UPPER MERION — For decades it maintained a silent, friendly and welcoming vigil atop its cement perch on North Henderson Road. Red, white, yellow and made of Fiberglas at the entrance to one of the last remaining farms in the greater King of Prussia area, it stood for years.
The Norview Farm was owned by the Battista family and operated as a dairy farm from 1922 until 1999 when the family sold the property to Upper Merion Township for preservation as a living memorial to the township’s rural and farmland past.
The original “Norview Rooster” or “Giant Chicken” graced the entrance to the former dairy farm from 1971 until its replacement in 2009. Despite being the constant victim of juvenile delinquents and adult criminal vandals alike, the big rooster managed to survive. The big chicken, whom I will call “Abe” for the historic Abrams section of Upper Merion where he once stood, suffered the indignities of being pulled down, bound by a chain and dragged down the road, attacked and damaged six times in its first 20 years. Its legs were broken and the Fiberglas bird was subjected repeatedly to the tune of thousands of dollars in damages.
Historically, Abrams, named for the Abraham family once prominent in the area, stretches from the Caley Road homes all the way down Beidler Road to Sweetbriar, Hope Community Church (formerly Abrams Community Chapel) and Belmont.
When Upper Merion decided to replace “Old Abe” with a new rooster, it was suggested that the original be auctioned off and the proceeds go to charity. It was purchased by Fran “Shorty” Shultz and moved to his home, becoming a fun sight to passersby for several years.
It found a new home at the Gateway Cafe in Swedeland. Shultz had it moved to the lawn in front of the popular eatery. It was dressed up for many festive occasions — a Philadelphia Flyers jersey, a Phillies cap and more.
From 2015 to March of 2023 Swedeland was home to Old Abe — the original Norview Rooster. Then came the closing of the Gateway Café and the diner’s relocation to Bridgeport. The plan was to place him on a beautiful decorated grassy square near the front door of the renamed 4th Street Café. But first he had to go in for renovation.
Across the street at Maaco’s body shop, Old Abe had his tired, broken legs mended and his cracked color repainted. But the new paint job and repairs aren’t all that is needed for the old bird to find his new perch. Ron and Peg Mahoney, the owners of the 4th Street Café, have to go before Bridgeport zoning officials for permission before the rooster can officially move to his new home. All is not yet worked out.
The rooster’s relocation to 26 West 4th Street in Bridgeport has been not yet been approved. Though he stands in front of the cafe, it is not officially sanctioned by the borough. It is hoped and encouraged that. “Old Abe” the original Norview Farm rooster can once again crow each morning, a warm and welcome sight for many years to come.
Sources for this article, Philadelphia Inquirer May 20,1999, King of Prussia Historical Society and Peg & Ron Mahoney, 4th Street Café.
