Philadelphia developer Willard Rouse purchased nearly 700 acres of barren undeveloped land in East Whiteland Township in the early 1970's, which became the well known Great Valley Corporate Center. By 1985, the corporate center was rapidly expanding and becoming known as the primary focus of the Route 202 Corridor Technology Center. President Ronald Reagan arrived by helicopter on Friday May 31, 1985 to bring attention to the progress and future endeavors of the corporate center. The event was widely publicized and broadcast on television and network news programs. Pennsylvania Governor Richard Thornburgh, other state officials, East Whiteland Fire Company, East Whiteland Police, Pennsylvania State Police and Secret Service were all on location when the president spoke at 12:15 PM. It was a major story for reporters and media outlets and quite a day for East Whiteland Township. Photos courtesy of the Gary Long Collection.