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Chester County Press

Landenberg historic home demolished

01/15/2014 05:19PM ● By Acl

The century-old Hendrickson House in Landenberg was demolished last Friday to make room for the continuation of a trail through the area.

By Richard L. Gaw

Staff Writer


The historic structure known as the Hendrickson House, which stood on the banks of the White Clay Creek in Landenberg for more than a century, met the wrecking ball last Friday to make way for the expanding trail system being planned along the creek. 

The removal of the former private residence is being done to further “open up” the continuation of the Laurel Woods Trail, a nearly one-mile stretch that winds through the nearby Penn Green Road vicinity and through the rocky crevices of what had served as the former Pomeroy and Newark Railroad. Currently, the Friends of the New Garden Trails, a volunteer group associated with New Garden Township, is in the beginning stages of extending the trail along the creek behind the Landenberg Store and Hotel, and will ultimately connect the trail to the White Clay Creek Preserve. 

Prior to demolition, the Friends of the New Garden Trails removed materials that they felt may be useful – such as chandeliers and lamp irons -- and stored them in the adjacent garage, which will remain as part of the trail and be used as a storage unit for the volunteer group.

According to a representative from Friends of the New Garden Trails, two potential scenarios are planned for the site: To either extend the “green” area in the former home's vicinity, or plan for the installation of a rain garden.

A portion of the home – which is approximately a century old and had been lived in by the Hendrickson family for several decades – will continue to be a part of the trail system, as rocks from the original stone foundation will be placed throughout the trail.

TechniVate, Inc., a site improvement company based in Landenberg, was responsible for the home's demolition, which was completed in two days.