Glen Mills train station (now Thornbury Historical Society)

Glen Mills is an unincorporated community in Concord township and Middletown township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, in the United States of America .

Understand

Glen Mills is in Delaware County about 17 miles (27 km) from Philadelphia. Glen Mills is known for its gardens and its golf course. Major offices including Deloitte with a approximately 100 people operating from there.

History

The area around Glen Mills was part of the original land grant given to William Penn in 1681. George Cheyney was the first settler here, for which the nearby town of Cheyney is named. Later, this land was sold and divided. The name Glen Mills is taken from two paper mills built by the Willcox family, one in 1835 and the second in 1846. From 1864 to 1878, these mills supplied the United States government with a special, patented paper for the printing of government bonds and notes.

The Glen Mills are no longer, but the grist mill built by Nathaniel Newlin in 1704 still stands, and is a popular destination for picnickers and history buffs alike. A blacksmith shop was built on the former property in 1975.

A "wild west" themed restaurant/roadside attraction known as "The Longhorn Ranch" operated in Glen Mills during the 1960s. In the 1980s, that same site was the location of Pulsations nightclub. The site is now a retirement community.

A Glen Mills resident, pilot Michael R. Horrocks, died in the September 11, 2001 attacks. He was the first officer on Flight 175, the second plane to hit the World Trade Center.

Get in

Glen Mills is 17 miles from Philadelphia and is easily accessible by cab from the Philadelphia International Airport or by train. Septa Regional Rail offers a stop minutes from Glen Mills at the Wawa station.

Get around

Glen Mills is widely known for its beautiful bike routes and many competitive bicyclists can be seen daily. However, since Glen Mills is somewhat a rural area, driving a car is the best and easiest way to get around.

Do

• The rich colonial history and nature in the area can easily spark the interest of any traveler. Glen Mills has a number of parks and is best known for its vibrant and untouched nature. Local children and families are often seen spending time outdoors. Glen Mills also is nearby Ridley Creek State Park, here there are hiking trails and places picnic.
• Golf, a very popular sport in the area can be enjoyed at the award winning Golf Course at Glen Mills, which was designed by Bobby Weed and is connected to the Glen Mills Schools (GMS). GMS claims to be the oldest residential facility for troubled youth in the United States and the golf facility is used to train students in golf operations and turf management. The Golf Course at Glen Mills is a spectacular 6,636 yd., par 71 course. The Golf Course at Glen Mills was nationally ranked in the Top 10, and No. 1 in Pennsylvania by Golf Digest as a new, upscale daily fee golf course in 2001. Also at the course, is a grill room that offers breakfast and lunch, a club house, and a pro shop.
• Farmer's Markets: An ear of corn or fresh tomato could improve your health, the community and the environment. Pete's Produce is a local favorite and a summer hot spot.
• There are many seasonal and holiday related events hosted by the township of Glen Mills. During the fall season there is a pumpkin patch event. On the 4th of July there is a large community oriented parade. Much of the events that take place at Glen Mills include the involvement of the local community.
• 1 Sky Zone Glen Mills.  - located in Glen Mills

Buy

There are many shopping districts and strip malls in and around Glen Mills. Since Glen Mills is an upper middle class area, there are constantly new places to shop appearing.

Eat

There are many places to eat in Glen Mills, it all depends on what you're craving as the variety is very wide.

• Bertucci's Brick Oven Restaurant, 501 Byers Dr, Glen Mills. Fine Italian cuisine, a staple for any American town. 
• P F Chang's China Bistro, 983 Baltimore Pike, Glen Mills. A modern twist on traditional Chinese food. 

Drink

• Many of the restaurants of Glen Mills are also bars and provide wonderful drinking atmospheres. Most notably is Duffer's.
• Duffer's. A local sports bar that provides transportation, known as the "drunk bus" to locals, this is a convenient way to safely enjoy the happy hour. 
• Just a few minutes from Glen Mills is the town of West Chester, which is widely known for being a college town and therefore has several bars and a thriving night life.

Sleep

• Since Glen Mills is a part of the greater Philadelphia area, there are many hotels and places to stay that are just a short drive away from Glen Mills. However, to immerse yourself entirely into the beauty of Glen Mills, there are local bed and breakfast accommodations available.
• Sweet Water Farms. Romantic getaway with private cottages and elegant design attached to a local winery. The vineyards may be visited by those who stay. 
• Hampton Inn & Suites, 40 State Farm Drive, ☏ +1 610 358-9540. 
• Staybridge Suites, 400 Evergreen Drive, ☏ +1 610 358-2560. 

Go next

• It is easy to find a way out of Glen Mills, simply use a train or rent a car.