Chester, Pennsylvania

Situated on the Delaware River is Chester, Pennsylvania, a city in Delaware County. Founded in 1644 by Swedish settlers, Chester is the oldest City in Pennsylvania. For the first two hundred years of its history, Chester was a thriving and wealthy manufacturing community; major industries included machinery, metal manufacturing, locomotive, shipbuilding, and textiles. These industries, coupled with the Chester's proximity to the Delaware River and major railways generated jobs and sustained a steady population growth. America's largest postbellum shipyard, John Roach's Delaware River Iron Ship Building and Engine Works, was located in Chester. Additionally, the Sun Shipbuilding & Drydock Company, later Pennsylvania Shipyard & Dry Dock Company, was located in Chester until it closed in 1990. Two ships of the United States Navy have been named USS Chester in honor of the city.

The post-war economy also had a negative impact on Chester as it did on many industry-based cities at the time. Chester began to experience economic difficulties losing its shipyard and automobile manufacturing jobs as early as the late 1950s, causing the population to be reduced by half in fifty years from 65,000 in 1950 to under 37,000 in 2000. Poverty and crime rose as the city declined. In 1995, the state designated Chester as a financially distressed municipality. In recent years, Chester became eligible for Pennsylvania's Opportunity Zone program and firms began to accept state and local tax breaks to invest in KOZ-designated areas of Morrisville. In particular, the Wharf at Rivertown, a $60 million renovation of the Philadelphia Electric Company (PECO)'s generating plant, which was originally built in Chester in 1918, has returned the waterfront to the local residents, offering both recreational and office space for new local businesses. Today the city is home to more than 33,000 residents.

Chester’s extensive industrial, shipbuilding and manufacturing history raises concern for asbestos exposure. We have identified a number of jobsites where asbestos exposure has occurred in Chester, Pennsylvania. For your convenience, we have listed mesothelioma clinics located in or near Chester at the bottom of this page. Mesothelioma lawyers may also be able to assist you if you or a loved one were exposed to asbestos in Chester.

Large Jobsites in Chester where Asbestos Exposure Occurred

The Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance has compiled information obtained from a number of sources to identify the following large job sites in Chester where asbestos exposure was known to have occurred. These sites are listed below. Click on them to get more detailed information.

Other Jobsites in Chester where Asbestos Exposure Occurred

These additional jobsites in Chester, PA have been identified as harboring asbestos containing materials. These sites, at one point in their history, were known to have exposed a variety of tradesmen to asbestos. We will be documenting in more detail how asbestos exposure occurred at these sites in the future on this web site.

Mesothelioma Cancer Centers Near Chester, PA

For your convenience we have compiled a list of mesothelioma cancer centers that are located within a 100 mile radius of Chester, PA. Please click on a cancer center link to obtain more information about the clinical programs offered, professional designations, areas of expertise and how to contact the center.

Mesothelioma Doctors Near Chester, PA

For your convenience we have compiled a list of mesothelioma doctors who are located within a 100 mile radius of Chester, PA. Please click on a doctor link to obtain more information about his/her background, areas of expertise, professional affiliations and office locations.