Croydon, PA

Croydon is a borough in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 5,812 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Norristown area.

The borough was founded in 1771 and named for Croydon, England. The first settler in Croydon was John Shippen who built a home on what is now known as Shippen Street. In 1810, James Cox purchased land from John Shippen and began to develop the town which became known as Coxsville. The first post office opened in 1811 with the name of Croydon Station but was renamed Norristown in 1821 after the newly formed Norristown Township took over administration of the area.

In 1840, George Wistar Morris purchased land from James Cox and began to develop what would become known as Morrisville. Morrisville grew rapidly and by 1850 had a population of 1,000 people. In 1861, Morrisville became an independent borough and changed its name to Croydon after the town of Croydon in Surrey, England.

Croydon has been home to many notable people including:

-George Washington - who owned property near present day Easton Road

-James Buchanan - who lived on South Street

-Benjamin Franklin - who lived on Market Street

-Thomas Edison - who developed West Orange Township into one of America's leading industrial centers