Background:
The property was in the hands of Aret Klinken and his descendents in the Johnson and Fallon families from 1687 until 1873. A log cabin and a two-story house stood on the site as early as 1687.

This two-story stone house was built by Anthony Johnson for his son Klinken sometime between 1791 and 1823. After 1846 John Fallon, who married Susan Johnson, opened up Tulpehocken Street and began to sell the property off in lots. Fallon also erected the Germantown Water Works office on this site (torn down in 1894).

Mrs. Marion Y. Peterson purchased the house sometime before 1873 and made extensive renovations. Other owners have included, in 1906, Walter Keeler and later a Miss Massey (who called the house "Rose Cottage").

The house was demolished some time before 1940. A gas station and then a Kentucky Fried Chicken have since stood on this site.

Additional Sources:

• GHS: Box 11, envelope 2, #58: "Massey House, S.W. corner Germantown Ave. & Tulpehocken St. Rear View" (print from Glass Negative for "Spaces & Places" exhibit, 1980 shows all the alterations and additions made by 1894).

• GHS: Jellett, Edwin C. "Germantown Historical Miscellany," p. 330 (photograph).

• GHS: Keyser, Naaman. Manuscript Notes for v. 2 (north of Chelten), History of Old Germantown, p. 52 (unpublished typewritten notes).

• GHS: Photo Box 1, p. 109, Collection of Edwin C. Jellett: "Rose Cottage, formerly at south corner of Germantown avenue and Tulpehocken street (photograph taken from across the street, showing part of the Tulpehocken theater marquee).

• GHS: Photo Scrapbook 2(2), pp. 109-112: (text and two photographs).

• GHS: Photo Scrapbook 5:
  • p. 10: "Rose Cottage" (the same photograph as found in Photo Scrapbook 2 at the GHS).
  • p. 55: "Southwest Corner Germantown Avenue and Tulpehocken Street" (same photograph as found in Box 11, envelope 2, #58 at GHS).

• HSP: Franklin Fire Insurance Policy 0 13581, for Fallon at 6156 Germantown Avenue is probably for this address since 6158 was the number for the Germantown Water Company office.

• HSP: Shoemaker Collection, folio 23: "Mrs. Marion Y. Peterson's Home. S Cor Germantown Road & W. Tulpehocken St." (photograph and manuscript text, dated 1890).