When it comes to caring for your garden, timing is everything and mulching in the spring will reap many benefits. Another important factor? Good quality topsoil and mulch, which contribute to a healthy garden. For the past 45 years, generations of local residents have been able to purchase the finest topsoils, mulches and mushroom soil right here in Broomall from S. Pancoast Topsoil & Mulches.
Located conveniently on West Chester Pike in Broomall, Seth Pancoast III is now running the business that his father, Seth Ellsworth Pancoast Jr. opened in 1975. Sadly, Seth Jr. passed away in October of 2021, but his legacy and that of the Pancoast family lives on.
landowners, including Samuel
Pancoast (shown at bottom right)
Photo courtesy of Marple Historical Society
The Pancoast family has been operating various businesses at the site of S. Pancoast Topsoil & Mulches since 1894. The first Seth Pancoast arrived in Marple Township in the early 1700s, and made fine furnishings for local residents, including a highboy that has found a permanent home at Winterthur!
In 1894, Seth Jr.’s grandfather, Samuel Levis Pancoast, bought the property where the business now operates, between the new firehouse and Broomall Avenue. Samuel was a blacksmith, and in the era before cars and hardware stores, he kept busy making horseshoes, shoeing horses, and making tools and hardware for businesses and households.
Samuel died in 1935, and his oldest son, Samuel Franklin Pan-coast, took over the property, but did not continue the business of blacksmithing, by then a dying trade in a modern community. He opened up the Samuel Pancoast Riding Academy on that property along West Chester Pike, where he offered instruction in riding. A show ring was built to accommodate horse shows, and for several years Samuel hosted the annual Broomall Horse Show, with more than 100 horses and riders competing.
The property changed hands again in 1953, when it was subdivided into 4 separate parcels. Samuel’s brother, Seth Ellsworth Pancoast, Sr. bought the parcel with an existing house and the old blacksmith shop. He opened up a garden center, Pancoast Gardens, which operated from 1959 through 1975.
Photo courtesy of the Pancoast Family
Seth Jr. was running his own dry-cleaning business in Broomall, and then would help out his father with the garden center at night. He later sold the dry-cleaning business, and when the garden center closed, Seth Jr. began a topsoil and mulch business. Seth III said that what his dad loved about the business is that he loved working outdoors and being his own boss. Seth’s daughter Claudia said her father literally played in dirt for his entire life. “For 67 years he made it his business. It brought him joy!” she recalled fondly. “He was also very connected to the Pancoast family members who operated from that same site,” added Seth III. “ And he had a lot of fun!”
Seth III and Claudia were raised by their dad and mom Linda here in Broomall on Cynwyd Ave. Seth III and his wife Christine later purchased that home on Cynwyd Ave shortly after they were married in 1996. They’ve lived there ever since with their children Abigail (22) and Seth IV (15). “It’s a wonderful neighborhood,” said Seth III. “Some of the neighbors I grew up with are still living here. I love the familiarity.”
Seth III shares the same love that his dad had for his family history and that of Marple Township. “I love the history here and I especially enjoy looking at old photos,” Seth III said. “When I meet people who are new to the area, I love being able to tell them about the town’s history!”
Seth III also shared Seth Jr’s interest in the top-soil and mulch business and he spent many years helping his dad on nights and weekends. Since his dad’s passing, he has continued to meet the needs of their customers and they continue to sell top-quality products at fair prices.
S. Pancoast Topsoil & Mulches gets their inventory from a variety of local sources – and they use only top-quality products. Due to its popularity, they recently started selling black mulch. Seth III said mulch can add visual interest to landscapes, adding to aesthetic natural beauty. “Mulch can also protect the soil from erosion, keep soil-borne diseases at bay and keep soil temperatures consistent,” he explained.
Now is a great time to buy mulch and topsoil for your summer garden. Visit S. Pancoast Topsoil & Mulches, 2635 West Chester Pike, Broomall. Phone 610-356-1090. For hours, location, product descriptions and inquiries, visit www.TopsoilBroomall.com.