“Vernon”, a Quaker estate at 630 Washington Lane in Jenkintown, is on the market for $1,636,000.
According to the listing, the 7,000 sf home was signed with a land grant from William Penn in 1736 and originally built for the Jenkins family, founders of Jenkintown. Part of the home was used as a secret passageway for the Underground Railroad, a former owner told The Inquirer:
“We were told the old root cellar – the walls of which are still on the property – was the access point for the slaves from which ran a tunnel to the main house basement,” she said. “The tunnel has been since filled in prior to our family’s ownership.”
According to a 2014 article by Philadelphia Magazine, the borough was settled in 1697 by Welshman William Jenkins. Stephen Jenkins, one of his descendants, built the three-story home.
From FamilySearch.org:
Brief Life History of Stephen
When Stephen Jenkins was born on 4 September 1680, in Wales, his father, William Jenkins, was 35 and his mother, Elizabeth Griffith, was 29. He married Abigail Pemberton on 30 August 1704, in Abington, Montgomery Township, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, British Colonial America. They were the parents of at least 5 sons and 4 daughters. He died on 14 September 1761, in Abington, Montgomery Township, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, British Colonial America, at the age of 81, and was buried in Abington Friends Cemetery, Jenkintown, Abington Township, Montgomery, Pennsylvania, United States.
From the listing:
Nestled in the heart of scenic grounds, this stunning Colonial home built in the 1800s, is not just a house – it’s a timeless treasure waiting for you! This Quaker estate, known as “Vernon”, was signed with a land grant from William Penn in 1736 and originally built for the Jenkins family, founders of Jenkintown and has been toured often by the Philadelphia Horticultural Society. It is also believed to be one of the sites for the Underground railroad. This spacious 6 Bedroom home has plenty of space for guests or even a home office. Cozy up to one of the many fireplaces throughout this home, which offers warmth and character to your winter evenings. Cook up a culinary masterpiece in a beautifully modernized eat-in Kitchen that blends historic charm with contemporary convenience. This Kitchen features lots of cabinetry, an abundance of counter space, a fireplace and stainless steel appliances. The Kitchen opens to a Family Room with lots of windows and French doors leading to the outside. To the right of the Foyer is an Office with custom built-ins and a fireplace. The Office opens to a Billiard Room with door access to the outside and a second set of stairs leading to a Bedroom on the second level. This Bedroom features stairs leading to a Bonus Room above. Step down from the Billiard Room to the Living Room with a vaulted ceiling, custom built-ins, two doors that open to a hidden wet bar and flagstone steps that lead to door access to the backyard. The backyard offers a flagstone patio and a smaller paver patio. Experience transquility with ample space between you and your neighbors, making this perfect for entertaining, gardening or simply enjoying peaceful moments in nature. Take the main staircase in the Foyer to the second level. This level offers a Primary Bedroom Suite with a Laundry Room, walk-in closet with custom built-ins and an updated full bathroom with a large stall shower, make-up area and water closet. There is an oversized hall Bath with a stall shower. In addition, there are three nice sized Bedrooms and two of the Bedrooms share a Jack and Jill Bathroom. Completing this level is another staircase leading to a third level. This level features a sitting area, two additional Bedrooms and a full Bathroom with tub and a Bonus Room with a cedar closet. Completing this home is an over-sized two car detached garage with steps to a second level, great for storage. This Colonial gem seamlessly combines rich history with modern living. Whether you’re hosting gatherings in the sprawling yard or enjoying a quiet evening by the fire, this home truly has it all. Make an appointment today!
Three homes valued over $1 million in Jenkintown Borough are also currently on the market.
1209 Lenox Road: $1,149,999 (5 days on the market)
The 6,900 sf home includes 10 bedrooms, 5.5 bathrooms, and a pool.
From the listing:
1209 Lenox Rd, Jenkintown, PA 19046 10 Beds | 5.5 Baths | Stone Colonial | Pool | Fireplaces | 3 Stories + Basement Step into timeless elegance with this stunning stone estate nestled in one of Jenkintown’s most desirable neighborhoods. Set back from the road for privacy and presence, this grand 3-story home welcomes you with classic charm, modern updates, and tons of natural light pouring through the multitude of windows. ✨ Interior Highlights: 10 spacious bedrooms and 5 full bathrooms, offering room for large families, guests, or flexible home office setups. An additional half bath conveniently located on the main floor. Beautifully maintained original maple and oak hardwood flooring throughout, adding warmth and elegance to every room. Five original wood-burning fireplaces located in the formal dining room, formal living room, cozy den, luxurious primary suite, and one of the additional bedrooms—perfect for ambiance and winter nights. Formal entertaining spaces include a large living room and dining room with custom moldings and natural wood accents. The kitchen and baths blend original detail with tasteful upgrades, ensuring both style and functionality. A full basement with high ceilings offers tremendous potential for finishing into a home theater, gym, wine cellar, or in-law suite. 🌳 Exterior Amenities: Expansive backyard oasis featuring a covered patio ideal for outdoor dining or entertaining. A large in-ground pool surrounded by open green space—perfect for summer gatherings. Very large private driveway with ample space for multiple vehicles. Mature landscaping adds to the sense of privacy and tranquility. 🛠 Additional Features: This home blends the craftsmanship of yesteryear with thoughtful updates that respect the original design. Flexible layout offers ideal possibilities for multi-generational living, a home business, or simply luxurious everyday living. This is more than just a house—it’s an opportunity to own a piece of architectural beauty with incredible scale, light, and potential. Located in the heart of Jenkintown, close to shopping, dining, public transit, and top-rated schools. Don’t miss your chance to own this truly rare gem—schedule your private tour today!
1107 Sunset Avenue: $1,636,000 (on the market for 63 days)
The 5,072 sf home includes six bedrooms and five bathrooms.
From the listing:
Stunning stone/stucco colonial on a large, beautiful tree lined corner lot in the desirable Jenkintown Manor neighborhood. Offering unparalleled charm, great sunlight, and modern comfort. With exquisite woodwork throughout, original inlaid hardwood floors, high ceilings, and three fireplaces, this residence offers the perfect blend of old-world charm and sophisticated living. The heart of this 6-bedroom, 4.5 bath home is a NEW spacious, gourmet kitchen addition with vaulted ceilings. Cooks will love the kitchen and butler’s pantry with the plentiful Amish craftsman cabinets. It boasts granite countertops, a large center island, stainless appliances and 2 farm sinks. There is also a beverage bar with sink and instant hot water dispenser, and a large walk-in pantry. The eating area with large windows overlooks the large (40’x16’) new flagstone patio and spacious fenced back yard (accessible from the kitchen or mudroom). Gracious living & entertaining spaces on the first floor include the formal living room with a wood-burning fireplace with marble mantle and front bay windows. A lovely, heated sunroom with 3 walls of windows flows from the living room. The formal dining room with front bay windows leads to the kitchen or a cozy den/playroom with many windows. The 20’ x 20’ family room has a gas fireplace with a marble mantle and French doors leading to a front flagstone patio, windows along the rear wall, and 2 large closets. A half bath and mudroom complete the first level. With six bedrooms, this home offers plenty of space for relaxation, privacy, home offices, home gym, and more. The primary bedroom includes a new enSuite bathroom finished in elegant tile and granite. Two additional bedrooms are on the second floor along with a ceramic tile full hall bath, while another bedroom is adorned with a stone wood-burning fireplace flanked by bookshelves and an enSuite updated bathroom. The back staircase (near 3 hall closets) leads to the mudroom and butler’s pantry, adding to the home’s character. Two additional bedrooms (one with adjacent attic storage) are on the third floor, share an updated bathroom, and have large closets. The laundry is located conveniently on the second floor. Major investments were lovingly made by the current owners (including the new kitchen and master bath, upgraded electrical (no more knob & tube), professional landscaping, and generator hook-up). There is a 3-car garage with abundant attic storage. The unfinished basement features built-in shelving units and plenty of storage area. This home has multiple air conditioning zones. A second patio is attached to the 3-car detached garage. Exterior landscape uplighting adds a beautiful touch at night to the front of the house. Special touches include crystal doorknobs, solid wood doors, and original window glass. A whole house Generac generator is an added feature. A Rare Opportunity in one of the most sought-after locations and communities in Montgomery County, this home offers a perfect balance of convenience and beauty. Abington was named the “24th best place to live in the United States” by Money Magazine in 2022-2023. Located in the Award-Winning Abington School District (McKinley Elementary), and minutes from two train stations (20 minutes to center city) and many hospitals. Short walks to Alverthorpe Park, the Abington Golf and Fitness Club, fine dining, and shopping. This is more than just a home— don’t miss this rare opportunity to join the Jenkintown Manor neighborhood. Schedule your private tour today! Don’t wait!!
900-906 Greenwood Avenue: $1,570,000 (96 days on the market)
The 5,000 sf home includes eight bedrooms across six units.
From the listing:
Well maintained and updated 6-UNIT corner-property in Jenkintown Borough. All 6 units are fully renovated and well appointed, separately metered & feature washer/dryers in units. There are two, 2 Bedroom, ground-floor units that each have a private entrance. There are four 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom units on the second floor. Each unit has a dedicated off street parking space in the large driveway. They are currently all utilized as short term rentals on AirBnB and are averaging a total rent of $16,000 monthly. There are also two on site detached garages that generate $300/month each. Excellent investment opportunity.
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