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By Henry Merlin
Imagine iconic villages surrounded by rolling hills presenting snow scenes that remind us of a Currier and Ives print. Children are sledding down hills and in the crisp wintry air is the fragrance of burning hickory. Then think of new shops, upscale boutiques, fine restaurants, breweries, artists and artisans. Your imagination has taken you to Upper Bucks County. Here we see small farms, baled hay and shoppers scurrying in and out of stores doing their Christmas shopping. The contrast seems almost stark; cosmopolitan and small-town, commercial and rural, historic and modern. This is why Upper Bucks County with its deep roots in the past, scenic countryside, glistening river and bountiful farms is a tourist destination that caters to lovers of natural beauty and up-to-date culture, art, cuisine and fashion.
The towns in Upper Bucks County are connected to each other by state and county roads which traverse the rural countryside. Although there is similarity between them, they each have their own history and character. So let me introduce you to some of these scenic towns interspaced with picturesque rural roads and countryside.
DUBLIN: Gateway to Upper Bucks
Dublin, Pennsylvania dates back to 1762. Not much is known about the origins of Dublin. An old story is that two farmers got together and built a tavern, but there was a rift between them and one of farmers left the partnership and built another tavern right next door. The small village, as legend has it, became Double Inn and later became Dublin. A more likely origin of the name Dublin is it reflects the Scotch Irish settlers’ desire to name the town after Dublin in Ireland, a tribute to a familiar Old-World city.
Although the origins of Dublin and even its name is dubious, its future is not. Dublin is growing by leaps and bounds. People are moving to Upper Bucks County because of its proximity to Doylestown, Quakertown and ways to get to New York and Philadelphia. The virtual commute, sped up by COVID 19 makes the small town of Dublin a prime location, being the gateway to both beautiful rural Upper Bucks County and the Poconos. And Dublin is growing with a new town square, upscale shops and new housing.
PERKASIE: Covered Bridge & Carousel
Perkasie’s history goes back to the Lenape who called it in their language Poekskossing, meaning “One who goes to the place to crack nuts". The first settlers who built a village were Dutch and Swedish, but the village soon became William Penn’s Perkasie Manor. It was also deemed a free town, where servants could be given land for free. Known to people throughout the area for its Carousel and the South Perkasie Covered Bridge, built in 1832 making it the oldest covered bridge in Bucks County. In 1888 a fire destroyed 15 per cent of the town but citizens were quick to rebuild. Today it is a nice place to visit, having a small-town atmosphere several eateries and interesting shops.
SELLERSVILLE: Hotel & Theater
Sellersville, connected to Perkasie by the east branch of the Perkiomen Creek, got its name from Samuel Sellers who operated a tavern during the 18th century on the main road through town. Samuel Sellers was one of group of German immigrants who first settled there. During the early 20th century, the Perkiomen Creek was dammed to make a manmade lake, Lake Lenape, which is now in Lake Lenape Park. It is known for beauty, trails and trout fishing. Two points of interest in Sellersville are the Washington House Hotel, which is a hotel and restaurant built in the mid-18th Century and the Sellersville Theatre, built in 1894. The Sellersville Theater, next to the Washington House, is a music and comedy venue with 325 seats offering the best in national and regional entertainment.
QUAKERTOWN: FRIES REBELLION
Quakertown got its name from the Quaker meetinghouse that was built there in 1723. Quakers began coming to Richland Township in 1710 but beginning in 1730 Germans began moving into the Township and quickly outnumbered the English Quakers. Quakertown is where the infamous Fries Rebellion was plotted. The rebellion was against the 1798 direct tax on windows levied by the Federal Government. After a lengthy trial, President Adams pardoned Fries and his accomplices.
Now Quakertown is a growing town that still has its small-town flavor and historic character, with an old fashioned 5 & Dime store, antique shops, clothing boutiques, an old historic tavern— McCooles Red Lion Inn, which was a stop on the Underground Railroad. In the largest town in Upper Bucks County are small cafes and eateries that range from coffee and Danish to gourmet. On Route 309 are shopping centers, restaurants, and hotels.
OTTSVILLE: Hidden Jewel
Ottsville is a hidden jewel—a part of Tinicum Township—it is one of the oldest Upper Bucks County villages. The first settlers were Scotch-Irish Presbyterians who founded a church in 1738. The village was originally called Red Hill but changed it to Ottsville, naming it after a prominent family. On journeys through Upper Bucks County, it is easy to miss Ottsville, because it is bypassed by Easton Road. Ottsville only has 30 houses, but there are also some stores in the center of the town, which is a creative mixture of the old and new. The town has many trees, and it is set in the countryside and has little traffic due to the bypass, giving it an idyllic setting—a place to forget your troubles and cares.
POINT PLEASANT: Lenape Fishing Village
This gorgeous town along the banks of the Delaware was originally settled by the Lenape Indians who fished the river. Later it became a milling town where grain was ground for the Revolutionary soldiers. The town lies on both sides of the Tohickon Creek by its confluence with the Delaware River. At the Point Pleasant Store, you can eat a leisurely lunch and watch the cars go by the scenic Delaware River. During the summer Point Pleasant is the tubing capital of Bucks County, and during the winter it is one of Bucks County’s prettiest towns to see in the snow.
ERWINNA: Shortest Covered bridge
The river town Erwinna located in Tinicum Township was named after Colonel Arthur Erin, a leader in the Bucks County Militia. Erwinna, besides being along a beautiful stretch of River Road, has a covered bridge built in the mid-1850s that spans Swamp Creek and happens to be the shortest covered bridge in Bucks County. Every Christmas it is decorated with a green wreath at each portal. In Erwinna is the Golden Pheasant Inn, which is known for its superb French inspired cuisine and its romantic rooms.
UPPER BLACK EDDY: Ringing Rocks
Upper Black Eddy is a picturesque village by the Delaware River which was founded in the 18th century by the Black family who settled in the area and opened a hotel. Named because it is besides the longest eddy (a part of a river that flows against the current) it is also by a section of the river known for its exquisite beauty. It is the site of the bridge to Milford, N.J. and came into prominence as a center of business due to the building of the canal. When visiting Erwinna, you can go to Ringing Rock Park, which is a boulder field of weathered Diabase rocks, some of which ring sounding like a bell when struck with a hammer. It is also the site of the Homestead General Store and the impeccably well-appointed luxury B&B, the Bridgetown House on the Delaware.
Upper Bucks County is full of towns and villages to visit, most of which are not mentioned above. A whole book could be written on Silverdale, Durham, Hilltown, Springtown, Riegelsville, Richlandtown, Blooming Glen, Pipersville and others. Most of the County’s covered bridges are in this Upper Bucks. In this section of the county life is moving and things are happening—boutiques, galleries, stores and restaurants of every kind are springing up. There are enough parks, lakes, recreation areas coupled with the continual flowing of the Delaware to make Upper Bucks County the ideal place to explore, eat and shop.
Henry Merlin is a freelance writer who loves Bucks County and all it has to offer.