Lenape History Recognized With Marker

When William Doyle opened his tavern in 1745, he placed it near the intersection of trade routes that had been in use for centuries.

Doyle, whose surname later lent itself to the growing town, chose the crossroads of two major routes used by the Lenape people for generations.

The culture of the Lenape lives on in Doylestown today, through the names of schools such as Unami Middle School, and Lenape Middle School. 

And now, the history of the tribe will be honored in another way.

The Doylestown Historical Society plans to erect a new marker explaining the significance of the crossroads.

The new marker will ensure that the tribe's history will not be forgotten, Stu Abramson told Doylestown Borough Council members this week.

The historical society felt it was important to acknowledge the contributions of the Lenape people in a formal sign, Abramson said.

Abramson asked borough council to give $1,500 toward the $3,000 cost of the historical marker.

The borough had budgeted $12,000 for signs for 2013, said Marlene Pray, who chairs the community and government affairs committee. The $1,500 cost can come from within that budget line item, she said.

Council members voted in favor of the donation.

"We do have a history of supporting these signs and markers," said council president Det Ansinn. "They help preserve the history of the borough."