Rydal, Pennsylvania

Rydal, Pennsylvania is a community located in Abington Township, in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. It is a suburb of Philadelphia and is part of the Philadelphia Metropolitan Area.

History

Rydal was originally part of a land grant given to William Penn in the late 17th century. The community was named after Rydal Mount, the home of poet William Wordsworth in the Lake District of England. The area was primarily agricultural until the arrival of the railroad in the late 19th century, which spurred residential development.

Geography

Rydal is located at 40°6′00″N 75°7′00″W. It is bordered by the communities of Jenkintown, Meadowbrook, and Abington. The community is primarily residential, with a mix of single-family homes, townhouses, and apartments.

Education

Rydal is served by the Abington School District. The district operates Rydal Elementary School, which serves students in grades K-6, and Abington Senior High School, which serves students in grades 9-12.

Transportation

Rydal is served by the SEPTA Regional Rail's West Trenton Line at the Rydal Station. The community is also served by several major roads, including Pennsylvania Route 611 and Pennsylvania Route 73.

Notable people

Several notable people have lived in Rydal, including John Wanamaker, a merchant and political figure who served as Postmaster General of the United States, and Albert C. Barnes, an art collector and educator who established the Barnes Foundation.

See also

• List of communities in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
• History of Pennsylvania