Caln Township residents are trying to find a way to prevent demolition of the historic Lloyd farmhouse, which “has a star-studded genealogy” and predates the birth of America, writes Vinny Vella for the Philadelphia Inquirer.

The land was sold by William Penn to a wealthy family and paved the way for the creation of the state. A century later, it became an unofficial stop on the Underground Railroad and an early example of the agriculture that would come to dominate the region.

Now, after years of deterioration and several changes in ownership, the building seems to have reached its end.

Unless residents and local historians can ensure it gets historic status.

The farm’s 61 acres were purchased in April by Delaware-based developer Harry Miller III for just more than $4 million. Justin Olear, vice president of Miller’s company, Regal Builders, then applied for a demolition permit from the township to develop a pair of four-story apartment buildings and 120 single-family homes.

“The saddest part of this is that all these historians from up and down the Main Line have contributed to this, and it’s had no effect,” said Cheryl Spaulding, who lives across the street from the property.

Read more about efforts to save the historic farmhouse in the Philadelphia Inquirer here.

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