South Philadelphia
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South Philadelphia, nicknamed South Philly, is the section of Philadelphia bounded by South Street to the north, the Delaware River to the east and south, and the Schuylkill River to the west.[1]
History
South Philadelphia began as a satellite town of Philadelphia, with small townships such as Moyamensing and Southwark.[2] During the Industrial Revolution, the area saw rapid growth, in part due to mass immigration from Ireland, and eventually saw its urbanization border that of Philadelphia. Along with all other jurisdictions in the county, South Philadelphia became part of the City of Philadelphia proper with passage of the city/county Act of Consolidation of 1854. The area continued to grow, becoming a vital part of Philadelphia's large industrial base and attracting immigrants from Italy, Ireland, Poland, and many other countries, as well as Black American migrants from the southern United States, in the 19th and early 20th centuries. These immigrants and migrants became the basis of South Philadelphia's unique and vibrant culture that would develop over the next several decades. Even with this dramatic growth in population, the low funding of education by the city resulted in the first high school not being formed in South Philadelphia until 1934.[3] Monsignor James F. Connelly, the pastor of the Stella Maris Catholic Church and an editor of the 1976 work The History of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, stated in a 2005 Philadelphia Inquirer article that each parish church "offer the immigrants the faith they were familiar with."[4]
Many of South Philadelphia's communities are largely Italian American. An increase in immigration has given South Philadelphia significant populations from Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Russia, and Mexico, as well as smaller populations from dozens of nations across the world. The recent revitalization of Center City Philadelphia has led to gentrification in Fitler Square, Graduate Hospital/Southwest Center City, which led to skyrocketing prices of housing in Queen Village, and Bella Vista, and some other parts of South Philadelphia. These events have resulted in perhaps the largest change in South Philadelphia's culture in nearly a hundred years.[citation needed] Many of the clubs that make up the annual Mummers Parade every New Year's Day are from South Philadelphia. Many are located on the largely Irish American 2nd street (Two Street).[5][6][7]
Government and infrastructure
Portions of South Philadelphia are within Philadelphia City Council Districts 1 and 2. As of 2008 Council President Anna C. Verna and Councilman Frank DiCicco represent the two districts.[1]
Philadelphia Fire Department operates nine fire stations serving South Philadelphia.[8] Most of South Philadelphia resides in Fire Battalion 1, headquartered at 711 South Broad Street. Portions of South Philadelphia reside in Battalion 4, headquartered at North 4th Street and Arch Street, and Battalion 11, headquartered at 43rd Street and Market Street.[1]
South Philadelphia is traditionally working-class and highly unionized. This has resulted in a heavily Democratic populace.[citation needed]
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, South Philadelphia has an area of 9.7 sq. miles, of which none is water. South Philadelphia is located at 39°55′23″N 75°10′31″W / 39.9231°N 75.1753°W.
Demographics
In 2000, the area's population was 162,683. It is home to a diverse population of Italian Americans, African Americans, Mexican Americans, and Irish Americans, as well as many newer immigrants. Many residents have lived in the neighborhood for decades. Many family-owned businesses are found in South Philadelphia. The Philadelphia Police Department patrols four districts located within South Philadelphia. The four patrol districts serving South Philadelphia are the 1st, 3rd, 4th, and 17th districts.[9]
As of the 2000 Census, there are 162,683 people in 78,440 housing units. The population density is 16,771 people per square mile. 46.6% of the population is male, and 53.4% is female. The South Philadelphia area comprises the zip codes of 19145, 19146, 19147, and 19148. Data for the zip codes that make up South Philadelphia as of the Census 2000 Summary File:
Transportation
I-95 runs north and south through South Philadelphia and, in this area, provides commuters with access to Philadelphia International Airport, I-76, the South Philadelphia Sports Complex, and the Walt Whitman Bridge. The Girard Point Bridge section of I-95 crosses over the mouth of the Schuylkill River, where it merges with the Delaware River.
I-76 becomes the Schuylkill Expressway at Passyunk Avenue in South Philadelphia and allows access between this section of the city and University City, Center City Philadelphia, 30th Street Station, and the western suburbs.
In addition, PA Route 291 serves as a major artery between the area and Delaware County, crossing the Schuylkill River via the Platt Bridge (named for Medal of Honor recipient George C. Platt). Broad Street (Philadelphia's equivalent of 14th St.) is also known as PA Route 611.
A number of SEPTA bus routes serve South Philadelphia, ferrying commuters to and from Center City Philadelphia and its immediate suburbs, mostly those in Delaware County. In addition, the transit system's Broad Street Line gives subway riders quick access to downtown and North Philadelphia destinations.
Crime
In a 2007 Philadelphia Weekly article journalist Steve Volk states that anti-drug activists said that South Philadelphia has secretive recreational drug dealing because more of the neighborhoods in the region are mixed-income than neighborhoods in some other regions. Therefore many drug dealers hide their activities.[10]
Education
Primary and secondary schools
Public schools
Residents are with the School District of Philadelphia's South District.[1] Zoned public high schools in South Philadelphia include South Philadelphia High School, Audenried High School, and Furness High School.[11][12][13][14]
Parochial schools
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia operates Roman Catholic private schools in the area. Catholic elementary and middle schools include Annunciation BVM, Epiphany of Our Lord, Holy Spirit, St. Monica, St. Nicholas of Tolentine, Our Lady of Angels, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, St. Richard School, Sacred Heart of Jesus, Stella Maris,St. Gabriel, and St. Thomas Aquinas.[15] Saints John Neumann and Maria Goretti Catholic High School is in South Philadelphia. The school is a 2004 consolidation of the male St. John Neumann High School, established in 1934, and the all-female St. Maria Goretti High School, established in 1955.[16] The former Neumann campus became the St. John Neumann Place, a housing development for senior citizens.[17] Martha Woodall of the Philadelphia Inquirer said "for generations, South Philadelphia was the heart of Roman Catholic education in the five-county Archdiocese of Philadelphia." In the early 1970s thirty South Philadelphia area elementary and middle schools had a combined population of 19,000 students. By the 2000s many Catholic families moved to South Jersey, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, and other areas, leading to the closure of several Roman Catholic elementary schools and the merger of Neumann and Goretti. In 2005 4,300 students combined attended 13 parish elementary and middle schools in South Philadelphia.[4]
Public libraries
Free Library of Philadelphia operates six branches in South Philadelphia: Charles Santore, Fumo Family, Queen Memorial, South Philadelphia, Thomas F. Donatucci, Sr. and Whitman.[18] Prior to its 1999 reopening in a new building, the Fumo Branch was known as the Ritner Children's Branch.[19]
Places of note
Perhaps the most famous landmark in South Philadelphia is the South Philadelphia Sports Complex at the corner of Broad Street and Pattison Avenue. Here, the Philadelphia Eagles (professional football), Philadelphia Phillies (professional baseball), Philadelphia 76ers (professional basketball), Philadelphia Flyers (professional ice hockey), Philadelphia Wings (professional lacrosse), Philadelphia Soul (professional arena football), Temple Owls (college football) and the annual Wing Bowl (an event sponsored by the sports talk radio station, 610-WIP) make their home in the massive state-of-the-art sports arenas surrounding the well-known intersection: Citizens Bank Park, Lincoln Financial Field, the now-closed Wachovia Spectrum, and the Wachovia Center.
The sports complex was once home to Veterans Stadium (The Vet) which stood from 1971 to 2004, and JFK Stadium which stood from 1925 to 1992. The NovaCare Complex, located on Pattison Avenue just west of the stadium area, serves as the practice facility of the Philadelphia Eagles. They now play at Lincoln Financial Field.
The intersection of 9th Street and Passyunk Avenue is home to the regionally famous Geno's Steaks and Pat's King of Steaks cheesesteak shops, fierce competitors in the local delicacy market for decades. Also, nearby is the city's open-air Italian Market, specializing in fresh produce, meats, and other foods, which is known from several famous scenes from the film Rocky and its sequels.
South Street, serving as a border between South Philadelphia proper and Center City Philadelphia, runs east and west (although traffic is forced to travel east one-way). Many bars, nightspots, shops, tattoo parlors, and restaurants are located along this neon-lit hotspot, with occasional live music venues (including the the TLA) hidden along the way.
The American Swedish Historical Museum is located in Franklin Delano Roosevelt Park.
The Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, location of the alleged Philadelphia Experiment, is located in this section of town along the Delaware River.
The Sunoco oil corporation bases its headquarters along South Philadelphia's Passyunk Avenue, located a short drive from the wide collection of car dealerships known as the "Philadelphia Auto Mall".
A refurbished area of South Philadelphia alongside Columbus Boulevard/Delaware Avenue (near the Walt Whitman Bridge) provides shopping at a Best Buy and an Ikea for thousands of shoppers. There are also many new chain restaurants and fast food establishments along this stretch including Longhorn Steakhouse, Famous Dave's Bar-B-Que Pit, and Chick-Fil-A just to name a few. This new shopping area goes by the name Columbus Commons.
Washington Avenue, between 16th St. on the west and Front St. on the east, is home to many Asian businesses, including Vietnamese, Chinese and Korean. Among these are restaurants of all types, two large Asian supermarkets, jewelers and a wide variety of specialty shops.
Passyunk Avenue, running on a diagonal from Broad Street to South Street, is a formerly thriving consumer district currently undergoing revitalization efforts. Within the past few years, several coffeeshops, restaurants and bars have opened appealing to the young population begin in inhabit the area around 11th and Passyunk.
The Arena at the corner of Swanson Street and Ritner Street is a venue known for hosting boxing and professional wrestling events.
Famous residents
- Al Alberts, singer and composer[20]
- Marian Anderson, opera singers and Congressional Gold Medal recipient[20][21]
- Frankie Avalon, actor, singer, teen idol[20]
- Joey Bishop, actor, comedian, member of the "Rat Pack"[20][22]
- Black Thought, MC and co-founder of The Roots[23]
- Danny Cedrone, bandleader, guitarist for "Rock Around the Clock"[24][25]
- Chubby Checker, singer of The Twist[20][26]
- Stanley Cowell, jazz pianist, founder of Strata-East Records, member of the Heath Brothers[27]
- Joey DeFrancesco, jazz organist, trumpeter, vocalist[27]
- Buddy DeFranco, jazz clarinet player[27]
- James DePreist, conductor of the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, director at the Juilliard School, laureate music director of the Oregon Symphony[27]
- Fred Diodati, lead singer of The Four Aces[27][28]
- Charles Earland, jazz composer, organist, saxophonist[27]
- Fabian 1950s teen idol[20][27]
- Wilhelmenia Fernandez, soprano, star of the film Diva[27]
- Larry Fine, member of the comedy act The Three Stooges[27][29]
- Linda Fiorentino, actress (Dogma, Men in Black, The Last Seduction)[27]
- Al Fisher, guard for the Kent State Golden Flashes[27]
- Eddie Fisher, singer, entertainer[20]
- Edwin Forrest, 19th century stage actor[27]
- Kenny Gamble, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame songwriting and record production team Gamble and Huff[27]
- Dusolina Giannini, soprano (Metropolitan Opera)[27]
- Vittorio Giannini, composer of operas, symphonies, and band music[27]
- Charlie Gracie, rock pioneer and singer[27]
- Isadore Granoff, founder of the Granoff School of Music[30]
- Buddy Greco, singer ("The Lady is a Tramp") and pianist[20][27]
- William Guarnere, nicknamed "Wild Bill", member of 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment E, "Easy Company"[citation needed]
- Frank Guarrera, baritone (Metropolitan Opera)[27]
- Albert "Tootie" Heath jazz drummer, member of the Heath Brothers[27]
- Jimmy Heath jazz tenor saxophonist, member of the Heath Brothers[27]
- Percy Heath double bass player for the Modern Jazz Quartet, member of the Heath Brothers[27]
- Edward "Babe" Heffron, member of 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment E, "Easy Company"[citation needed]
- Sherman Hemsley, actor (All in the Family, The Jeffersons, Amen)[31]
- Dom Irrera, comedian[27]
- Albert Innaurato, playwright, theatre director, and writer[27]
- Jerry Jaye, country/rockabilly singer ("My Girl Josephine")[27]
- Kitty Kallen, singer ("Little Things Mean a Lot")[27]
- Irvin Kershner, director (Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, RoboCop 2)[27]
- Jack Klugman, actor (The Odd Couple, Quincy, M.E., 12 Angry Men)[20][27]
- Joseph Kramm, playwright (Pulitzer Prize for The Shrike), actor, and director[27]
- Eddie Lang, jazz guitarist[27]
- Mario Lanza, tenor and actor (The Great Caruso)[20][27]
- Hy Lit, Philadelphia-area DJ from the 1950s until 2005[27]
- George Litto, film producer (Thieves Like Us, Dressed to Kill and Blow Out)[27]
- Bernie Lowe, songwriter, producer, arranger, founder of Cameo Records, launched careers of Chubby Checker, Charlie Gracie, Dee Dee Sharp, Bobby Rydell, The Orlons[27]
- Man Ray, modernist/Dada/Surrealist artist[27]
- Gloria Mann, pop singer ("Earth Angel")[27]
- Guy Marks, actor, singer, comedian and impressionist[27]
- Al Martino, singer ("Here in My Heart", "Volare") and actor (The Godfather, The Godfather Part III)[20][27]
- Pat Martino, jazz guitarist and composer[27]
- N. Richard Nash, writer and dramatist (The Rainmaker)[27]
- Fayard Nicholas, dancer (Nicholas Brothers)[27]
- Harold Nicholas, dancer (Nicholas Brothers)[27]
- Harry Olivieri, co-inventor of the cheesesteak[32]
- Pat Olivieri, co-inventor of the cheesesteak[32]
- Frank Palumbo, restaurateur, humanitarian and power broker; owner of Palumbo's"[33][34]
- Lisa Peluso, actress (Saturday Night Fever, Search for Tomorrow, Loving, Another World, One Life to Live)[27]
- Vincent Persichetti, composer, pianist, teacher at the Juilliard School (students included Philip Glass, Hall Overton, Kenneth Fuchs and Thelonious Monk)[27]
- Questlove, drummer and co-founder of The Roots[23]
- Florence Quivar, mezzo-soprano (Metropolitan Opera, Grammy Award for Porgy and Bess)[27]
- Peter Mark Richman, actor (Santa Barbara, Dynasty, Three's Company, Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan)[27]
- Frank Rizzo, mayor of Philadelphia (1972-1980)[35]
- LaVaughn Robinson, tap dancer, choreographer (a National Endowment of the Arts "Living National Treasure" and NEA National Heritage Fellowship award)[27]
- Bobby Rydell, singer ("Wild One", "Volaire"), actor (Bye Bye Birdie), teen idol[27]
- Jodie Sands, singer ("With All My Heart", "Someday (You'll Want Me to Want You)") [27]
- Dee Dee Sharp, singer ("Slow Twistin'" (with Chubby Checker), "Mashed Potato Time")[27]
- Beanie Siegel, rapper[36]
- Sylvester Stallone (briefly), actor (Rocky and Rambo franchises)[27]
- Joseph Stefano, Edgar Award winning screenwriter (Psycho)[27]
- George Tunnell, vocalist (Jan Savitt and the Top Hatters)[27]
- Charlie Ventura, tenor saxophonist and bandleader[27]
- Joe Venuti,[27] the father of jazz violin
- Stanley Weintraub, professor, historian, and biographer[27]
- Ed Wynn, Emmy Award winning (The Ed Wynn Show) and Academy Award nominated (The Diary of Anne Frank) actor (Ziegfeld Follies, The Great Man, Mary Poppins)[citation needed]
See also
- Aquarama Aquarium Theater of the Sea
- Benjamin Franklin Bridge
- Franklin Delano Roosevelt Park
- Italian Market, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Moyamensing Prison
- Naval Hospital Philadelphia
- Philadelphia Naval Shipyard
- Sesquicentennial Exposition
- Settlement Music School
- South Philadelphia High School
- South Philadelphia Sports Complex
- Walt Whitman Bridge
References
- ^ a b c d "The Political and Community Service Boundaries of Philadelphia." City of Philadelphia. Accessed November 8, 2008.
- ^ Where Pennsylvania History Began(by Henry D. Paxon, The Swedish Colonial Society, 1926)
- ^ The Peoples of Philadelphia: A History of Ethnic Groups and Lower-Class Life, 1790--1940. Temple University Press. 1973. p. 256. ISBN 0-87722-053-0.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ a b Woodall, Martha. "Unsteady times for neighborhood Catholic schools; Population changes have meant fewer elementaries and an unexpected merger." Philadelphia Inquirer. March 16, 2005.
- ^ Max L. Raab (2001). Strut! The Movie (DVD). Philadelphia: Max L. Raab Productions.
- ^ Welch, Jr., Charles E. (October - Dec., 1966). ""Oh, Dem Golden Slippers": The Philadelphia Mummers Parade". The Journal of American Folklore. 79 (314): 523–536. doi:10.2307/538218.
{{cite journal}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ Dubin, Murray (1996). South Philadelphia; Mummers, memories, and the Melrose Diner. Temple University Press. ISBN 1-56639-429-5.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ "Fire Houses." Philadelphia Fire Department. Accessed November 7, 2008.
- ^ PPD Online Patrol Districts, Philadelphia Police Department.
- ^ Volk, Steve. "Top 10 Drug Corners." Philadelphia Weekly. May 2, 2007. Retrieved on January 20, 2009.
- ^ "A Directory of High Schools for 2009 Admissions." School District of Philadelphia. Accessed November 6, 2008.
- ^ "From the Ashes." South Philly Review. November 1, 2007.
- ^ "Academic standards differ in Philadelphia." The Loquitur. May 4, 2006.
- ^ "SCHOOL'S FINALLY OUT FOR SUMMER STUDENTS." Philadelphia Inquirer. August 8, 1986. B01.
- ^ "Catholic Schools of South Philadelphia." Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Accessed November 6, 2008.
- ^ "Ss. John Neumann and Maria Goretti Catholic High School". Newsweek website. Retrieved 2007-05-11.
- ^ "ARCHDIOCESE AWARDED TAX CREDITS FOR ST. JOHN NEUMANN PLACE DEVELOPMENT TO MOVE FORWARD." Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia. March 10, 2006.
- ^ "Branch Map (older version)." Free Library of Philadelphia. Retrieved on November 7, 2008.
- ^ "Fumo Family Branch." Free Library of Philadelphia. Retrieved on November 7, 2008.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Broadcast Pioneers. Al Alberts, Broadcast Pioneer". Accessed 6 November 2008.
- ^ "Marian Anderson Biography". University of Pennsylvania Library Special Collections-MA Register 4 (Scope and Content Note). Last update: 31 January 2003.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); External link in|work= - ^ McLellan, Dennis (2007-10-18). "Joey Bishop, 89; comedian was last surviving member of Rat Pack". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2007-10-20.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ a b DeLuca, Dan. The Philadelphia Inquirer August 2006, "They proclaim to all the land: Philly is cool".
- ^ Dawson, Jim Rock Around the Clock: The Record That Started the Rock Revolution, Backbeat Books, 2005.
- ^ Rockabilly Hall of Fame. "Danny Cedrone". Accessed 6 November 2008.
- ^ Chubbychecker.comBiography. Accessed 6 November 2008.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc Dubin, Murray. South Philadelphia: Mummers, Memories, and the Melrose Diner. Temple University Press, 1996. ISBN 1566394295, 9781566394291
- ^ South Philadelphia High School Alumni Association. "SPHS Hall of Fame". Accessed 6 November 2008.
- ^ Jon's Bar and Grille. "About Larry". Accessed 6 November 2008.
- ^ Porter, Lewis. John Coltrane: His Life and Music, University of Michigan Press, 1999. ISBN 047208643X, 9780472086436.
- ^ The Museum of Broadcast Communications. "HEMSLEY, SHERMAN". Accessed 6 November 2008.
- ^ a b Sims, Gayle Ronan (July 22, 2006), "Obituary: Harry M. Olivieri / Philadelphia cheesesteak's co-creator", Philadelphia Inquirer
- ^ Kane, Larry. Larry Kane's Philadelphia, 2000. Temple University Press, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. ISBN 1566398061.
- ^ "MEMOIR: Me and Frank" Philadelphia Weekly, September 2005
- ^ Dilulio, John J. Jr. Washington Monthly, July-August, 1993. "Frank Rizzo, The Last Big Man in Big City America pt. 1"
- ^ USA Today. 26 September 2005, "Philadelphia rapper Beanie Sigel cleared". Accessed 6 November 2008.