Date of Visit: December 5, 2020

Though I worked in Bucks County for a time, I never had much of an opportunity to explore Quakertown. The borough is located along Route 309 about five miles south of the Lehigh County line, and is the largest town in what is considered Upper Bucks County, an area marked by farmland, open spaces and small villages.

West Broad Street is the town’s main thoroughfare and the heart of Quakertown’s historic district. Near its eastern end, Broad Street intersects with Main Street. Here you will find McCoole’s at the Red Lion Inn. The tavern is rich in history, serving as a stop for the Liberty Bell as it was secreted away from Philadelphia to Allentown as the British marched toward the city of Philadelphia. Two decades later, it served as a meeting place for the organizer of Fries Rebellion, a localized uprising in opposition of new taxes set forth during John Adams’ presidency.

Though rich in Colonial and early American history, Quakertown experienced its greatest prosperity after the Civil War, with its boom period extending through the first half of the 20^th century. Much of Quakertown’s historic downtown rose during this time.

The architecture is varied, built up over decades rather than all at once, but the most striking building in downtown is undeniably the Free Press Building. Built in 1868, a portico was added in the early 20^th century complete with neoclassical columns.

Next to the Free Press Building is another historic structure that has been repurposed. Once a theater, the Karlton building now houses a Café, boutique and apartments.

Anchoring the next block is a business that has been serving Quakertown for more than a century. Sine’s 5 & 10 opened in 1912.

Sine’s is certainly a throwback to a time long-passed. Though you can’t get much for a nickel or a dime anymore, it still serves as Quakertown’s general store, offering a little bit of everything, including housewares, garden essentials, toys, and during the holiday season, a large selection of Christmas décor. It also houses an old-fashioned soda fountain serving breakfast, lunch and ice cream.

A walk through Sine’s also feels like a walk through a museum. The walls are lined with historic photographs and postcards. In one area, lettermen jackets hang from the ceiling. There’s also an impressive collection of model airplanes on display in one of the storefront windows.

Because of its location, Quakertown has always been closely connected to both Philadelphia and the Lehigh Valley. Today, it’s automobiles. But only a few generations ago, it was the rails that connected Quakertown to the city.

Quakertown’s train station saw its last passenger train in the 1980s, but it has been restored to look as beautiful as it did when it opened in 1902. Tours of the historic structure are offered on select days.

Passenger rail wasn’t exclusive to trains. Trolleys also played an important role in the town’s transportation history, and today the former trolley barn has been reimagined into a food hall. The Trolley Barn Public Market offers more than a dozen vendors, serving everything from barbecue to ramen, and beer to ice cream. (I highly recommend a gyro from True Blue – Mediterranean Café, which also operates a full service restaurant in nearby Emmaus, Lehigh County).

From the Trolley Barn, Quakertown’s Antique District is just a block away. The antiques district is small – only three stores centered around the intersection of Broad and Hellertown Avenue.

Dunngeon Antiques is the smallest of the three stores, but there is a lot to see tucked into small room and crammed along the narrow aisles.

Cross over Hellertown Avenue to 2^nd Life Antiques and Collectibles, a spacious market with plenty of booths offering a wide variety of antiques that extend into the lower level.

Old Soul Antiques is undoubtably the most fun of the three. This truly unique store is set up in themed rooms, including the garage, the vintage kitchen and a bar room. There are surprises in every room including a vintage pinball machine (with a sign encouraging you to take a turn), minibikes and a collection of vintage skateboards.

If you’re still craving more shopping, take a side trip to the Quakertown Farmers Market and Flea Market. Open weekends year-round, the farmers market is just a short drive from downtown and features hundreds of vendors.

In the farmers market area, you can of course find fresh produce and meats, along with homemade treats and fresh baked breads. But beyond the shopping, the Farmers Market features an arcade, slot car track and virtual reality arcade.

Whether you’re looking for a cool place to eat or a unique shopping experience, be sure to add Quakertown to your itinerary the next time you’re visiting Bucks County or the Lehigh Valley.

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