The first parcel of land comprising Ardmore was originally bought in 1686 by Richard Davis for 32 pounds, 16 shillings. Originally called “Athensville” it was the largest village situated on the Lancaster Turnpike (modern day Lancaster Avenue). The Turnpike, built in 1796, was the first macadam turnpike constructed in America in order to facilitate the transfer of goods between the new settlement of Lancaster to Philadelphia. Tolls were collected along this road until 1917. Athensville had its name changed to Ardmore in 1873 by the Pennsylvania Railroad.

Cricket Avenue, originally referred to as Mud Lane, was the primary means of access to the Sheldon Farm property from Lancaster Avenue. In 1880 a portion of the Sheldon property was sold to the Merion Cricket Club. The Merion Cricket Club built a new clubhouse on Cricket Avenue in 1891 after moving from Wynnewood to Ardmore, where it lasted for only one year before being destroyed by fire. The road’s name was changed in reference to the Cricket Club’s short-lived home.

Source: Lower Merion Historical Society