Delaware County Ranks 10 in Pennsylvania Counties for Having Oldest Homes

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The Delaware County Courthouse in Media, completed in 1869.
Image via stacker.com.

It seems like Delaware County would have some of the oldest homes, being next door to the city where the nation started.

In fact, Delaware County ranked 10th on Stacker’s list of 30 counties in Pennsylvania with the oldest homes, writes Zack Abrams and Erin Joslyn for stacker.com. 

Nationwide, about 12.8% of all housing units in America were built in 1939 or before.

Here in Delaware County, 22 percent of homes were built in 1939 or earlier.

The county has 224,417 homes, with 1956 being the median year homes were built here, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

The nation’s history of housing can be traced back to 1638 when immigrant Swedes introduced the log cabin alongside traditional Native American dwellings.

Pre-World War II American architecture has its own charm with high ceilings, crown molding, hardwood floors and ornate details.

The Gilded Age at the close of the 19th century created huge mansions paid for by “Robber Barons” who amassed personal fortunes.

Though many of these estates deteriorated because of neglect, or lack of funds, architectural preservationists and local historical societies have worked to save these homes from demolition in places like Delaware County.

Read more at stacker.com about the counties with the oldest homes in Pennsylvania.

Visit Santa Fe, New Mexico to visit the oldest house in America.

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