The group of postcard pictures of Wayne of an earlier day which have recently been presented to the writer by Harry M. Buten, of Merion, contain several of various buildings or streets about which this columnist has written during the past few years. In some instances the articles have been without illustration, since none were available at the time. Today’s column shows four of Mr. Buten’s postcards of Wayne in the 1880’s and early 1890’s.
Although other pictures of the Saturday Club House have been shown in this column, this is undoubtedly one of the quaintest. In October, 1898, the Board of the club authorized the building of the club house, at a total cost for both lot and building of $5,145. It is the oldest woman’s club house in Delaware county, and one of the oldest in the state.The caption on the postcard picture reads, ”A view on Audubon avenue looking north.” It shows what is now called South Wayne avenue, looking north towards Lancaster pike from the Dr. Robert P. Elmer home, in the 1890’s.This well-known school for boys was located at the northeast corner of Eagle and Radnor roads. Later the main building, along with several other small ones, was purchased by St. Davids Golf Club. Since September, 1928, it has been incorporated into the Valley Forge Military Academy.This is a view of the block extending south from Lancaster avenue to West Wayne avenue, as it looked when its large and pretentious houses were completed in the late 1800’s. This might be called Wayne’s first building operation, and was conceived by George W. Childs and Anthony J. Drexel, prominent business men of Philadelphia.
