Bala Cynwyd

As the name indicates, Bala Cynwyd was originally settled in 1682 by Welsh colonists of the same group that settled and developed Lower Merion. These sturdy pioneers came into this splendid rolling country, lying west of the Schuylkill River, very early in the development of Pennsylvania. The sterling qualities of these men and women have been perpetuated in the home loving, civic minded communities that have grown up in the region where their scattered farms, mills and hamlets were established. These colonists were Quakers, from the lake region of northern Wales, and they came here to freely practice their faith and to live in peace with their neighbors. These goals are evidenced when they established the landmarks of the Merion Friends Meetinghouse and the Lower Merion Academy.

Bala Cynwyd offers serveral shopping opportunites including the Bala Cynwyd Shopping Center which houses Lord and Taylor, Acme Markets, LA Fitness and Saks Fifth Ave located a block to the East. Another shopping center houses a television station and several radio stations. Bala Plaza has three coporate office buildings home to such companies as Entercom and Susquehanna International Group.

The public schools are part of the Lower Merion School system, rated one of the top in the state of Pennsylvania. The French International school is located here and is home to approximately 220 children pre-K to eith grade being taught in both French and English.