Olde Ridge Village: Where History Meets Hospitality Olde Ridge Village has a past as rich as its present. Once part of a 52-acre farmstead in the late 19th century, the...
Olde Ridge Village: Where History Meets Hospitality
Olde Ridge Village has a past as rich as its present. Once part of a 52-acre farmstead in the late 19th century, the land holds deep roots in local heritage. The original yellow farmhouse, built in 1869, still stands today, a testament to the area's enduring charm. Of the original outbuildings, only the wagon house remains, its pegged rafters and brick-and-stone foundation now form the unique interior of one of the Village Shoppes, currently home to GiggyBites Bakery for Dogs.
Ridge Road, once known as Kaolin Road, was a route to the Kaolin Works, which in the 18th and 19th centuries exported prized white potter’s clay around the world. Early settlers such as William Brinton and Francis Chadsey helped establish the area, with Chadsey’s son John founding the first documented ferry across the Brandywine, giving rise to the name “Chadds Ford.”
By the early 1900s, Chadds Ford had become a fashionable summer retreat for city dwellers. Noted illustrator Howard Pyle held a summer art school in a former grist mill, inspiring what became known as the Brandywine School of Art. This legacy continued through three generations of Wyeths: N.C., Andrew, and Jamie.
Today, the Brandywine Valley remains a place of exploration and discovery. Meander down scenic back roads and you’ll still find country inns and colonial paths. Or, follow an old 18th-century road, now just a bit more developed, and discover the charm of Olde Ridge Village Shoppes.
Welcome to the Brandywine Valley, where Southeastern Pennsylvania meets Northern Delaware where history is alive, and every visit is a journey through time.
