by George M. Harding
geo621nf@hotmail.com
Use the browser back arrow to view previous page
J. Franklin McFadden's Transformation
of 620 College Avenue
Haverford, PA Â
Haydocks Garrigues farmhouse at
620 College Avenue, Haverford, PA was built 1865-1866.
This photo was taken about ten years later. Vivien Garrigues
provided the image above.
On February 2, 1900, William M. Farr (widower) and George Farr, Jr. sold 12.43 acres to J. Franklin McFadden, ESQ for $15,542 (1). The plot of land McFadden purchased included the farmhouse depicted in the above photo. The original farmhouse was part of a 132-acre farm purchased by Samuel Garrigues (carpenter, and farmer) in 1807. Sometime after Mr. McFadden purchased the property, the Farr brothers hired Fowler and Lummis, an engineering firm based in Philadelphia, to draw up plans to subdivide the remaining 78 acres (of the original 132 acres previously owned by Samuel Garrigues, then Haydock Garrigues). The land the Farr brothers owned stretched between Coopertown Road and Haverford Road, and between Buck Lane and College Avenue. See the following survey.
Circa 1900 - Fowler and Lummis Subdivision Plan
1900 J. L. Smith Atlas - Plate 14
During the same year, J. Franklin McFadden hired Richard S. Dewees to manage the twelve-acre summer estate. Richard was age 34 at the time and was the husband of Haydock's youngest daughter Mary (2).
The McFadden family's main residence was located on Delancey Street in Philadelphia, PA. (2).
Garrigues family papers indicate the farmhouse had sustained a substantial fire circa 1900. It is very likely the house burned all the way to the ground since Haverford Township did not create its five volunteer fire companies until 1916 (3). In 1901, J. Franklin McFadden the owner of the house at the time hired architects Messrs. Cope and Stewardson, of Philadelphia to design and build his new country house"Millbrook Farm."(4).
Six years later, the house and grounds were prominently featured in American Homes and Gardens. The new Pennsylvania Colonial house had third-floor dormer windows installed, a more substantial porch roof, and more substantial chimneys, with the wider side of the chimney facing toward the front of the house. Also, notice how the roofline narrows in width as it reaches its peak of the house.
House built by Haydock 1865-1866. Photo provided by Vivien Garrigues
This Pennsylvania Colonial house was rebuilt in 1901. (8). The photo was taken in 2022.
1908 A.H. Mueller -Overbrook to Paoli - Plate 11
By October 1907, McFadden had transformed the rustic twelve-acre property into a rich man's playground. The grounds were filled with vistas, "Sunken Gardens, Vegetable Gardens, and a Pond." There was also a tennis court installed in the backyard and a swimming pool for those who wanted to partake in outdoor activities. The summer estate was so charming, the property was showcased in the October 1907 issue of American Home and Gardens. Click on the following PDF files to view the article and photos.
Millbrook Farm 01
Millbrook Farm 02
During the same year, McFadden had purchased over 250 acres in Radnor Township and rehired architects Cope & Stewardson to build a bigger mansion on his new estate located at 555 Sproul Rd, Villanova, PA, Radnor Township, now the Radnor Valley Country Club.
Circa 1910, the McFaddens sold their Millbrook Farm and moved into their new summer estate in Villanova. Daniel B. Catherwood's wife Jessica became the new owner of the 12.5-acre Millbrook Farm in Haverford, PA. (5).
Sources:
1. On February 2, 1900, William M. Farr (widower) and George Farr, Jr. sell 12.434 acres to J. Franklin McFadden for $15,542. Recorded on February 8, 1900. The indenture can be found online: book 0W09, page 262. The document is located at the Recorder of Deeds office, Delaware County Courthouse in Media, PA.
2. The 1900 Census record shows McFadden's primary residence was located on Delancey Street in Philadelphia and Richard S. Dewees had become manager of Millbrook Farm and was living under the roof of Sidney Garrigues at 501 Oakley Road.
​
3. haverfordtownship.org/History_of_Haverford.html
​
4. October 1907 issue of American Home and Gardens, Notable American Homes, by Barr Ferree, pages 365 through 371.
5. According to the 1910 Census record Daniel B. Catherwood's wife Jessica had become the new owner of the 12.4-acre estate in Haverford, PA.