Architectural and cultural historians for decades have been tuned into the significance of the sprawling Postwar suburbs built by Levitt & Sons bearing the family firm’s name. Recent research into other Levitt developments like Belair in Bowie in the Washington, D.C., suburbs has expanded our understanding of the Levitts’ impact on modern cultural landscapes and in shaping American homeownership. Last week while doing some fieldwork in the Philadelphia suburbs I encountered a 1960s subdivision planned by firm president William J. Levitt (1907-1994).
Named Albidale — Al (for Alice K. Levitt) and bi (for Bill Levitt) plus the rustic-sounding dale — the development included two tracts culled from a large 600-acre horse farm and steeplechase track assembled by Philadelphia philanthropist George W. Elkins (1886-1954) begun in the 1920s. Albidale’s core, dubbed Albidale West by Levitt, includes a cluster of stone homes Elkins built in 1936 for his employees and a pair of eighteenth century stone houses that once were part of farms Elkins bought in the 1920s and 1930s for his expansive Justa Farm complex.
Albidale West Plat. Montgomery County Land Records.
Earlier this year a new book on Pennsylvania’s Levittown, Second Suburb, was published and I have now moved my copy to the top of my reading list. The Levitts were fresh in my mind before I did last week’s fieldwork because I had just read Jamie Jacobs’ chapter on Belair in Richard Longstreth’s new book, Housing Washington. Jacobs’ 2005 dissertation has a valuable discussion of suburban real estate marketing techniques that I am using in my work on Silver Spring’s 1939 World’s Fair Home. Two things intrigue me about Levitt and they are beyond the scope of my current research project: 1) Levitt did not scrape away all evidence of the 18th, 19th, and early 20th centuries to make way for his development; and, 2) Levitt and his wife briefly lived in one of the Elkins houses.
Justa Farm
18th century stone house relocated by Elkins inside Justa Farm.
House built by George W. Elkins (1936).
Elkins house date stone.
Albidale was conceived as a subdivision with more than 470 homes. Located in Lower Moreland Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, the development was slated to become the municipality’s first Planned Single Family zoning district. According to a 1964 Township report, the zoning allowed various lot sizes “to encourage desirable visual characteristics of a development and efficient use of streets and utilities.” This may have encouraged Levitt to retain the earlier farmhouses, Elkins houses, and a large horse barn. My work on the Montgomery County (Maryland) Zoning Advisory Panel well prepared me for this statement made by the Township: The development’s new zoning aimed “to preserve open space, scenic vistas, stream valley and other lands for public purposes. Albidale’s Developers propose to dedicate more than 17 acres to the Township for park purposes.” This was in 1964!
Albidale West (Bing Maps screen capture)
Shortlink for this post: https://wp.me/s1bnGQ-levitt
Hello as a resident of Lower Moreland and a fasination of the Elkins family and Justa Farm. I would like to know all there is about the history and events that took place on this farm where I live . Who lives in the mansion and the other Elkins homes scattered through out Justa Farm and Abidale developement. Pictures pre development would be great. I have been in the Elkins Park estate my mother would retreat there when I was a kid. What a great house and grounds. I would really like to be able to see the elkins mansion of justa farm.Also where can I get maps like the ones on your site showing the Farm? Your site is great and thank you for it. Sincerely, Joe Barton
Joe, my name is Ann Betsch and I am George Elkins great granddaughter, I would also love the same information you are seeking. I have never been to the development as my mother wanted to remember the farm as it was.I just got the location from this site forwarded to me by a friend and am planning a trip up to visit soon. I have named my farm after my greatgrandfathers.
Hello Ann please email me when you’re coming I’ll try and set you up with a person I know who knows and can show you around the property.
Thanks for the reply, Joe
This is quite incredible to read, I am helping edit a chapter in a book written by a women born on the property. We would love to see your photos, I have turned on notifications and will be emailed any replies, perhaps we can connect.
Hi David! Thank you so much for posting this information about Justa Farm. My grandparents met on the farm when my great grandparents worked there. I cannot tell you how elated I am to see these historical records. Thank you again!
Malyka
My great uncle trained show horses for Mr Elkins in the 1940’s. His name was Manuel Fernandez. My grandparents lived on the farm for many years. My grandfather was Mr Elkins’ butler his name was Edward Hoffecker. My mom and aunt were born on the farm. We have tons of pictures of the horses And the property. Not sure if the house my grandparents loved in is still there. It was a stone house next to the stables. My mother is now 80. She would love to see it again if anything is left.
I am helping a friend who was also born on the property edit a chapter for her book. We would love to see your photos as we only have one photo. I have turned on notifications and will be emailed your response.
Sorry just saw this. My email address is rfabadie@cox.net
This is quite incredible to read, I am helping edit a chapter in a book written by a women born on the property. We would love to see your photos, I have turned on notifications and will be emailed any replies, perhaps we can connect.
Sorry just saw your reply. I believe all the stone houses built in 1936 are still up. They have been well taken care of over the years and are in excellent shape to this day.
I have lived in the neighborhood since 1967. I would post pictures of how nice the old homes are now but I don’t see a way to post pictures in this thread.
Hi…my great grandfather…John Morgan Billger… worked as a horseman on Justa Farm back in the day
We have a photo of you grandfather heading a team!
Hi…would it be possible to get a copy?
I am Natalie Elkins Reeves Beacon. I was born in 1935 on Justa Farm. My mother was George Elkins daughter, Stella Elkins Reeves, My Uncle Bud was also George Elkins and Aunt Nancy was Natalie Gribell. That is the children of George Elkins.
I have lost touch with my cousins. Certainly remember Manuel Fernandez. He was the resident Jockey. loved him. As I was so horsey and still am.
Also spent a lot of time with John Bilger. He came to work for us after my grandparents died. As we were the horsey ones. My cousins also said “Don’t go back. Remember it as it was.” So I have never been back.
My great grandmother was married to me Mellor. He was my grandfather’s stepdad. We have a bunch of old pictures.
John Billger was my Great Grandfather
my wife’s family Wilson Geiger was the dairy herdsman with his wife Johnetta. The house they lived in on the farm was torn down. (7) children were born on the farm. My wife Joan was the youngest of (1).. She died on March 11, 2024 at Southampton Estates. She loved the farm life and only left there when we married in 1958. Joan was the only one out of 10 that loved farming and animals. I also have many happy memories about Justa Farm.
My grandfather and grandmother lived in one of the stone houses next to the horse stables. I would help my grandfather clean the stables. My grandfather was asked by Mr. Levitt to be the caretaker of the mansion on Albidale and my grandparents lived in the mansion for several years before it was sold. I have many great memories of that property when I was young. I don’t know the exact dates but it was late 60s maybe early 70s.