Historic Upper Dublin is an attractive community to live in, full of elegant historic buildings, plentiful trees and parks, and home to a pretty historic downtown. Only 20 miles northwest of Philadelphia, Upper Dublin is within an easy commute of the arts, entertainments, and job opportunities offered by the big city, while being able to enjoy a quieter pace and real sense of community.
Upper Dublin has a wide range of housing options, from single family homes to elegant estates, condominiums, townhouses, and empty land lots for those who are ready to build their dream homes. Neighborhoods are varied and full of character and the township’s Shady Tree Commission keeps Upper Dublin green by protecting existing trees and planting more annually.
There are ample parks and several top-notch golf courses in town; residents also enjoy bike riding and hiking in the parks. Upper Dublin Township offers a wide range of youth sports, classes and activities, and supports the excellent community theater. Community music and craft groups abound.
A popular local picnic spot, Graeme State Park has shady woods, flower strewn meadows and calm ponds spread out around historic Keith House.
Fort Washington, on Upper Dublin’s western border, is the primary center of local business and industry, and contains Temple University and several major financial and computer industry giants.
LOCATION
Upper Dublin is in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, about 20 miles north of Philadelphia. Two major routes serve Upper Dublin, the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I 276) and State Route 309. I 276 runs west/east and State Route 309 north/south; these intersect in neighboring Fort Washington, which is just west of Upper Dublin.
Drivers in Upper Dublin may access 309 at Butler Pike, Highland Avenue, Pennsylvania Avenue and Susquehanna Road.
The Limekiln Pike (State Route 152) also passes through Upper Dublin on its north/south trajectory, intersecting with Welsh Road (State Route 63). Welsh Road runs west/east passing through Upper Dublin on its way from Gwynedd to Willow Grove. Other major roadways include Butler Pike (Montgomery County), Norristown Road and Fitzwatertown Road.
Gwynedd is directly northwest of Upper Dublin, about 6 miles away.
TRANSPORTATION/AIRPORTS
Upper Dublin is close to the Philadelphia International Airport, and train service is available nearby, with stations at neighboring Ambler, Fort Washington, Fenwick, Oreland, North Hills and Ardsley. This service is offered by the South Eastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), who also run the regional bus service. Buses leave from the Fort Washington station to a variety of destinations, including the Fort Washington Office Center, which makes it a handy choice for commuters who work there.
A BRIEF HISTORY
Upper Dublin has a rich history dating back to colonial times. Originally part of a 1684 land grant from William Penn to an Edward Tanner, Upper Dublin Township was originally no more than a designation around the Susquehanna Road, but in time it came to be a small farming community, formally created in September 1784. Limestone mining acted as a further boost to the local economy and the Limekiln Pike to and from the quarry continues to be an important local route.
George Washington had a headquarters at Upper Dublin in late 1777, right before he marched west with his men to historic Valley Forge.
Upper Dublin was granted the status of being a First Class Township in 1946, and the post-war period saw increasing urbanization of Upper Dublin and surrounding centers.