Penn Valley, Pennsylvania

Penn Valley is a town in Lower Merion Township, Pennsylvania. Penn Valley residents share a zip code with either Narberth or Wynnewood because the town does not have its own post office. However, Penn Valley is its own distinct community with its own civic association.

Shopping

Although Penn Valley is residential, it contains a variety of shopping, mostly located on Montgomery Avenue. It houses a Staples, an Acme Market and a Wawa. Other smaller eateries and shops are in the area, including the Penn Valley Pub, the Sweet Trading Company and Main Line Cycles.

History

Penn Valley is one of the most Historic places in all of Pennsylvania. It houses the Penn Valley Women's Club, which was built in 1826-1828 where it served as a one-room weekday school and a place for Sunday religious gatherings. The original club was replaced with a new building, in 1876. However, that building was torn down, around 1926, but its remains can still be as of today. The original Penn Valley Women's Club is still visible and now houses he Penn Valley Civic Association. It was given repairs in the year, 2016. Another historic building was located on 200 Fairview Road as a small frame house with a Queen Porch built for the Centennial. Even though the house had Class 2 Historical status the township's Historical Committee reached a compromise allowing the house to be demolished after realizing fire damage from a basement fire would cost an extensive amount to fix. The original house was demolished in August 2013 and a new house was completed in late 2014.

Education

Schools

Nearly all of Penn Valley's public school children attended Penn Valley Elementary School and Welsh Valley Middle School, which is, part of Lower Merion School District. When it comes to High School children have a choice between Lower Merion High School and Harriton High School.

Colleges

While no colleges are located directly in Penn Valley, many campuses are in the area. Saint Joseph's University is a little over 10 minutes away with parts of its campus located in Merion and Bala Cynwyd. Villanova University, with it's main campus along Lancaster Avenue. Other nearby colleges include Rosemont College, and Haverford College.

Politics

In the state legislature, Penn Valley is in the 148th District represented by Mary Jo Daley , as well as Daylin Leach in the Pennsylvania Senate.

Notable residents

• Bobby Rydell, a singer from the 60s famous for Wildwood Days living in Penn Valley.
• M. Night Shyamalan, a movie writer and director, grew up in Penn Valley.
• Teddy Pendergrass, a soul singer, lived in Penn Valley.
• Garry Maddox, a former Phillies center fielder.
• Aaron McKie, a former 76ers shooting guard and current assistant coach for the team.
• Lawrence Summers, Ph.D., American economist, former United States Secretary of the Treasury, former president of Harvard University, and current chief economic advisor to President Barack Obama.
• Bernard Pierce, former Temple University football star and current Jacksonville Jaguars player grew up in the area.