"The records of the School Board show that at first this school, like several others, was called by the name of the street, and known as the Howell street school. The streets in that immediate vicinity, with the exception of Broomall Street, were named by Hon. John M. Broomall in honor of persons or families of local repute.

"Genealogical records at the rooms of the Pennsylvania Historical Society disclose conflicting evidence. Mr. Granville Leech, an eminent authority, shows no Howells nearer than Chichester Township; on the other hand, an account in the American Historical Register, Vol. VII., if reliable, establishes the existence of a Jacob Howell, who was for over sixty years a leading citizen of Cheater, a minister of the Society of Friends, and an owner of property on Edgmont Avenue. Mr. Ashmead states, however, that Judge Broomall told him that the name was bestowed in honor of the family, and not of any particular individual.

"There was certainly at onetime a Howell family of note residing somewhere in the vicinity. Judge Broomall named the street for them, and the school took the name of the street."