Welcome to Yardley, Pennsylvania

Yardley was settled in 1682 by a Quaker minister from England who immigrated to America by the name of William Yardley. He reached an agreement with William Penn to buy 519 acres. The original area that was surveyed was called prospect farm, a long cabin and stone house located on Dolington road that his family would occupy for the next 150 years. After William’s death shortly thereafter, his nephew, Thomas Yardley migrated to America to finish settling the estate. By 1710 Yardley established it’s first Ferry as a major Delaware River crossing. In early 1807, Yardley ville as it was called, began it’s first real growth into a town as the Delaware Canal was completed which provided a shipping corridor by boat. Some early Yardley industries that took hold were a sawmill, flour mill, plaster mill, and spoke and handle factory. A covered brige was also constructed across the Delaware River, which is a border of the town.

By 1876, the Reading railroad now had a station to connect New York through Yardley “ville.” It would be the Railroad whom would later request the name be shortened to Yardley to not be confused with Yardville N.J. In 1883 the official name of Yardley was adopted by the post office which is now the 19067 zip code. In war times, Yardley became a sort of slave escape route. According to legend, slaves hid under the eaves of the Continental Hotel, at the General Store, and along the Delaware Canal. The Lakeside yellow house facing the lake on Main street may have also been a hiding place. The 1900’s would see the small town of Yardley broadly expand into what would become Lower Makefield Township and an upscale suburban community in the same zip code. Despite being surrounded by mainly large single family detached homes, a walk down main street is all you need to see that Yardley Boro still maintains it’s own distinctiveness and charm.

Yardley had few residents before the 1950’s. However once the Scudders Falls bridge opened into New Jersey, that provided a corridor for expansion and housing began to flourish. Further growth nearby throughout the 1970’s saw the Oxford Valley Mall area built, which has become the center of the commercial area. In the business route 1 area, many of our nations largest retailers have stores. There are an abundance of auto dealers, furniture stores, medical offices and over 40 restaurant chains. Some of the more historical and prominent businesses throughout Yardley and Lower Makefield Township are the Continental Tavern and restaurant, Yardley Inn, Ye Olde Yardley Florist, Yardley Grist Mill, Yardley Ice house, Vince’s pizza, Kramer’s bakery and more recently a Starbucks among a number of others. Shady Brook Farms hosts an annual Christmas light show, and Hayrides at Halloween. Yardley also celebrates Harvest Day each year. A new landmark in Yardley is the Garden of Reflection, which is the official Pennsylvania Memorial to the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

A historic landmark of the Yardley community is Lake Afton, right in the center of town and a popular spot for ducks and fishermen. Along side is the Library at Lake Afton. Yardley is home to a number of recreational facilities and leagues including Stoddard Field and Macclesfield Park, a large complex which is home to several youth community sports organizations including Pennsbury Athletic Association (PAA) baseball and softball, Yardley Makefield Soccer (YMS) Lower Makefield Football Association (LMFA) who all practice and play there on their lighted fields. The Delaware Canal provides a walking path for a leisurely stroll, and the Delaware River provides opportunites for boating, fishing, swimming, and other water activities plus a very tranquil view of New Jersey. The blue ribbon Pennsbury School District educates thousands of children each year, and the Pennsbury Falcons are looking tough again this year. Yardley is also home to the Yardley Country Club. An 18 hole private golf course near the center of town. Lower Makefield Township pool next to the police station on Edgewood Road is also a popular summer destination on a hot day.

Yardley’s convenient location, close to Trenton, Philadelphia and Princeton, and accessable by several major highways makes for a reasonable commute and a very desirable housing market outside the city. As the rural farmland in Yardley was turned into suburban housing developments throughout the 1980’s, the population has swelled to nearly 40,000 including Yardley Boro in the last census. Yardley has a vast variety of housing styles and communities from the reasonably cheap to the very expensive. In Yardley Borough you will find some large Victorian style homes to condo’s, townhouses, over 55 communities, assisted living and apartments. Whereas in other areas of Yardley, there are large single family housing communities with some homes on very large lots. Yardley, Pennsylvania is a highly desirable area to live. If you are considering moving to a Yardley Boro or Lower Makefield Township community and would like some housing information, please feel free to request it below. Thank you for visiting our Yardley community page.