Race Street (Philadelphia)
| Maintained by | PennDOT |
|---|---|
| Postal code | 19102, 19103, 1904 |
Race Street is a major east-west street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that runs parallel to Arch Street. It was one of William Penn's original gridded streets from the 1680s though named Sassafras Street.[1] It is listed by name on the map in Birch's Views of Philadelphia (1800) – Race and Arch Streets are listed by their original names, "Sassafras" and "Mulberry." The earliest official use of the name Cherry Street was in 1809.[2]
History
The name "Race Street" was originally a nickname given to the street as the street was used for horse racing in the 1800s. The name became official some time in the mid 1850s.
Points of interest
Center City
From east in Center City (near the Delaware River) to west (near the Schuylkill River):
- Elfreth's Alley
- Chinatown, Philadelphia
- Pennsylvania Convention Center
- Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
- Race Street Friends Meetinghouse
- Friends Select School
- Embassy Suites Hotel
West Philadelphia
Drexel University Campus, from 32nd to 34th Streets:
- Steinbright Career Development Center
- Design Arts Annex
- North Hall
- Tower Hall
- Race Street Hall (rear)
- Calhoun Hall (rear)
See also
References
- ^ Robert F. Looney, Old Philadelphia in Early Photographs, 1839–1913 (Courier, 2013).[1]
- ^ Alotta, Robert I. (1990). Mermaids, Monasteries, Cherokees, and Custer: The Stories Behind Philadelphia Street Names. Chicago, IL: Bonus Books, Inc. p. 52. ISBN 9780933893900.