12 West Chester Pike
Built before 1930
List of Residents
| Name (* indicates store) | Years of Residence |
|---|---|
| William Samuel Ranck & Emma Graver Ranck | fl. 1930–1940 |
| James Gilbert Frazer & Molly P. Frazer | c. 1930 |
| *Donofrio's Tavern* | fl. 1938–1950 |
| Lieutenant George Jacob Mumma & Nellie Ferguson Mumma | c. 1940 |
| Samuel Kyle & Marion Kyle | c. 1950 |
| *Hilltop Realty Co.* | fl. 1956 |
| *Copy & Print* | fl. 2012 |
| *State Farm* | fl. 2016–2017 |
| *Siu Lum Academy* | c. 2019–present |
History
This building is part of a strip on West Chester Pike, across from the fire station. It was present in the 1930 census, but does not appear earlier. It contains a bottom floor for business and a top floor for residence.
1930 census: Secretary William is living with his family (Listed as 8 WCP)
| Name | Age | Relation to Head of Household |
|---|---|---|
| William S. Ranck | 53 | Head |
| Emma J. Ranck | 53 | Wife |
| William E. Ranck | 22 | Son |
| Richard Kauffman | 13 | Nephew |
1930 census: Ohioan pharmacist James living with his wife (Listed as 14 WCP)
| Name | Age | Relation to Head of Household |
|---|---|---|
| James G. Frazer | 29 | Head |
| Molly P. Frazer | 19 | Wife |
1940 census: Pressman George is living with his wife; Rancks are listed as living at 8 WCP.
| Name | Age | Relation to Head of Household |
|---|---|---|
| George J. Mumma | 31 | Head |
| Nellie Mumma | 27 | Wife |
| William S. Ranck | 64 | Head |
| Emma J. Ranck | 64 | Wife |
By 1938 (and at least through 1950), the lower floor was home to Donofrio's Tavern, which was owned by Albert Frank Donofrio of 12 Tenby Road. This thread, screenshotted below is from a Facebook post from January 24th, 2025, reminiscing about it.
In 1946, Charlotte Ridgely was listed as an occupant of the home when undergoing surgery. The following year, William died. The year after that, a fire blamed on a cigarette caused an estimated $13,000 in damages (2025$USD).
Philadelphia Inquirer, February 20th, 1948, page 3
1950 census: Private prison guard Samuel is living with his wife.
| Name | Age | Relation to Head of Household |
|---|---|---|
| Samuel Kyle | 56 | Head |
| Marion Kyle | 50 | Wife |
Hilltop Realty Co. was listed under the property in 1956, and Anthony Narcise made renovations to the place in 1984. From May 2009 to October 2009, the place was "for rent", and from at least April 2012 until October 2012, the place was a Copy & Print Center.
From November 2016 to July 2017, the place was a State Farm. It has been Siu Lum Academy, a Kung Fu & Tai Chi place, since sometime between October 2018 and 2019.
