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100 Years Ago – 1922: While building in the city is just about normal, with little new operations, the county district, particularly along the Chester Pike and the Upper Darby Township district, is humming with old and new work. There is a great demand for mechanics. Philadelphia is in the throes of its greatest building boom and the outer country district are preparing for the influx during the coming sesqui-centennial. Chester is not marking time with other communities in constructing suitable residences for the new people expected.

75 Years Ago – 1947: A campaign to eliminate unfair practices against veterans was organized last night in Chester by American Legion representatives from two counties. Clarence D. Bell, attorney and chairman of the special advisory committee for the group, reported that “hundreds of G.I.’s have been victimized” in Delaware and other counties by unscrupulous real estate dealers. The meeting was held in the Sgt. Alfred Stevenson Post rooms.

50 Years Ago – 1972: Construction is underway for a $650,000 one-story masonry and steel warehouse of 50,000 feet for Tollins, Inc. at Tryens and Concord roads in Aston. The Tollins firm now operate a major furniture outlet on Concord Pike, Wilmington, and for 75 years, up until 1970, was located at 615 Edgmont Ave., Chester, President Sidney Tollin said the new warehouse will replace the old one at 120 E. Sixth St., the site of the original Tollins store opened in 1894. The old warehouse is to be demolished to clear the site for urban redevelopment.

25 Years Ago – 1997: A popular swimming hole on the Crum Creek in Swarthmore has been closed because of poor water quality and other safety concerns. Swarthmore College, which owns the area along Yale Avenue known as “”The Swarthmore Falls,” razed an earthen bicycle ramp, cut down two rope swings from an old sycamore tree and posted “”No Swimming” signs on the property, officials said. The swimming hole at The Falls has long been a popular spot for a summer dip. The popularity has grown over the past several years, officials said.

10 Years Ago – 2012: Gov. Tom Corbett recently signed a distressed school districts bill that is expected to place the Chester Upland School District under greater state oversight. The law, dubbed the Financial Recovery Legislation for Schools, allows the secretary of education to declare districts meeting certain criteria as distressed – of which four currently meet the criteria – and to appoint a chief recovery officer, who will be charged with developing a financial recovery plan. By implementing the plan, the districts are eligible for long-term, interest-free loans.

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