Who Put the Sproul in Sproul Road?

History Spotlight by Doug Humes

Our Sproul Road was originally called The Great Road of Marple. Laid out in 1683, the road ran from the county seat at Chester north, through Marple, and on to the Radnor Quaker Meeting in Ithan, where it met up with east-west Conestoga Road. Today, the road named “Sproul” makes a right hand bend after Ithan and runs up to Lancaster Pike in Villanova. When it crosses the Pike, it carries the name Spring Mill Road. So when did the road’s name change to Sproul, and why?

1960’s era green Sproul Road sign

Doug Humes collection

A hint: Who is the only governor ever to come from Delaware County? If you answered “William Cameron Sproul,” then maybe you should be writing these history articles! Sproul was born in Lancaster, PA in 1870 to a Quaker family, which moved to Chester in 1883 when he was 13. He graduated from Chester High School, and then Swarthmore College. From there, he used his Midas touch to make his fortune in publishing, railroads, banking, shipbuilding and insurance.

Portrait of Governor Sproul

PA Museum Commission

At age 26, Sproul was elected to the Pennsylvania State Senate and served for the next 22 years. With the rise of the automobile in the early 20th century, there was a demand for better roads. Sproul drafted the Sproul Road Bill that created the state highway system. The 1911 law provided for $6.5 million for construction of public roads, and created the State Highway Commission, the forerunner of PennDOT. The law also made the state responsible for maintenance of certain designated roads. A 1911 map shows the initial state routes in Delaware County, and the Great Marple Road – by then also called Springfield Road, was one such state road, Legislative Route 225. In 1928 the road was re-designated as Route 320.

Sproul for governor campaign button

Marple Historical Society

Sproul went on to serve as Governor from 1918-1923. I could not find a news article that announced a renaming ceremony for today’s Sproul Road, but the earliest mention I could find of the road referred to that way was 1923 – so I am guessing the road was renamed in that year to honor the departing Governor, then known as the “father of good roads.”

Governor Sproul speaks on behalf of President Harding (on his right)

Library of Congress

In 1920, Sproul was offered the vice-presidency by Warren Harding and declined. Had he made a different decision, he would have become President when Harding died in 1923. Sproul was considered a reformer, a progressive, and an honest and capable public servant. He would have made an excellent President.

First Pennsylvanian state highways in Delaware County in 1911

Marple Historical Society

For more history on Newtown Square, Delaware County, and membership information, please visit our website at: www.NSHistory.org. NS