Historic Building

Credit: Mark Glidden

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Walking Tour

Chalfont has many architectural styles. Among them are Greek Revival, Queen Anne, Colonial Revival, Craftsman and Victorian Vernacular. Some of the borough's buildings were designed by well-known local architect, A. Oscar Martin, who worked in the Central Bucks area circa 1896-1942. The Bucks County Historical Society's Spruance Library, located in the Mercer Museum, has several of his original plans. A large number of Martin's buildings, as well as his home, are located in Doylestown, where he served as the county engineer.

As you walk, note the ornamentation, roof style, the arrangement of windows and doors, etc. These are clues as to what period and style the building belongs. The tour starts at Borghi's Restaurant, 4 North Main Street, proceeds north on Route 152 / Main Street, and returns via the opposite (east) side of Main Street. Enjoy your tour.

4 N. Main Street

Greek Revival style. A public house has been on this site since 1730. The early inn was a stage coach stop between Philadelphia and Bethlehem and between New York and Lancaster and was known by various names over the years as ownership changed. After a fire in the early 1900's, the building was rebuilt by Mr. Kelly with plans by Oscar Martin and called the Chalfont Inn. The old Inn is currently Borghi's Restaurant.

12 N. Main Street

Colonial Revival style, 1930 Old School House Apartment Building. The name does not reflect its former use. Designed by Oscar Martin, it is a utilitarian looking building, now housing apartments.

40 N. Main Street

Neo-classical style, 1920's. Chalfont Borough Hall. The building was originally designed by Oscar Martin as a bank, opening in 1925 with deposits totaling $40,000. The bank was robbed of $2,000 in 1931 in a daring mid-afternoon heist. It has been used as a library, bookstore, and insurance office. While a bookstore, James Michener was featured at a special signing. The building was purchased in 1984 for borough offices. In 1997, a compatible rear addition was designed by George Donovan.

130 N. Main Street

Second Empire Style, circa 1875. Known as Dr. Burkhardt's house as he began his practice in Chalfont in 1906. He often was paid in eggs, meat, or hay for his horse. A community oriented man, he served as the last Burgess of Chalfont and its first Mayor, serving for 37 years. He was also a member of the school board from 1908 through 1917. Dr. Burkhardt died in 1968 at the age of 87.

Railroad Avenue Train Station

Stick style. Opened in 1856 as Whitehall Station by the North Pennsylvania RR and renamed Chalfont station in 1869, with the village adopting the name of Chalfont as well. Fire consumed the station in 1909 and this new station was built in 1910. The railroad helped farmers immensely by allowing them to ship items to Philadelphia. The borough now leases the building from SEPTA and it is rented to a private business.

239 N. Main Street

1915 Colonial Revival Style. This handsome building designed by Oscar Martin was formerly Chalfont Elementary School, but now stands vacant. Two additional rooms were added in 1930, with more additions constructed in 1958 and 1966. The old school playground on Chestnut Street is now a borough park. (The Wycombe School, now a private residence, was also designed by Martin and is of similar style.)

227 N. Main Street

1877 Chapel, Gothic Revival style, currently housing the New Life Assembly of God church, was used by many congregations, including the German Reform Church, New Mennonite Church and the Presbyterian Church, until it closed in 1891. In 1896, Methodists began worshiping here. In the 1930's , improvements were made to the chapel and it was reported that Mame Baum, a charter member of the Methodist Church, helped with the hand dug basement. Eventually, 1962 saw a new church for the Methodists at Route 202 and Meadowbrook Lane.

153 N. Main Street

Colonial Revival, 1899. Mame Baum House, designed by Oscar Martin, was originally owned by Charlie and Mame Baum. Charlie, a plumber by trade, was employed by the borough at various jobs. Mame assisted in the founding of the little chapel on Main Street, now the New Life Assembly of God Church at 227 N Main Street.

145 N. Main Street

Dr. Massinger House, 1902, American Four Square style. An Oscar Martin design. Dr. Massinger was the village veterinarian and used his house for the office and the carriage house in the back for the veterinary hospital. Note the widows' walk.

131 N. Main Street

Chalfont Care Group, Second Empire style, 1907, with a slate mansard roof. Patriotic Order Sons of America (P.S.O. of A.) saw the need for a home for indigent members, so they met in Philadelphia and a charter was granted in 1906. Land was accumulated and this building was erected the following year. At one time an orphanage was on the acreage. Additions were made in 1913, when a light plant was installed, and in 1924. Today, it is under the ownership of Senior Lifestyles, Inc.

14 Park Avenue

St. James Lutheran Church, 1857 Greek Revival Style. This is the oldest church in Chalfont. Services were held in both German and English and members tied their horses to a rail behind the church. The first minister, Pastor Hassler, resigned to become Chaplain of the 112th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, in the Union Army. The church boasts beautiful stained glass windows and a tin ceiling in the sanctuary.

101 N. Main Street

Old Borough Hall, was originally constructed in 1903 by Burgess Austin Griffiths to house a post office. It is constructed of rusticated concrete blocks, stylish in that era. In 1905, it was rented to the borough for borough council and a fire house combined. The borough purchased the building in 1925 and the police department was housed in the front of the building. William Hamilton was the first police chief. In 1987 the building was sold to the Chalfont Fire Company where they resided until 2011.

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