Charles William Macfarlane

1852–1931

Charles William Macfarlane was the earliest architect and builder who operated south of the railroad at Elm Station. After earning a civil engineering degree from Lehigh University, he designed and constructed houses in West Philadelphia, then in 1889 came to Elm Station.

He acquired about 30½ acres of the William Thomas estate south of the railroad (Deed Book 335, page 212, recorded May 10, 1889), laid out Elmwood, Woodside, Readrah (later Maple) and Thomas (later South Essex) Avenues, and on a 128-lot plan designed, constructed and sold 24 houses, all still standing in 2025.

His "elegant" water supply and drainage system, which included a photogenic water tower, was so envied by the Narberth Park community north of the tracks, that they petitioned the county to incorporate as a borough in 1893–94 in order to obtain a similar system.

formal photo portraits of father, infant daughter, mother — Charles, Elspeth (1890–91) & Kathleen Macfarlane, at the time Charles was active at Elm Station. Colonial and Revolutionary Families of Philadelphia, Wilfred Jordan, ed. (Philadelphia, 1934); Vol. II, p. 173. Free Library of Philadelphia

Unlike his counterpart at Narberth Park, John J. Ridgway, Macfarlane lived in his creation, at 120 Woodside Avenue.

Updated March 17, 2025.

U. S. Census

Census	Age	Race	Gender	Marital	Relation	Address	Immigrated	Birthplace	Father's	Mother's	As transcribed		Note
1900	50	White	Male	Married	Head	120 Woodside Ave.		Pennsylvania	Pennsylvania	Pennsylvania	Chs W Mc Farland	120 Woodside

Census Households

Census	Name	Relation	Age	Own	Race	Marital	Birthplace	Business	Trade	Note
1900	Charles William Macfarlane	Head	50	Own	White	Married	Pennsylvania		Builder
	Kathleen Selfridge Macfarlane	Wife	50		White	Married	Pennsylvania

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