| 1684 |
"All the land lying on the Pahkehoma" is purchased by William Penn from the Indian Chief Sachem Maughaughsin. The land was subsequently sold to Thomas Rudyard of London. |
| 1698 |
Edward Lane purchases 2,500 acres from Thomas Rudyard which includes the present day towns of Collegeville, Trappe, Evansberg, and Schwenksville. |
| 1701 |
William Penn confirms by patent Edward Lane's purchase. Lane builds the original section of what is now the Perkiomen Bridge Hotel. |
| 1708 |
Edward Lane bequeaths all land lying west of the Perkiomen, including the present day Collegeville, to his son Samuel. |
| 1717 |
John Jacob Schrack erects a log building just west of the current Collegeville border and becomes the first settler in the present day Trappe. |
| 1728 |
"All the land lying on the Pahkehoma", originally purchased by William Penn, is released (again) by Delaware Indians for "two guns, six coats, six blankets, six duffel match coats, and four kettles". |
| 1743 |
Augustus Lutheran Church built in Trappe. |
| 1797 |
Pennsylvania Legislature approves lottery to raise funds for the purpose of building a bridge over the Perkiomen to replace the dangerous "Phillips Ford". |
| 1799 |
Perkiomen Bridge completed at a cost of $60,000. The area near the bridge on the lower end of present day Collegeville is now named "Perkiomen Bridge". |
| 1832 |
Andrew Todd starts the first school for primary and secondary students, 6-12 years old. |
| 1844 |
Todd School's name changed to Freeland Public School. |
| 1846 |
Trinity Reformed Church founded by Bishop Abraham Hunsicker. |
| 1847 |
First post office established in Perkiomen Bridge, Edward Evans Postmaster. |
| 1848 |
Henry A. Hunsicker builds the "Freeland Seminary of Perkiomen Bridge". Village around the school becomes known as Freeland. |
| 1851 |
Abraham Hunsicker founds the Pennsylvania Female College. |
| 1861 |
Post Office moved to the store of Frank M. Hobson at the current street of Fifth Avenue and Main Street. Name changed to Freeland. |
| 1867 |
Toll house erected on the Perkiomen Bridge. Local citizens throw the gate into the creek and burn the toll house. |
| 1868 |
First train arrives in Collegeville. Station named "Collegeville" in 1869. |
| 1869 |
Freeland Seminary purchased by Ursinus College and made into the preparatory department for the new college. |
| 1873 |
Second toll house erected after a court order that a gate
could not be maintained within one mile of the bridge. Local citizens again burn the toll house. |
| 1875 |
The Collegeville Independent newspaper founded in Trappe under the name The Providence Independent by Elwood Smith Moser. |
| 1888 |
Collegeville Driving Park opened for horse racing on the current site of Clahor and Park Avenue. |
| 1891 |
Collegeville Fire Company organized as a result of a fire at the Collegeville Ice Manufacturing Company and Roberts Machine Company. |
| 1896 |
Decree issued on June 2nd petitioning the court to incorporate Collegeville. The decree was certified on June 9th. First election held on July 2nd with J. Shelley Weinburger elected as the first Burgess. First telephones installed. First trolley tracks installed. |
| 1897 |
Council straightens, widens, and macadamizes Main Street with moneys received from trolley operator — the Schuylkill Valley Traction Company. Third, Fourth, Fifth, and Park Avenues dedicated as well as Chestnut Street. Collegeville Borough School at Fifth and Park Avenue completed to replace old school. |
| 1902 |
Trolley line from Collegeville to Sanatoga and Pottstown completed. Trolley now operates from Philadelphia to Pottstown. Powerhouse built at Collegeville. |
| 1911 |
St. Eleanor Church founded by Reverend Thomas J. Sullivan. Trappe Fire Company organized. |
| 1933 |
Last trolley runs through town on September 9th. Schuylkill Valley Bus Company begins service. |
| 1936 |
Joint Water Authority formed with Trappe Borough |
| 1938 |
Collegeville Trappe joint school district is formed. |
| 1940 |
First borough police officer, George Moyer, appointed. |
| 1955 |
Last passenger train leaves Collegeville on July 15th. |
| 1976 |
Last freight train passes through Collegeville. Last tracks removed by 1980. |
| 1985 |
Rt. 422 Expressway - a limited access highway linking King of Prussia and the Schuylill Expressway to Reading - opens in Montgomery County. Rt. 29 exits to Collegeville and Phoenixville. |
| 1991 |
First Pharaceutical - Rhone-Poulenc Rorer - moves corporate headquarters to Collegeville. |
| 1996 |
Community of the Borough of Collegeville celebrates centennial. |
| 1999 |
Collegeville region celebrates bi-centennial of the Perkiomen Bridge. |
- NUMBER1EXPERT 
