Inveraray

Inveraray, located in Villanova, PA, is part of the original Simeon Matlack home site, which dates from 1798. The barn was built in 1858 on a 113-acre farm. The farm was sold in 1896 and was sold again four years later to one of the Philadelphia Biddles. In 190I, Craig Biddle built a mansion at the top of the hill and named it Laurento, for his first wife, Lauren; the mansion house was located approximately where 439 Inveraray now stands. That same year he had constructed the stone wall that runs along Darby-Paoli Road, as well as the stone and wrought iron gates over which two lions still stand guard.

In 1910, after the present Willows land sold, Laurento was purchased by Archibald Barklie, who renamed the estate Inver House. He resided here until his death, in 1937. The property then was sold to Simon Newman, husband of Helen Publicker, a daughter of the founder of Publicker Industries. Publicker, the whiskey distillery that produced Inver House scotch, had its plant in South Philadelphia; it was torn down to make way for the Walt Whitman Bridge.

Newman and his family lived at Inver House until he died, in 1976, after which the mansion became subject to passive neglect. In 1983 the estate and its surrounding land was sold to Inveraray Associates, who constructed the present homes and landscaping.

Today, it is the special neighborhood central to Berwyn, Devon, Wayne, Villanova, Haverford and Newtown Square. Immediately surrounded by rolling hills, the Willows park, Chanticleer garden, and Ardrossan, it is a true oasis of peace and serenity while only several short minutes to the hustle bustle of these thriving Main Line towns.

More information on Craig Biddle's "Laurento"