Rowland House

Rowland House is a three-and-a-half-story stone structure in Cheltenham Township with a steep gable roof and stuccoed exterior walls. A single-story wooden addition at ground level extends the original building, showing how the property was adapted over time to serve changing needs.

The building was constructed in 1774 and expanded between 1810 and 1820 as operations grew. It later became the Thomas Rowland & Sons Shovel Works, marking an important phase in the region's manufacturing history.

The house shows how residents blended domestic life with manufacturing work, keeping their home and factory operations on the same property. This arrangement reflects how families in early America often intertwined their household and business activities.

The property sits in a rural area of Cheltenham Township, so plan travel time to visit. As a protected historic site, access may be limited, so check conditions beforehand and combine your visit with other local attractions in the region.

A mill established on the property in 1795 produced shovels and agricultural tools that supported farming operations throughout the region and fueled early industrial growth. This connection between local manufacturing and agricultural needs reveals how rural communities built their own industrial capacity.