From The Archives

Victorian town,

Merchantville is a 19th-century suburb of Philadelphia, with most historical houses dating from between 1860 and 1920. Although the commuter rail line has become a running and biking trail, the drive to Philly is only about 15 minutes or you can catch the bus just one block away on the town's main street. Our shady borough is also just one mile from the upscale Cherry Hill Mall, 20 minutes from Philly's international airport, and an hour from the beautiful Jersey shore.

Our avenue is only one block long, with beautiful shade trees overarching the street. With its old-fashioned downtown, including the library, cafes, and the famous Aunt Charlotte's chocolate shop, Merchantville is a walker's dream!

The house

This is a large family house with hardwood floors throughout. Built in 1920, it is a classic 5-window center hall Colonial from the outside. Inside, it is completely different: an Arts & Crafts interior means rich chestnut paneling, plate rails, windows, and ceiling beams.

Modern conveniences include upgraded electrical service, gas heat & central air. Built-in closets and cupboards through out the house, plus a full basement and large attic, provide plenty of storage space.

A detached 2-car garage, charmingly painted to match the house, plus a fully fenced backyard are accessible by gates on both sides of the house, the sliding doors in the kitchen, and the back door from the laundry room.

Room dimensions and details

FIRST FLOOR
-sunporch 10x23
-5th BR or den (off sunporch) 10x12, built-in shelves & cupboards
-foyer 8x14, chestnut paneling & hidden closets, plate rail, beams
-LR 14x21, chestnut paneling, wood-burning fireplace, hidden cupboards, plate rail, beams
-DR 14x15
-powder room under stairs
-kitchen 12x14, 42" oak cabinets, ceiling fan, sliding doors to back yard
-laundry 9x10, washer & dryer, pantry cupboards, more cupboards & counter space, doors to backyard and basement

SECOND FLOOR
-master BR 14x18, 2 closets, ceiling fan
-master bath, tub with shower
-2nd BR 12x14, closet, ceiling fan
-3rd BR ("the big room") 14x20, 2 closets, ceiling fan, 5 windows, window seat
-2nd bath, tub with shower

THIRD FLOOR
-4th BR 11x14, walk-in closet in hall, window, 2 skylights, sloped ceiling
-3rd full bath, mini tub (cute!) with shower
-extra room 10x11, 2 skylights, small window, access to attic (requires space heater in winter)
-attic, unfinished but with wood floor; excellent storage

BASEMENT
-large, unfinished, interior stair from mud room, bulkhead to backyard

YARD
-lot is almost a quarter acre, with large backyard completely fenced and private, 2 large oak trees and free-standing 2-car garage
-front and side yards are small but pretty with azaleas, pink dogwood, lilac, magnolia, and a large maple and beech tree to provide shade for the house in summer