Swarthmore, Educational borough in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, US.
Swarthmore is a residential borough in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, characterized by Victorian homes, locally-owned shops, and tree-lined avenues that surround the central campus of Swarthmore College. The college's buildings and grounds shape the character of the entire community.
The borough was incorporated in 1893 and grew from rural farmland into a suburban community after rail service to Philadelphia began in the 1880s. This connection to the city made it accessible to commuters and shaped its residential development.
Streets throughout the borough are named after prominent eastern universities, showing how deeply the college shaped the community's identity since its founding. These names appear on every corner and remind residents and visitors of the strong educational roots here.
The SEPTA Regional Rail station provides a direct connection to Philadelphia, while Pennsylvania Route 320 runs north-south through the borough for vehicular access. Most daily destinations are within walking distance along the tree-lined streets.
The Scott Arboretum, located on the Swarthmore College campus, holds plant collections adapted to Delaware Valley conditions and is integrated throughout the grounds. Visitors can explore these botanical plantings while walking across the campus.
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