So I haven’t written about the Lloyd Farmhouse in Caln forever. As you recall, it was also a big story in The Philadelphia Inquirer in 2019.
The Lloyd farmhouse is older than the nation. Caln Township residents are fighting for its survival.
A developer has obtained a demolition permit for the Lloyd family’s 1757 farmhouse.
by Vinny Vella
Updated March 7, 2019
So it is now five days before Christmas in 2022. Nothing has happened except once again, Lloyd farmhouse is not secure. How I learned about this today was from someone whose dog got loose and they went in a panic across the field stopping the dog just before the entrance of the house.
This is not someone who’s been involved with this issue. They sent me photos and videos taken from outside the house asking me if this is the same house I used to write about. And I said yes it was.
So what I want to know, is why Caln Township is looking the other way? This house is for all intents and purposes, a construction site, correct? So legally, isn’t it supposed to be secured?
The inside apparently is more trashed than ever. I’m wondering if the owner of the property is just waiting for me to post something like this or for someone /anyone to post something like this, so they have an excuse to take it down because there’s nothing stopping them from getting a demolition permit?
Except Caln Township, hello? Why is everything look the other way in your neck of the woods? Of course, however, this does give me the opportunity to point out once again how this is a historic resource that is rotting to the point it’s criminal.
Now nothing has been built on the site and it’s been a few years, so is nothing going to get built? I’m guessing given the economy in the way rates have been the answer is nothing is happening right now. And since nothing is happening right now then perhaps the property owner should be securing the property or the township should be doing it for him and sending him a bill?
I also seem to recall that there were supervisors elected that were supposed to help with issues like this? Are they still there? What happens when kids decide to explore over here because you know they will and obviously have been, and what not f something bad happens?
Merry Christmas, Caln residents. This is another fine example of your government at work. And yes, Caln Township I can indeed have this opinion. Just like I can have the opinion that this is still one of the finest examples in Chester County of demolition by neglect. Such a time honored tradition.
Last word? This beautiful farmhouse, which is a prime example of the Chester County style of farmhouses, also predates the American Revolution, and nobody gives a shit. Yeah, you can still see even in this state of disarray her good bones.
Carla, as you know, the Catholic Church owned the farmhouse and acreage. The church received the property in 1977. They failed to keep it in good shape. A portion was given to Caln Twp and is a dog park. The house belongs to a developer who actually allowed people to come in and dismantle fireplaces, wood etc. He had hopes of developing. Then, as rumor has it, he ran into troubles regarding another project ( I believe in Maryland). So, The Lloyd is on the shelf. We, at the Caln Historic Commission have discussed forming a 501 C3 grassroots effort to save the farmhouse. I have had dreams of a billionaire buying it from the developer , saving the house and turning the farm acreage at the corner by Royal Farms into a vineyard. Then it could be used for dinners, weddings, family events, and a winery. I WISH!!!!!There is also evidence of underground RR. It also has a great connection to what is now The Orangerie in Thorndale which was also the first Ship Inn.
Leah, that sounds like a wonderful aspiration! Carla, it really is such a shame to see such beautiful properties fall to “demolition by neglect”as you so beautifully call it. Thank you for continuing to call these property-owners/municipalities out.