Immigration: The Polish Provide Philadelphia With History
Poland’s presence may have even preceded Christopher Columbus’ arrival in the Newfoundland with the navigation of the mysterious John Scolvus, sometimes referred to as John of Kolno. While a lack of records make this a disputable claim, it is clear that the Polish have aided America since its very beginning. “The bond between Poland and […]
Poplar: Five Pieces of Philadelphia History
The original city plans laid out on a map by William Penn only included the area between the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers between Vine and South streets. People, however, settled outside of those areas, including what is now known as the Poplar neighborhood. “Certain neighborhoods were settled by individuals from certain parts of Europe or were […]
Chinatown North/Callowhill: Naming the Neighborhood Proves To Be Longtime Challenge
There’s a battle of sorts being waged near the Vine Street Expressway. Development throughout the entire city has been picking up over the past few years in Philadelphia, and the area north of Chinatown is no exception. But it’s not just arguments over development that are sparking debate between community leaders in the neighborhood north […]
City Hall: Eight Statues That Help Tell The History of Philadelphia
The plazas surrounding City Hall are enriched with iconic statues. From the 37-foot-tall monument of William Penn at the top of the building to the smaller statues scattered around the base of the structure, these figures are meant to memorialize the lives and accomplishments of Philadelphians of past eras. Locals and tourists hustle through their […]
Center City: Five Parks That Make You Forget You’re In Philadelphia
Philadelphia is full of parks and lush gardens that make it easy to forget it’s a large city on the East Coast. Rittenhouse, Graduate Hospital and Logan Square are three neighborhoods within walking distance of each other and include some of the most walker- and biker-friendly areas in Center City. They’re home to some of the […]
Sharswood: Civic Association Trying to Navigate Redevelopment
Warren McMichael and Talmadge Belo of Sharswood say they have seen it all in terms of construction and development in their neighborhood. The lifelong residents retired from their careers in education and manufacturing, respectively, to bring as many resources they could get their hands on to their struggling streets. McMichael, the president, and Belo, the vice […]
Northwest: Enemies of the Wissahickon
William Penn believed that open, natural spaces worked positively on the mind as well as the body, providing respite from the chaotic pace of urban life as well as the unsanitary closeness of quarters. Today, more than 10 percent of the land within Philadelphia is park territory. Tucked inside the Northwest sits the 1,800-acre Wissahickon Valley […]
Wynnefield: Townwatch Essential for Residents
[vimeo 64087895] While crime in Wynnefield may be minimal today, long-time residents say this wasn’t always the case. Paul Zimmerman Jr., has lived in Wynnefield for over 25 years and has witnessed shootings, thefts and even a murder in the past. “I had a nephew that used to live here and he came out and found a […]