The land the Valley Forge Shopping Center occupies once belonged to one of the earliest Swedish settlers in Upper Merion — Matthias Holstein, Jr. He was born on July 1, 1681 in Passyunk, Moyamensing, Philadelphia, PA. Matthias moved to Upper Merion with his wife. He purchased 1,000 acres of land, beginning at the Schuylkill River, comprising what is now the borough of Bridgeport and extending one and one half miles west to the top of Red Hill. The oldest deed for this land is dated 1708.
A few centuries later, in March, 1956, construction of the first 15-store unit of the Valley Forge Shopping Center, located at Town Center Rd and DeKalb, took place. A large A& P supermarket, bank and a variety of other concerns were scheduled to occupy space in the first unit.
The shopping center was part of a large development designed to serve the growing communities in the area and already included the Valley Forge Community Church and a Gulf Oil Co. service station. The Upper Merion Medical Center, Tanglewood Lane Apartment and additional retail were to follow.
In January, 1957, the new shopping center announced the addition of the following tenants: Vincent Greco, hair styling salon; Anthony Cortizone, barber shop; Heritage, Inc. realty firm; BNB Bakery and McGee’s TV & Appliances.
That brought the total number of tenants to 10 in addition to the A&P supermarket. Parking spaces for more than 500 automobiles were available.
