Glen Mills

About Glen Mills

Glen Mills is a mid-size community about 27 miles west of Philadelphia. It's known for its strong role in the early paper industry, and the historical sites in the area attract many visitors to this small town. In Glen Mills, you'll enjoy a close proximity to the big city as well as a quiet suburban lifestyle at home.

The History of Glen Mills

Glen Mills started as an industrial village where entrepreneur John Taylor built Sarum Forge in 1749. Seven years later, he erected the state's first iron-slitting mill and pioneered the ironmasters tradition in this area. Glen Mills' rich stores of iron ore supported the local economy throughout the 18th and 19th centuries and beyond. The American Revolution increased demand for certain iron products, including munitions, but by cutting off trade routes and destroying forges, the British made it difficult for ironmasters to maintain their businesses. Today, a historical marker in Glen Mills commemorates the iron industry and its impact on local citizens from the city's earliest years.

The town was named for two paper mills that existed in the mid-1800s, owned by the local Wilcox family. These mills played an important role in manufacturing paper for the U.S. government, specifically a unique, patented paper to be used for government notes and bonds.

Living in Glen Mills

Glen Mills has many unique local attractions, ranging from quirky entertainment to historical points of interest. One of the area's more unusual attractions is the Bates Motel and Haunted Hayride, which has scared visitors for a quarter of a century. During the Halloween season, it's a popular destination for people from many of Glen Mills' neighboring communities.

Longwood Gardens serves as another locally-treasured spot in Glen Mills. This attraction features classes, lectures, and research opportunities as well as acres of plants and flowers. The greenhouses offer many plant species to explore, and Longwood Gardens is devoted to both sustainable gardening and the furthering of the arts in Glen Mills. You can view art installations and galleries on the grounds as well as listen to concerts hosted by local musicians.

On weekends, you can take the West Chester Railroad, a living-history railway that travels between West Chester and Glen Mills. It provides the experience of traveling back in time to the original West Chester and Philadelphia Rail Road, which arrived in the town in 1858.

Glen Mills Schools

There are a few options for primary and secondary education in Glen Mills, including the private Glen Mills School and public elementary, middle and high school campuses under the jurisdiction of Garnet Valley School District.

Resources for Moving to Glen Mills

Here's some useful information for planning your move to Glen Mills:

• Utilities: PECO is Glen Mills' primary energy provider, while the Concord Township manages local water and sewer services.
• Garbage and Recycling: Although Glen Mills is part of the Concord Township, there aren't any town-provided waste disposal services. Instead, you'll choose a private company for trash and recycling collection.
• Transportation: The greater Concord Township is part of the SEPTA public transit network.

Glen Mills Housing

Most homes in Glen Mills are single-family detached properties with three or four bedrooms, and there's a good mix of newer construction and older houses. The median home price in Glen Mills is higher than both the state and national averages, but there are enough options to make it easier to find something to fit your budget.