Chandler's Hollow

A blacksmith foraging a horseshoe, 1859-60. The 19th-20th century hamlet of Chandler's Hollow had blacksmith shops along with other craftsmen's shops.

"Blacksmith Foraging a Horseshoe", c. 1859-1860, Summer A. Smith, Public Domain

During the 18th century, the Brandywine Valley's fertile fields and abundant waterpower drew European farmers and millers to the area. By the early 19th century, the Brandywine Valley was populated enough that a small hamlet known as "Chandler's Hollow" emerged at what is now the Southern side of the intersection of Beaver Valley and Beaver Dam Roads.

At its height, Chandler's Hollow hosted approximately a dozen homes and shops, including craftsmen, blacksmiths, wheelwrights, shoemakers, shopkeepers, a post office, and a music hall known as an "odeon". The shops were owned by residents of the Valley, including the Chandlers and Talleys. The last shop in the valley was a blacksmith shop, which closed in 1925. The following are excerpts from diaries of Brandywine Valley area residents in the 19th century describing some of these shops:

4/19/1860: "Sallie went to the Hollow in the afternoon and brought no shoes with her."

4/26/1860: "Sallie went to the Hollow in the evening and as she was coming home I hollered at her and she made old Charley [a horse] travel."

8/14/1860: "We went to the Hollow after some ammunition and we had a shooting time as we were coming home."

8/14/1860: "I went down to G. Chandler's and got a sack of salt and Father and I sowed it and then plowed till noon."

6/18/1861: "Father went down to the Hollow and got Lion [a horse] shod."

6/29/1861: "Mary and Willie came down and the axle tree broke at the top of the hill. We took it down to the Hollow and got it mended."

6/4/1866: "Got some articles at J. Chandlers store. Paid $3.10."