đź“… Historical Timeline of Contention Lane & Its Estates
🗺️ Key Periods & Ownership
- 1850s: Contention Lane first appears in township road planning—linking Swedesford Road to Old Lancaster Turnpike.
- 1939: The Tanglewood Estate is developed: a 25-acre Norman-style property covering areas now known as Devonshire, Castlewood, and Tanglewood Roads.
- 1950s–60s: Postwar suburban development begins. Parcels around Contention Lane, Hickory, and Devonshire Roads are subdivided and sold to private families, many of whom retain ownership to this day.
- Present: Key properties such as 832 Contention Lane and 387 Devonshire Road maintain traces of original lot lines and historical continuity.
🏠Notable Residences
- 832 Contention Lane: A colonial-style home held by one family for over 40 years, located near the original estate creek corridor.
- 387 Devonshire Road: Built in 1959 on a prominent corner lot with preserved parkland adjacency—part of the original Tanglewood holdings.
📍 Parcel Evolution & Land Use
From a large private estate to a stable residential zone, the area surrounding Contention Lane showcases classic mid-century suburbanization. Historical maps, deeds, and oral records continue to affirm the land’s slow and steady transition over generations.
đź§ Research Suggestions
- Chester County Courthouse: for deed transfers, estate plats, and subdivision maps.
- Tredyffrin Easttown Historical Society: for Tanglewood family details and development records.
- Redfin & Compass listings: for continuity of property design, year built, and lineage of occupancy.