The major changes from my last post is that Sleighton is now sold, $11 million, to a company I know nothing about. The school from formally owned by Elwyn but it was sold for $11 million about a month ago to an owner I don't even know the name of. This new ownership can either be good or bad, but I am blank on their intentions. If anyone has any info on that, please please please leave a comment.
One other change is that the new owners are actually doing some work. I haven't been to Sleighton in a very long time because of the rise in police patrol on it. I plan to return soon. Anyway, the new owners cut some brush near the main building and are boarding up windows and openings where people can get in. The new boards can be seen from the road. Apparently people are ripping down these new boards and still getting in. If you were wondering why they put up boards, it's not to protect the buildings, it's to keep people out of the buildings so they don't sue whoever owns the property. People going here has been out of control, and sadly majority of people go there to break stuff. There also has still been no efforts to protect the buildings and who knows if there will ever be, Sleighton will probably end up being demolished sadly because these buildings would be far to expensive to repair. The thing I'm hoping is that they will save a bunch, like the church (which I just learned was built in the 60's, about 50 years after the other buildings), the J.S. Building (pictured above), and hopefully others.
If anything happens to Sleighton, don't expect it to be soon. The Franklin Mint property has historic buildings awaiting demolition and woods to be cut down, and a development to put in. This plan was first proposed in 2006 and still hasn't gone anywhere. There are no talks of anything at Sleighton yet, it lies on two townships, and the Franklin Mint project would likely happen first so it would not surprise me if it takes 5-10 years for something to happen. Now that really does no good except for letting me and others experience the beautiful property more and not having a stupid ugly development there, and of coarse still having a place for clowns to break stuff. There's almost no chance most these buildings will be saved unless I hit the lottery, but we can at least hope for some or at least half to be saved. Other good news is that 120 acres is protected farm land, which is almost half the property. This farm land never ever closed, it's been an active farm.
That's all I got for today. Here are some pics to close things out, and please comment if you have any updates, comments, or any other info, I would really appreciate it. And you can comment anonymously too.
Again, if you have any info, updates, or comments please comment, anyone can comment anonymously.
Check out my newest post on the development plan: http://unknowhistoricsites.blogspot.com/2013/05/beginning-of-end-for-sleighton-5413.html
Really great information and pictures. We stumbled upon Sleighton yesterday and your blog is really the best source of info out there. Thanks
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your interest. There is so much more I know that hasn't been posted so feel free to ask questions or request my email if you have a lot.
DeleteA photographer friend of mine had been to Sleighton Farm School a few months ago to take some shots. She suggested that I go since I have the same interest in old buildings. First I read your blog to learn more about the facility. Then, last Friday, January 18th, my daughter and I went and took some photographs of the now boarded up buildings. They are now posted in my flickr account - http://www.flickr.com/photos/jcapaldi/sets/72157632620428358/
ReplyDeleteI wonder if you know of any resource which I can use to identify the names of the buildings. There weren't many with their names outside the front. Any help that you can give would be much appreciated.
Thanks for your informative blog. I hope that you add more news as you hear it.
Best wishes - Jim Capaldi
Jim, I have a map somewhere in my inbox with the names of buildings. Shoot me an email at mikedaman758@yahoo.com and I will forward it too you. Thank you for your interest in this page by the way too. If you have any other questions I would be happy to answer them too.
DeleteThe whole situation is quite sad. Growing up in Upper Darby Ive witnessed so much history stamped into the ground. I hope the new owners have better intentions. You had mentioned theproperties near the Mint. Any idea on their history/origin? Ill see what record searches show for Sleighton.
ReplyDeleteI really don't know a lot about the mint and the properties, but I've talked to someone really interested in that before. Apparently there are a bunch of abandoned house back on that property that are close to 100 years old. One of those houses is required to be saved, but the rest.. Nah. There's a face book page called "you grew up in media if..." and some guy named Andrew talked about the mint sight a lot about 6 months ago on the page.
DeleteI just found out that it was Toll Brothers that bought it. They plan on developing the middletown Side. They are putting in a small golf course too. They have started Perk tests and marking the wet lands out there. So far no word on any plans on the school side of the road most of their plans seem to be for the farmers side of the road.
DeleteWhere did you here of this? I've been hearing so many rumors so if you have a source or anything let me know. Thanks
DeleteSleighton was purchased in Jan 2013 by Charles epps...found it online in the state of pa website....I am proud of little ole me discovering this
Delete:)
I went to the public meeting about this and they got a deal lined up with the toll brothers who have proposed a high density development.
DeleteHi, I have been reading through some of your posts because I am researching another local project. You did a nice job of bringing current information available. I was wondering if you could maybe provide some insight to my project.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all however, I want to say I've been very closely scouring the public land records of the area and I have not found Toll Brothers listed anywhere. I'm not a fan of them, so chances are, I would have noticed. I could be wrong, but as of 3/3/2013, Sleighton Farms still is a property holder in both Middletown and Edgemont Townships.
Now, not to stray too far, but I am researching a supposedly 17 acre tract of land that is for sale that borders the Grace Winery on Sweetwater Road. I can't seem to find out whether it is the on eastern side (Sleighton side) or the western side of the Winery and I'm waiting to hear from the realtor. I always thought that the intersection of Sweetwater and Valley Roads were surrounded by Sleighton Farmland. In order to figure out where the 17 acres is, I am trying to figure out who owns the wooded section of land bordering the southern side of Sweetwater Road. Sorry if its hard to visualize, but according to the parcel map, the woods are a part of the same parcel as the field that is on the corner of Valley and Sweetwater. If you turned down Sweetwater from the 3 way stop sign, there would be two crop fields on either side until the treeline starts. The land in question is on the left hand side from the point of entering the woods, all the way up to about where the Thornbury Township sign is. I am guessing its either the 17 acres, or its Sleighton land and the 17 acres is on the other side of the Winery in Thornbury Township. But if thats the case, I would imagine the homes would be pressed up against the Quarry. Sorry to run on, but between 3 Townships, this hasn't been easy finding answers. If you have any knowledge on the subject, I'd appreciate hearing about it.
Paul,
ReplyDeleteI have heard stuff about sleighton being sold and also stuff about Elwyn still owning it, which I'm pretty sure they still do. I actually do think a small potion of sleighton is in Thornton township. I don't really know a lot about that kind if property info, because like you pointed out, it is rather difficult and confusing trying to figure this out. I know that 125 acres of farmland there is protected by some delco agriculture program, but I don't know of it includes all portions of farmland
Thanks for the reply. In case your interested. Here are two of the listings. For some odd reason, there is no info on lot 3, but lots 1 & 2 are interesting to read about. You can see from the maps on the listings, there are no specific locations and they are both listed as being in the middle of Sleighton property. They are being offered with builder tie-ins so thats why they are listed so high for so few acres.
DeleteThanks again I'll let you know if I come across anything interesting,
Paul
Lot 1
Lot 2
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ReplyDeleteCheck out my newest post on the development plan: http://unknowhistoricsites.blogspot.com/2013/05/beginning-of-end-for-sleighton-5413.html
ReplyDelete