Upland, PA Area Guide

Few Pennsylvania communities can match Upland's depth of settlement history. The first European arrivals came in 1643 as part of the Swedish colony of New Sweden, and the borough itself takes its name from the Swedish province of Uppland. That heritage is still tangible in the oldest streetscapes, particularly along Hill Street, where homes dating to the late 1800s still stand.

The Caleb Pusey House, built in 1683, is the second oldest English-built house in Pennsylvania and was visited by William Penn himself -- one of the most remarkable historical structures in Delaware County. Nearby, what was once Crozer Theological Seminary later became Crozer-Chester Medical Center. The seminary holds a notable place in history as the institution where a prominent civil rights leader completed his theological studies in 1951.

Dining within the borough is casual and close-knit. A neighborhood diner draws regulars for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with comfort food at the center of the menu. A local butcher and deli has served the community for decades, offering fresh cuts of meat and produce in a setting that feels more like a neighborhood staple than a retail stop.

For a wider range of cuisines -- including pizza and Chinese food -- residents typically make the short drive to Chester, just two miles away, where a broader selection of restaurants and grocery options opens up considerably.

Interstate 95 runs directly through the southern portion of the borough, giving residents straightforward highway access north toward Philadelphia and south toward Wilmington, Delaware, roughly 14 miles away. Philadelphia International Airport is about 8 miles from the borough, reachable in approximately 14 minutes.

For commuter rail, the Chester Transit Center is the closest SEPTA station at 1.55 miles away, with additional stations at Highland Avenue and Eddystone both within six minutes by car. These stations connect to SEPTA's regional rail network, with service into Center City Philadelphia's 30th Street Station.

Upland Park is the borough's primary green space, with open lawns, paved tree-lined walking paths, and a playground. The Redwood Community Center operates there and hosts regular programming throughout the year. The park also draws residents for the annual Fourth of July fireworks and holiday celebrations.

A short drive expands the options considerably. The Scott Arboretum, set on the campus of Swarthmore College about 12 minutes away, offers beautifully maintained botanical gardens. Rose Tree Park, roughly 15 minutes out, is a Delaware County destination with trails and a summer outdoor concert series. Smedley Park, also about 15 minutes away, winds along Crum Creek with wooded trail access.

The Upland Shopping Center, just a quarter mile from the borough's center, handles most everyday needs in a compact strip format -- including household goods retail and a well-known fireworks specialty shop. The Brookhaven Shopping Center, about three minutes away, adds a broader retail mix.

For groceries and specialty provisions, a longtime local butcher and deli serves as the neighborhood go-to for meat, produce, and deli items. Residents looking for big-box retail or supermarket chains generally make the short trip to Chester or Brookhaven.

Subaru Park, one of the closest MLS stadiums to a residential suburb in the Philadelphia region, is minutes away from Upland, while the Caleb Pusey House anchors the borough's 1643 colonial roots. Quick I-95 access, proximity to Widener University and Swarthmore College, and rental rates well below the state average round out Upland's appeal.