The Association had its origin on the evening of May 9, 1885, at the home of F. Louis Allen when, to quote the minutes, “the residents of the North Side of the railroad at Wayne met….. to discuss the merits of a scheme to organize a club for the mutual protection and benefit of the said property owners.” They discussed the possibility of an electric fire alarm system, hose extinguishers, and “sundry other arrangements.”
By their third meeting the name North Wayne Association was selected to identify this body designed to serve community needs for the then very young Drexel and Childs North Wayne development. Early discussions indicate that the only identifiable street then was North Wayne Avenue, with a board walk along part of its length, serving about twelve homes. North Wayne’s population was then 26.
Areas of interest during this period included sewers, water supply, “malarial influences”, swamp drainage, porch foundations, macadamizing North Wayne Avenue, street lighting and fire protection.
The first fire alarm was a crude battery arrangement, to be replaced by whistles, then rattles and finally to return to an electric system in 1887. In 1886 the Association devised an ash and rubbish disposal system which served until 1948 when the Township commenced this service. Also during this time Drexel and Childs gave one hundred trees to the Association to be planted along North Wayne Avenue. The Association adopted the sugar maple as its official tree in 1887.
In 1887 came the first mention of the triangle at the intersection of North Wayne Avenue and Walnut Avenue and shortly thereafter was taken over by the Association. Through the years it was planted with flowers, then barberry bushes and a flagpole. In 1950 the first Christmas tree was placed there and our present live tree planted in 1951.
In 1888 a new Constitution was adopted forming committees on Public works, Public Safety, Ways and Means and Membership much as they remain today. In 1890 the Association became an incorporated non-profit corporation. Today, the Association continues its function as community watchdog but, in addition, provides many community activities for all age groups.
In its first month of existence the Association established the annual fourth of July celebration and soon thereafter the annual dinner both of which continue today. At one such dinner the members drank toasts to the Association and its work, its old members, its new members, water, light and earth, its honorary member, the fire Marshall, dogs and the baby member. Numerous other activities developed over the years, reflecting the times and changing interests of community members. While the annual Square Dance and May Basket Contest no longer exist, the Garage Sale, Holiday House Tour, Halloween Party, Easter Egg Hunt, Carol Sing, Fourth of July parade and volleyball game, and Progressive Dinner provide a full year of neighborhood-centered activities.
In 1895 the Association concerned itself with different types of local government. In 1899 Radnor became a first class Township, assuming many of the Association’s functions, such as fire protection and street lighting.
Amidst this change of community and its form of government, it was inevitable that the role of a private civic organization like the North Wayne Protective Association would change. Perhaps the most surprising aspect of its history is that it survived at all. Having had its genesis in filling a vacuum created by too little government, it survived to evolve into an organization mobilizing about governmental actions such as the exercise of zoning power. Conversely, of all of its original functions the only one that remains today is the removal of snow from sidewalks and driveways. Thus, the Association has in fact undergone a real transformation that is itself an index to the history of the Township.
The Association has a continuing interest in maintenance of the train station, development and beautification of the business community, zoning, traffic, tree planting, community safety, and aspects of township government which impinge upon North Wayne.
NWPA celebrated its 100th Anniversary in 1985. As a result of hundreds of hours of research and work by tireless volunteers, North Wayne was designated a National Historic District at this time.