Virtual Downingtown
Downingtown is an historic town located in the heart of Chester County. Downingtown originally was named Milltown. Around the time of the revolution, it was renamed to Downing's Town after John Downing who operated an tavern along the road from Philadelphia to Lancaster. In 1812, the town was renamed as Downingtown.
The east branch Brandywine Creek runs through the middle of the town. The town is located along what was originally the Philadelphia and Lancaster Turnpike, which was an early westward road in the wagon days. The Turnpike later became the Lincoln Highway, which was the first paved road to cross the nation from sea to sea.
