Editing Souderton, Pennsylvania (section)

==History==
'''Souderton''' occupies a land that was historically inhabited by the [[Lenape|Lenni Lenape]] for thousands of years. The first [[Welsh people|Welsh]] settlers, John Mathias and Thomas Morgan, established their settlement in the vicinity around 1710, near the intersection of School Lane and Chestnut Street where '''Souderton''' stands today. The town was originally named Welshtown, because of its Welsh influence.

The first person to own land in what is now '''Souderton''' was a man by the name of George Stuart. He built a log cabin in or around what is now known as West Street Park. Stuart owned many acres and began selling them off in tracts. In 1734, he sold 1,000 acres to George Cressman, which eventually became the Borough of Souderton.<ref>{{Cite web |title=George Cressman - Mapping West Philadelphia 1777 |url=https://maps.archives.upenn.edu/WestPhila1777/view-parcel.php?pid=10281 |access-date=2024-03-06 |website=maps.archives.upenn.edu}}</ref> This parcel of land was approximately bounded by what are now Reliance Road, County Line Road, Cherry Lane, and Cowpath Road.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Images of America: Souderton |date=November 7, 2011 |publisher=Arcadia Publishing |isbn=978-0738576343 |pages=7–8}}</ref>

In 1755, 225 acres were sold to German immigrant Johannes 'John' Benner.<ref>{{Cite web |title=John Benner - Mapping West Philadelphia 1777 |url=https://maps.archives.upenn.edu/WestPhila1777/view-parcel.php?pid=10277 |access-date=2024-03-06 |website=maps.archives.upenn.edu}}</ref> He constructed a log residence approximately 200 feet from a stream that flows into the [[Skippack Creek]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-27 |title=Johannes "John" Schenbach Benner |url=https://www.geni.com/people/Johannes-John-Benner/6000000173353060844 |access-date=2024-03-06 |website=geni_family_tree |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 1835, [[Henry O. Souder]] and his spouse Hannah established their initial homestead situated at the intersection of present-day Main and Chestnut Streets.<ref>{{Cite web |title=History of Souderton |url=https://soudertonborough.org/information/history-of-souderton/ |access-date=2024-03-06 |website=Souderton Borough |language=en}}</ref> Souder, known for his entrepreneurial spirit, also possessed a lumber mill located on Main Street. The name '''Souderton''' is prefigured in a map of 1847 as '''Souder's Lumberyard''', as Henry had own a lumber mill located on main street.<ref>{{cite web|title=History and Historical District|url=https://soudertonborough.org/history/|access-date=2021-12-20|website=Souderton Borough|language=en-US}}</ref>

Souderton initially flourished as an agricultural community, primarily focused on farming activities. However, the introduction of the railroad facilitated the borough's expansion, fostering both industrial growth and community development. Industries such as textiles and cigar manufacturing contributed to Souderton's prosperity and population increase. Several major cigar manufacturers established factories in the area during this period.

On June 6, 1887, residents of Souderton applied for a charter of incorporation to the Montgomery County Court. The charter was granted on December 15, 1887. At the time of incorporation, the population was about 600.<ref>{{Cite web |title=History of Souderton |url=https://soudertonborough.org/information/history-of-souderton/ |access-date=2024-03-07 |website=Souderton Borough |language=en}}</ref>

The [[Souderton Historic District]] was listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 2011.