Bristol Borough

Bristol is a borough in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, 23 miles northeast of Philadelphia opposite Burlington, N.J. on the Delaware River. Bristol was first incorporated in 1720. Although its charter was revised in 1905, the original charter remains in effect, making Bristol one of the older boroughs in Pennsylvania. 7,104 people lived in Bristol in 1900; 9,256 in 1910; 10,273 in 1920; and 11,895 in 1940. The population was 9,923 at the 2000 census.

School District: Bristol Borough

Homes for Sale in Bristol

View Neighborhoods in Bristol Borough

Location of Bristol Borough in Bucks County, Pa

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 1.9 square miles, of which, 1.6 square miles of it is land and 0.2 square miles of it 10.81% is water.

Bristol Borough is bordered by Bristol Township.

History

First settled as Buckingham (for Buckingham, England) in 1681, the borough of Bristol, Pennsylvania is about 15-30 minutes north of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was originally used as a port and dock. Bristol is rich in history, boasting many historic and restored houses that line the streets of Radcliffe and Mill.

From 1681 until 1725 Bristol served as the capitol of Pennsylvania Colony.

From its earliest days Bristol was a center of milling. With the building of the Delaware Canal and the Pennsylvania Railroad it became a center of transportation and an attractive location for industry.

By the 1880s Bristol was home to many factories, including companies manufacturing wall paper and carpet.

In 1917 Averell Harriman organized the Bristol Ship yards. The area around the ship yards was named Harrima. At some point, most likely in the 1950s, Harriman was annexed by Bristol.

During World War II the old shipyards were used to build air planes.

In 1961, Bristol gained national attention when the song "Bristol Stomp", by The Dovells hit #2 on the Billboard pop chart. The song remains a local favorite, and it is often played at ceremonies, parades, and sporting events.

Attractions

Attractions include: Bristol Riverside Theatre, Margaret R. Grundy Library & Museum, and The King George Inn, the oldest continuously run inn in the United States. The summer months are filled with many festivals and numerous free concerts, including May Antique Auto Show, Celtic Day, African-American Day, Italian Day & Arts & Crafts Fesitval, Fall Auto Show and Puerto Rican Day, all held at the Bristol Lions Park, Bristol Wharf and Mill Street along the Delaware River. Silver Lake Park and Nature Center provides an area of recreation. Bristol is also home to Historic Mill Street Shopping District, where the very first Side Walk Sale was started over 55 years ago and still continues to this day. This Side Walk Sale is always held the following Thursday, Friday & Saturday following July 4th.

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