As previously reported, 236 N. Aberdeen Ave in North Wayne is a historic home at risk. Well, thanks to Ted Pollard and the other fine folks at The Radnor Community Preservation Coalition, we have found out how crucially important this house is to the history and fabroc of Wayne itself!

Before we get into the history of 236 N. Aberdeen Ave. as we have dug up thus far, a note about the Radnor Community Preservation Coalition. One word: BRAVO! Good for these residents for taking a stand and bringing like minded community groups and civic associations together. They can be reached at .

Here is a link to their "hot list": Preservation Hot Spots in Radnor Township

236 N. Aberdeen is at risk #16

Now...back to 236 N. Aberdeen (are you listening Burlingham and Buckley?)
236 N. Aberdeen is purportedly the home that famous Wayne builder Jonathan Lengel lived in. Mr. Lengel was part of the founding fabric of Wayne itself:

Wayne PA: Builders and Architects

Most of Wayne’s most historical structures can attribute their existence to five men. W. L. and F. L. Price were the architects of most of the houses in North and South Wayne. Herman Wendell and Frank Smith were a team of builders who built mainly houses designed by Price in North and South Wayne. The team of David K. Boyd and Jonathan Lengel built some of Wayne’s most recognizable landmarks, both past and present.

David K. Boyd and Jonathan D. Lengel

David Knickerbacker Boyd’s first assignment as an architect was for several Wendell & Smith houses in Wayne, Radnor and St. David’s. At the time he was working with his brother in a firm called Boyd & Boyd. Eventually the two separated, and David started his own practice which he ran until 1914. He became very influential in the architecture and building codes of Philadelphia and New York, and is quoted as being one of the only people to propose a set-back principle to the design of skyscrapers. Boyd oversaw the construction of almost every building in Philadelphia, and by 1931 had designed, supervised or directed 3,000 buildings. Although he had a major influence on the world of architecture on the east coast, one place whose influence of Boyd is most evident is Wayne. Many of the landmark buildings in Wayne built from about 1890-1910 were designed by Boyd.

All of the buildings designed by Boyd were built by Jonathan D. Lengel. Although their association is probably limited to Wayne, it is interesting that the two would maintain such a close business relationship.....In addition to Boyd’s projects, Lengel built the North Wayne fire house, Union (Masonic) Hall, and the Waynewood Hotel. He came to Wayne in 1888 and continued building here for decades. His sons continued the family construction tradition into the 1960’s. Lengel had an office in the Wayne Title and Trust building, on the corner of Lancaster and Audobon Avenues.

The things Jonathan Lengel built or was involved in building in North Wayne is purported to be the following list of structures - some of which are very familiar even today:

1893: Radnor Memorial Library
1897-98: The Central Baptist Church
1898: The Saturday Club
189?: Temperence Society Coffee House
1901: Wayne Grammar School
Waldheim mansion
1909: Radnor High School
1913: Walmarthon estate (mansion and numerous other buildings)
In addition to the list of Boyd buildings)

1892: Radnor Fire House
1892: Union Hall
189?: Hale and Menagh grocery store, Aberdeen & Lancaster Aves.
1906: Waynewood Hotel

(Many thanks to www.waynepa.com for this list and info on Mr. Lengel)

When we were digging around, we also discovered that the woman who lived in 236 N. Aberdeen from 1948 to 1994 (see Folio Number: 36-01-00015-00 /Deed Book Page 1685/1494 on Public Access Folio Inquiry - also, are those real real estate tax delinquincies on this property that these people wish to develop? Are they real or hasn't Delco updated their website?) was supposedly someone by the name of Leslie D. Wilkins. Was she any relation to Jonathan Lengel? is she the same Leslie D. Wilkins honored for 44 years of service with the Radnor Fire Company Auxilary? Isn't it true a lot of volunteer firefighters historically hailed from North Wayne and "Little Chicago"? Kind of like parts of Bryn Mawr including Central Ave? And we all know what happened to Central Ave, Summit Grove Ave, etc don't we? (but we digress)

Why not peel back what appears to be asbestos siding and restore this house? Everyone knows there is a market for restored Victorians in North Wayne, right? How would the Gulph Creek be treated if this house would be demolished? After all, we're talking steep slopes, stormwater management, and a live body of water, right? And what of parking? This is perhaps THE MOST CONGESTED residential street - there are regular folks then student houses overflowing with vehicles, true?

Check out these cool houses on N. Aberdeen:

Save this house. Save the neighborhood. Extend the historic district. Protect the stream. Say no to overdevelopment.

Here is something interesting:

(mis-identified) - Discussion of North Wayne Historic District

And something else:

Wayne History: Radnor Fire Company

...A year later, the Wayne Public Safety Association in South Wayne raised money to build their own fire house, after the fire at George Aman’s house. The building was constructed in 1892 on Audobon (later South Wayne) Avenue by local builder Jonathan Lengel, and a chemical engine and ladder truck were supplied by the Public Safety Association. Horses were supplied by veterinarian Dr. Leinhardt, later fire chief, and also R.H. Johnson & Co. The first fire chief there was florist Frank Adelberger. The fire house itself was rented to schools, including Miss Farrell’s School and the Radnor School District in the 1897-98 school year....

Isn't ironic that this house at Plant and Willow which looks not only derelict but abandoned (only it's inhabited) survives and this house at 236 N. Aberdeen is at risk? If you ask folks in this neighborhood, they don't care if this house at Plant and Willow were to leave (unless it became an unsavory use like public storage or another garage), yet they DO wish 236 N. Aberdeen to stay?

Here check out what some call the living haunted house at Willow and Plant and wonder why it survives when other homes do not: