Bala Cynwyd is a village in Lower Merion Township which is located in the Main Line in southeastern Pennsylvania, bordering the western edge of Philadelphia. It was originally two separate towns, Bala and Cynwyd, but is commonly treated as a single community. This came about when a single US Post Office was constructed to service both towns (The "Bala Cynwyd" Branch). Bala and Cynwyd are still served by separate stations on SEPTA's R6 Regional Rail line.

Bala Cynwyd lies in the Welsh Tract of Pennsylvania, and was settled in the 1680s by Welsh Quaker settlers, who named it after the Welsh town of Bala and the Welsh village of Cynwyd. The American "Cynwyd" is, however, now pronounced ("kinwid"), not as it would be in the original Welsh pronunciation . It is often pronounced locally as ("kinwood").

Bala Cynwyd's major feature is the Bala Cynwyd Shopping Center, which borders Philadelphia on City Avenue (locally referred to as "City Line Avenue"). The major stores here are Lord & Taylor, Acme Markets and LA Fitness, with Saks Fifth Avenue located a block to the East. Another major shopping area extends on Montgomery Avenue, bordering on the community of Narberth, the eastern beginnings of the historic Main Line. It serves as the home of the studios for WCAU, located on City Avenue near I-76. The studios for rival WPVI-TV are across the street, but within the City of Philadelphia itself. Bala Cynwyd is also the home of several major broadcast AM and FM stations, including CBS Radio's WOGL-FM, WIP-AM and WPHT-AM located on the seventh floor of Two Bala Plaza and Greater Media's WBEN-FM, WJJZ-FM, WMGK-FM, WMMR-FM and WPEN which are housed on the fourth floor of One Bala Plaza. Clear Channel Radio's WDAS, WUSL, WRFF, WISX, and WIOQ FM stations are located on Presidential Boulevard in the village, as is independently owned WBEB. Beasley Broadcasting's WXTU, WRDW-FM and WWDB are on the third floor of the "555 Building".

While Bala Cynwyd has drawn a very large number of Modern Orthodox Jews who have established a network of synagogues, there are churches representing many religions. The town is essentially a mixed residential community with mostly single homes, and is located directly across City Avenue from the City of Philadelphia.

The Neighborhood Club of Bala Cynwyd, established in 1906, works to preserve the residential character of the neighborhood and promote civic welfare and community spirit. It sponsors an annual Independence Day celebration on July 4th which begins in front of the Union Fire Association and ends at the Bala Cynwyd Playground. The parade features neighborhood children riding decorated bicycles, marchers in costumes, clowns, floats, fire trucks, police, and public officials.

Among the claimants for First Boy Scout Troop in the United States is Troop 1 in Bala Cynwyd.

The French International School, located on N. Highland Ave., is home to approximately 35 fifth to eighth graders being taught in both French and English.

Notable Residents

• Birthplace of legendary amateur ice hockey player Hobey Baker.
• Burial place of ledgendary Blues man Skip James
• Burial place of John Ernst Worrell Keely

Places of interest

• West Laurel Hill Cemetery

External links

• Lower Merion Synagogue, which is located in Bala Cynwyd.
• The Neighborhood Club of Bala Cynwyd
• The French International School of Philadelphia
• an interactive aerial perspective photo from Virtual Earth

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