Towamencin Township | |
|---|---|
 | |
 Seal | |
| Motto: A Community of Tradition and Vision | |
 Location of Towamencin Township in Montgomery County | |
| Coordinates:40°14′23″N75°19′48″W / 40.23972°N 75.33000°W /40.23972; -75.33000 | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Montgomery |
| Erected | 1729 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Council–manager |
| • Township Manager | David Kraynik |
| Area | |
• Total | 9.68 sq mi (25.1 km2) |
| • Land | 9.68 sq mi (25.1 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0 km2) |
| Elevation | 226 ft (69 m) |
| Population (2010) | |
• Total | 17,578 |
• Estimate (2018)[2] | 18,491 |
| • Density | 1,820/sq mi (701/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| Area codes | 215, 267, 445,610, 484 |
| FIPS code | 42-091-77152 |
| Website | www |
Towamencin Township is ahome-ruletownship inMontgomery County,Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 17,578 at the 2010 census. It is part of theNorth Penn School District and theNorth Penn Valley region that is centered around the borough ofLansdale. Towamencin has residential neighborhoods, historic farmhouses, recreational facilities, many schools, and open spaces. The community is a mix of residential, commercial and rural development. The Township is centrally located withinMontgomery County with easy access to thePennsylvania Turnpike’sNortheast Extension.
The name Towamencin is of Native American origin, although there exists some disagreement about the name's history. Some early sources, such as the1850 United States census, record the township's name as "Towamensing."[3] The Towamensing name appears on local tax records as late as 1922,[4] although the1920 census records the township with the modern spelling of Towamencin.[5] According toHistory of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, Volume II, both the Towamensing and Towamencin spellings were in use circa 1884.[6] The same source cites Towamensing as the original spelling, but notes that the Towamencin spelling was in use for government records inNorristown.[6] It is unclear when the modern spelling of Towamencin was universally adopted.
The name "Towamensing" isLenape in origin and means either "the place of feeding cattle" or "pasture land,"[7] or "a fording place at the falls".[8] However, an alternative source claims that, while the name Towamencin is ofNative American origin, it instead means "poplar tree."[9]
A third source claims that the name was derived from an existing Native American name for Towamencin Creek, rather than the creek being named for the township.[10] This claim is supported by the petition to erect the Township, which indicated that "The desire of the Subscibers is that the township may be called Touamensen being the Indian name of the Creek yt springs & runs through the same."[11]
An alternative local legend is that a local landowner, Heinrich Fry, purchased some land near what is now known as the Towamencin Creek. On this tract of land was a Native village whose chief spoke broken English. He observed one day two men clearing trees near the creek and said "Towha-men-seen", meaning "Two men seen." As the legend goes, the chief's pronunciation stuck, and is how Towamencin got its name.[12]
The first settlers, of German, Welsh, and Dutch descent, arrived in Towamencin Township around the turn of the 18th century. They mainly pursued agricultural endeavors to sustain their livelihood.
The first grant of land in Towamencin Township was in 1703 fromWilliam Penn's Commissioners to Benjamin Furley on June 8. The Commissioners granted 1,000 acres (4 km2) to him. On June 17 of that same year, Abraham Tennis and Jan Lucken bought the property from him, and then divided the land in half in 1709. TheEdward Morgan Log House stands on land that was part of 600 acres (2.4 km2) granted to Griffith Jones by the Commissioners. Edward Morgan purchased 309 acres (1.25 km2) of this land, which included an existing "dwelling house", from Griffith Jones on February 26, 1708. In 1720, his daughter Sarah, who in 1734 would give birth to the famous frontiersmanDaniel Boone, married Squire Boone.[13]The land containing the house was then deeded to John Morgan, son of Edward, on August 23, 1723, as part of a 104-acre (.42 km2) tract.[14]
Towamencin Township was erected when the Court of Quarter Sessions of Philadelphia County confirmed a petition presented to its session held on March 3, 1728/1729 (O.S.) [March 14, 1729 (N.S.)], requesting the formation of a township of about 5,500 acres.[11]
In 1734, there were 32 landholders within the Township, with William Tennis having the most area at 250 acres (1 km2).
The American Indians who inhabited the area were theLenni Lenape. They lived inPennsylvania, as well asDelaware,New Jersey, and parts ofMaryland. They were divided into three tribes: the Turtle, Turkeys, and Wolf, which were subdivided into clans, each clan having a name representing the character and situation of the tribe as a whole.
The Indians of Towamencin Township are of theDelaware Nation. They had a settlement in the southwest section of the Township along the Towamencin Creek. They established friendly relations with the settlers when they came to the Township. There are some accounts of violence attributed to the Indians, but they cannot be proven and are probably fictional.[citation needed] There are many accounts of Indians helping to tend the sick, and trading food and goods with the settlers.
It is not recorded when the tribes of Indians left Towamencin; it is suspected they left after theRevolutionary War.[citation needed]
The Maltese Cross of the Towamencin Volunteer Fire Company has an American Indian in the center.
Pennsylvania is known as the Keystone State for its role in theRevolution, and as one of the oldest settlements during the time, Towamencin Township played a part: the Township had encampments of soldiers, had many citizens that served, and was the retreating place forGeneral Washington and his troops after theBattle of Germantown.
TheContinental Army troops were in Towamencin fromOctober 8, 1777, to October 16, 1777 and camped in the Northern section of the Township. The Township provided a secure area to rest, without fear of surprise attack by theBritish.[9]
Washington commandeeredFrederick Wampole's house to establish his quarters and conducted military duties from there. The house was located on Wambold Road.
General Francis Nash was wounded at theBattle of Germantown and was carried fromGermantown to Towamencin. He was cared for in a house, according to Washington's writings, located "a mile-and-a-quarter south of the Great North Wales Turnpike," now Sumneytown Pike,[9][15] along with other wounded men of theBattle of Germantown. He died two days later and is buried at the present-day Towamencin Mennonite Church cemetery, known then as the Towamencin Mennonite Meetinghouse.
It was reported that Henry Cassel, whose land was used as an encampment by the Colonists, submitted to theContinental Congress an estimate of damages to his property byWashington's Army. The damage was to 696 fence rails used for firewood. The cost to replace those rails was 8.14pounds. It is not known whether the newly formed government paid.[9]
In May 2022, the Towamencin Board of Supervisors approved the sale of the township's sewer system, with four in favor and one against.[16] The privatization effort was met with opposition by some residents, and prior to the authorization of the sale, a group known as Towamencin N.O.P.E. (Neighbors Opposing Privatization Efforts) was set up in an attempt to block the move.[16][17] Following the approval of the sale, Towamencin NOPE pivoted to campaigning for the township to adopt ahome rule charter in an attempt to block the sale.[18] In response to the move, the Board of Supervisors issued a statement questioning the legality of unilaterally terminating the sale,[19] while a rival group, TRUST Towamencin, was established to oppose the adoption of home rule.[20]
OnNovember 8, 2022, residents of Towamencin voted in favor of forming a government study commission to draft a home rule charter. Unofficial results showed that 60% of residents voted in favor of forming the commission, and that the full slate of candidates backed by Towamencin NOPE backing the charter had been elected to the commission.[21] In March 2023, the government study commission put forward a proposed home rule charter to be placed on the ballot during the May 16 primary. Under the proposal, the township would retain its form of government, but with provisions for increased government transparency, a prohibition on the sale of municipally owned water systems, and allowing residents to submit initiatives or referendums to the ballot.[22]
On May 16, 2023, residents of the township voted in favor of adopting the proposed home rule charter, with approximately 53% of voters supporting the measure. The new charter took effect on July 1, 2023.[23][24]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 9.7 square miles (25.1 km2), all land. It is drained via theSkippack Creek into thePerkiomen Creek andSchuylkill River. Its villages include Inglewood,Kulpsville, and Oak Park (also in Hatfield Township.)
According to theKöppen climate classification system, Towamencin is located in zoneDfa, indicating ahumid continental climate with hot summers.[25][26] ItsUSDA planthardiness zone is 6b, except in some lower areas where it is 7a.[27] The warmest month is typically July, with an average maximum temperature of 85.7 °F (29.8 °C).[28] Between 1895 and 2019, the average July maximum temperature never fell below 81 °F (27 °C), and rose above 90 °F (32 °C) in 1955, 1999, and 2011.[28] Over the same period, the January mean temperature ranged from 19.3 °F (−7 °C) in 1918 and 1977 to a peak of 42 °F (5.5 °C) in 1932.[28] January 1918 also recorded the lowest average maximum temperature, at 27.5 °F (−2.5 °C).[28] The typical January has a daily mean temperature of 31 °F (−0.5 °C).[29] The mean temperature in July is 76 °F (24 °C).[29] The hot season lasts from late May through mid-September, while the cold season typically runs from December through early March.[30] The highest recorded temperature in the township was 103.2 °F (39.6 °C) in 2011, and the lowest recorded temperature was −10.7 °F (−23.7 °C) in 1984.[28]
| Climate data for Towamencin Township, 1981–2010 Averages | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 73 (23) | 75 (24) | 85 (29) | 95 (35) | 96 (36) | 99 (37) | 103.2 (39.6) | 101.5 (38.6) | 102 (39) | 89 (32) | 83 (28) | 75 (24) | 103.2 (39.6) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 39.1 (3.9) | 42.3 (5.7) | 50.6 (10.3) | 62.6 (17.0) | 72.9 (22.7) | 81.6 (27.6) | 85.7 (29.8) | 84.2 (29.0) | 77.1 (25.1) | 65.6 (18.7) | 54.6 (12.6) | 43.2 (6.2) | 63.3 (17.4) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 21.8 (−5.7) | 24.0 (−4.4) | 30.9 (−0.6) | 40.5 (4.7) | 49.9 (9.9) | 59.5 (15.3) | 64.4 (18.0) | 62.9 (17.2) | 54.9 (12.7) | 42.9 (6.1) | 34.5 (1.4) | 26.1 (−3.3) | 42.7 (5.9) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −10.7 (−23.7) | −6 (−21) | 0 (−18) | 18 (−8) | 29 (−2) | 39 (4) | 49 (9) | 43 (6) | 34 (1) | 25 (−4) | 13 (−11) | −2 (−19) | −10.7 (−23.7) |
| Averageprecipitation inches (mm) | 3.33 (85) | 2.70 (69) | 3.73 (95) | 3.90 (99) | 4.19 (106) | 4.10 (104) | 4.73 (120) | 4.04 (103) | 4.53 (115) | 4.04 (103) | 3.62 (92) | 3.89 (99) | 46.8 (1,190) |
| Average precipitation days(≥ 0.1 in) | 11 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 123 |
| Averagedew point °F (°C) | 20.8 (−6.2) | 22.3 (−5.4) | 27.8 (−2.3) | 37.6 (3.1) | 48.5 (9.2) | 59.2 (15.1) | 63.6 (17.6) | 63.1 (17.3) | 56.5 (13.6) | 44.9 (7.2) | 35.1 (1.7) | 25.7 (−3.5) | 42.1 (5.6) |
| Mean dailydaylight hours | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 12 |
| Source: PRISM[28] | |||||||||||||
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1800 | 413 | — | |
| 1810 | 488 | 18.2% | |
| 1820 | 571 | 17.0% | |
| 1830 | 668 | 17.0% | |
| 1840 | 763 | 14.2% | |
| 1850 | 904 | 18.5% | |
| 1860 | 1,137 | 25.8% | |
| 1870 | 1,209 | 6.3% | |
| 1880 | 1,282 | 6.0% | |
| 1890 | 1,140 | −11.1% | |
| 1900 | 1,005 | −11.8% | |
| 1910 | 1,160 | 15.4% | |
| 1920 | 1,166 | 0.5% | |
| 1930 | 1,275 | 9.3% | |
| 1940 | 1,412 | 10.7% | |
| 1950 | 1,604 | 13.6% | |
| 1960 | 3,724 | 132.2% | |
| 1970 | 4,738 | 27.2% | |
| 1980 | 11,112 | 134.5% | |
| 1990 | 14,167 | 27.5% | |
| 2000 | 17,597 | 24.2% | |
| 2010 | 17,578 | −0.1% | |
| 2020 | 18,009 | 2.5% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[31][32] | |||
As of the 2010 census, the township was 85.1% White, 4.1% Black or African American, 0.1% Native American, 8.4% Asian, and 1.6% were two or more races. 2.5% of the population were of Hispanic or Latino ancestry.[33]
As of thecensus[34] of 2000, 17,597 people, 6,872 households, and 4,810 families resided in the township. The population density was 1,815.6 inhabitants per square mile (701.0/km2). There were 7,035 housing units at an average density of 725.9 per square mile (280.3/km2). The racial makeup of the township was 88.30%White, 3.47%African American, 0.09%Native American, 6.23%Asian, 0.02%Pacific Islander, 0.52% fromother races, and 1.37% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 1.65% of the population.
There were 6,872 households, out of which 34.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.3% weremarried couples living together, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.0% were non-families. 25.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.11.
In the township the population was spread out, with 25.2% under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 30.5% from 25 to 44, 24.6% from 45 to 64, and 13.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.5 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $66,736, and the median income for a family was $80,167. Males had a median income of $56,870 versus $36,879 for females. Theper capita income for the township was $30,559. About 1.4% of families and 2.9% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 2.1% of those under age 18 and 7.8% of those age 65 or over.
From its founding through much of the 20th century, Towamencin was a rural community and accordingly its economy was built around agriculture.[9][35][36] In addition to agricultural pursuits, in the late 18th century the township was home to two inns[37] and four mills.[38] By 1884, while the township remained primarily agricultural, it was also home to "two hotels, one store, [and] several carriage manufacturies" as well as localartisans.[39] Another mill and adjoining general store was erected in 1894, which still stands today as a restaurant.[40]
Today, Towamencin is asuburban community and its economy has shifted away from agriculture. The modern Towamencin is acommuter town. Only 6% of Towamencin's population both live and work within the boundaries of the township.[41] The average commute time for residents of the township is 31 minutes, longer than the averages of both Montgomery County and Pennsylvania as a whole.[41] The largest employer in Towamencin is theNorth Penn School District.[42][43] Other major employers in the township are Greene Tweed & Company, Inc., andSKF USA, both in themanufacturing sector.[42][43] According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 66.3% of the township's working age population were in the labor force between 2014 and 2018.[44] This is slightly higher than the overall U.S. labor force participation rate for the same period, when it was approximately 62%.[45]
Towamencin Township is classified as asecond-class township by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.[46] The township is governed by a five-member Board of Supervisors, who are elected on an at-large basis and serve a six-year term of office. Elections to the Board of Supervisors take place in odd-numbered years, with elections staggered such that two seats come up for election every two years, with the exception of the sixth year in the cycle, when only one seat comes up for election. Under Section 607 of the Second Class Township Code the Board of Supervisors is "charged with the general governance of the township and the execution of legislative, executive and administrative powers in order to ensure sound fiscal management and to secure the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the township."[47] The Board of Supervisors is further empowered to appoint thetownship manager,[48] as well as the membership of various boards and commissions, including the Zoning Hearing Board and the township's Planning Commission. The Board meets twice monthly to review all issues before the township and provide policy direction to the appointed staff. During the months of October, November, and December public hearings are held for the purpose of reviewing the budget for the following year.
As of May 2025, the Board of Supervisors consists of:[49]
On January 24, 2025, former Vice Chairwoman Laura C. Smith was seen and recorded ending a public social media post with aNazi salute,[50] emulating the same gesture repeatedly made byElon Musk during Donald Trump's presidential inauguration on January 20, 2025.[51] On January 26, 2025, Smith resigned from the Towamencin Township Board of Supervisors.[52] On May 14, 2025, Amer Barghouth was sworn in as the new township supervisor after being appointed by the county court of common pleas. Barghouth will server the remainder of Smith's term through 2025.[53]
| Year | Republican | Democratic |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 42.0%4,964 | 56.1%6,625 |
| 2020 | 41.7%4,835 | 57.4%6,675 |
| 2016 | 43.5%4,500 | 51.7%5,353 |
| 2012 | 49.3%4,735 | 49.5%4,747 |
| 2008 | 45.9%4,463 | 53.2%5,166 |
| 2004 | 54.0%5,150 | 45.5%4,343 |
| 2000 | 54.2%4,366 | 43.0%3,458 |
| 1996 | 50.2%3,436 | 39.6%2,708 |
| 1992 | 44.3%3,060 | 34.2%2,364 |
Historically, Towamencin leanedRepublican. Prior to the founding of the Republican Party, the township was known to favor theFederalist Party and theWhig Party.[54] In the1832 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election,Anti-Masonic candidateJoseph Ritner won 85% of the vote in Towamencin.[54] Despite being a descendant of one of Towamencin's founding families,Jacksonian DemocratJacob Fry Jr. won only 13 of Towamencin's votes in his1836 campaign forPennsylvania's 5th congressional district, compared to 77 votes for Whig candidate Daniel M. Mulvaney.[54] In1863, the township voted Republican by a margin of 186 to 79,[55] and in the1896 United States presidential election the township favoredWilliam McKinley by a margin of 245 to 36.[54] In the 2001 municipal election, five Republicans ran for the Board of Supervisors compared to one Democrat,[56] and between 1993 and 2021 all members of the Board of Supervisors were Republicans. Republicans also historically held a slight edge in voter registration. As of May 27, 2020, there were 12,876 registered voters in the township. Of those, 5,488 (42.62%) were registered Republicans, compared to 5,418 (42.07%) registeredDemocrats, with the remainder unaffiliated or members of third parties.[57]
Despite these historic trends, however, as with the rest of Montgomery County, the Democratic Party has made gains in Towamencin in the twenty-first century. In 2008, Republicans accounted for 51% of registered voters in the township,[58] compared to 46% in 2016[59] and 44% in 2019.[60] Over the same period, the share of registered Democrats rose from 34.74%[58] to 40.48%.[60] By May 2022, the number of registered Democrats eclipsed the share of registered Republicans, with the Democratic Party holding a lead of 221 registered voters.[61]
Electorally, Towamencin was also carried by the Democratic nominee forPresident of the United States in each election since2008. Further, Towamencin voted for DemocraticGovernorTom Wolf in2014[62] and during the2018 midterm elections the township also voted for the Democratic candidate for each office on the ballot.[63] During the 2021 municipal elections, Democrat Joyce F. Snyder was also elected to the Board of Supervisors.[64] Snyder's victory made her the first Democrat to hold a seat on the board since 1992, and was further accompanied by the victory of Democratic nominee Melissa Fusco to the position of township auditor.[65]
As of 2020, the township is now part of:
_from_the_overpass_for_Kriebel_Road_in_Towamencin_Township%2c_Montgomery_County%2c_Pennsylvania.jpg)
As of 2016 there were 73.91 miles (118.95 km) of public roads in Towamencin Township, of which 3.20 miles (5.15 km) were maintained by thePennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC), 12.98 miles (20.89 km) were maintained by thePennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and 57.73 miles (92.91 km) were maintained by the township.[69]
ThePennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension (I-476) is the most prominent highway serving Towamencin Township. It follows a southeast–northwest alignment through the center of the township, interchanging withPennsylvania Route 63. PA 63 follows an east–west alignment through the northern portions of the township by utilizing Sumneytown Pike, Forty Foot Road and Welsh Road. One additional numbered highway,Pennsylvania Route 363, follows the township's southeastern boundary.
SEPTA providesSuburban Bus service to the northeastern portion of Towamencin Township alongRoute 132, which runs between theMontgomery Mall andTelford. TheLansdale station alongSEPTA Regional Rail'sLansdale/Doylestown Line is located in neighboringLansdale.[70]
The township is a member of theNorth Penn School District.North Penn High School is located within the township, as are General Nash, Walton Farm, and Inglewood elementary schools. Private schools within Towamencin includeDock Mennonite Academy and Calvary Baptist School.[71]
Towamencin is also home to the North Montco Technical Career Center, avocational school jointly operated by the North Penn,Souderton Area,Perkiomen Valley,Wissahickon, andMethacton school districts.[72]
The Culinary Arts Institute ofMontgomery County Community College is located in downtown Towamencin.[73][74]
| Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 Census | Towamencin | PA | US | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number | Nbr | Nbr | ||
| Population 25 and older | 12,085 | |||
| Number | Pct | Pct | Pct | |
| High school graduates (includes equivalency) | 2,657 | 22.0 | 38.1 | 28.6 |
| Some college, or associate degree | 3,246 | 26.9 | 21.4 | 27.4 |
| Bachelor's degree | 3,246 | 26.9 | 14.0 | 15.5 |
| Master's, professional or doctorate degree | 1,957 | 16.2 | 8.4 | 8.9 |
| SCHOOL ENROLLMENT | Number | |||
| Population 3 years and over enrolled in school | 4,527 | |||
| Number | Pct | Pct | Pct | |
| Preschool and kindergarten | 638 | 14.1 | 11.6 | 11.9 |
| Grades 1–12 | 2,904 | 64.1 | 66.0 | 65.3 |
| College | 985 | 21.8 | 22.4 | 22.8 |
Towamencin has more than 10 sites and 300 acres (1.2 km2) of parklands and open spaces, ranging in size from neighborhood squares to sprawling meadows. There are natural resource areas as well as active recreation sites with varying amenities including tennis courts, play lots, jogging/exercise trails, picnic pavilions, playing fields, basketball courts and sand volleyball courts.
In 2006, the Board of Supervisors adopted an extensive Open Space Plan in accordance with the Montgomery County Green Fields/Green Towns Program[75] that provides open space grants for acquisition, development and historic structure protection efforts.
Recreation activities are planned and operated by the Parks and Recreation Department.[77] Youth Sports Leagues are run by TYA.[78]
Towamencin along withLower Salford Township share the home to Mainland Golf Course[79] located in the North Western section of the township spanning the border of both.
Towamencin istwinned with:
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
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