Background:
The two hip-roofed, two and a half story stone houses which stood on this site date to the colonial period. The lower house is mentioned in a 1752 deed between cordwainer Paul Engle and his son, tanner Benjamin Engle. Henry Freas acquired the upper house in 1832; later he purchased the other house as well, using one as a dwelling and the other as a store.

In 1913 these buildings were torn down to make way for a movie theater and stores.

Additional Sources:

• GHS: Keyser, Naaman. History of Old Germantown. Manuscript notes for v. 2, pp. 58-59 (unpublished typewritten text).

• GHS: Photo Scrapbook 5, p. 15: "Germantown Ave. 1st three structures at right were demolished when E. Tulpehocken St. was opened" (photograph similar, but not identical, to that above from Perkins, vol. 61D, p. 75 at HSP).

• HSP: Campbell Collection, vol. 35, pp. 6 and 7: "6143-45 Germantown Avenue 1903" (two photographs identical to those found in Perkins vol. 61D, pp. 75 and 76).

• HSP: Perkins Collection, vol. 61D, p. 76: "6143 Germantown avenue" (photograph of front of two houses and of house on curved and gated lane opposite West Tulpehocken St., before Tulpehocken Street was opened up; click to view small image or larger image).

• HSP: Shoemaker Collection, folio 12: "N E Side Germantown Op W Tulpohocken St." (photograph and manuscript text).