101 West Chester Pike (now demolished)
No bedrooms or bathrooms anymore
Built between 1897 and 1907
Inhabitants
| Names | Years |
|---|---|
| Carl John Grafstrom & Lulu Vasant Grafstrom | 1907–1911? |
| W.I. Schaffer | 1911–? |
| Herschel Elmer Shortlidge, Sr. (Realtor) | at least 1926–1938 |
| Herman Sloan (Realtor) | fl. 1932 |
| Cella Realty Management (Realtor) | fl. 1939–1941 |
| Francis Bernard Murphy | fl. 1941–1962 |
| Nancy G. Beck | fl. 1948 |
| Llanerch Carpet Co. | fl. 1956–1969 |
| John Gordon | fl. 1977 |
History
There is no known description of this home. It was originally owned by Charles S. Taylor, who sold the land to Carl Grafstrom, a Swedish immigrant, in 1907 for $13,275.
1910 census: Druggist Carl living with his wife and brother.
| Name | Age | Relation to Head of Household |
|---|---|---|
| C. John Grafstrom | 33 | Head |
| Lulu Grafstrom | 32 | Wife |
| Abraham Grafstrom | 31 | Brother |
Grafstrom was a druggist, and likely operated the drug store/grocery store that is now the Llanerch Volunteer Fire Co.. The building was reported sold to a W.I. Schaffer by the Sheriff in 1911 for $50, although Grafstrom is listed as the owner on the 1913 Atlas of Llanerch. Grafstrom firmly moved from the home in 1913, where he took up residence in Highland Park, in Pittsburgh.
From at least 1926 to 1931 (and potentially to 1938), realtor Hercshel E. Shortlidge conducted his business out of the building. He died suddenly in 1938. Concurrently, Herman Sloan (later the head of the Delaware County Real Estate Board) operated in the building.
Philadelphia Inquirer, September 13th, 1938, page 9
At least between 1939 and 1941, Cella Realty Management operated in the building. During which, Samuel L. Aikin, of Irish descent and of 7267 Calvin Road, Upper Darby, had a heart attack whilst in their office. He did nor survive. Although it's unspecified when he lived there, he and his wife were once renters on 20 Llandaff Road.
Delaware County Daily Times, November 16th, 1940, page 11
Other residents living there during the 1940s include Nancy Beck and Francis Murphy. Murphy, however, was a volunteer firefighter living at the address when the home caught fire. Luckily, the fire department (right next door) was able to respond to the fire, which started in the chimney. No injuries or serious damage was reported.
Philadelphia Inquirer & Delaware County Daily Times, November 27th, 1962, pages 25 & 32
1950 census: Grocer Francis is living with his family.
| Name | Age | Relation to Head of Household |
|---|---|---|
| Francis B. Murphy | 45 | Head |
| Helen Murphy | 39 | Wife |
| Frances Murphy | 13 | Daughter |
| Jane Murphy | 4 | Daughter |
At least between 1956 and 1969, Llanerch Carpet Co. operated an office in the building (which may have had 6 total units?). Below is their logo.
In 1977, resident John Gordon burgled an Upper Darby woman, Mary Lukens, and was arrested.
At some point the home was demolished, but the timeline is unclear and I can't find any information on the actual event. It's evident that it was demolished, because the home is now a parking lot for the Llanerch Volunteer Fire Company. They purchased the property in 1978 for $67,500. It is not clear whether or not the property was destroyed before or after that point. If you have a photograph of the historic home, please contact me and send in the photo for publication!