Mount Airy, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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For other uses, see Mount Airy.

Mount Airy is a neighborhood in Northwest Philadelphia in the state of Pennsylvania in the United States. It is bounded by Chestnut Hill and Germantown to the north and south respectively. Across the Wissahickon creek to the west lies Roxborough, and Cedarbrook lies to the east. The zip code for Mount Airy is 19119.

Contents 1 History 2 Racial integration 3 Geography 4 Demographics 5 Education 6 Transportation 7 Notable residents 8 References 9 External links

[edit] History

William Allen, prominent Philadelphia merchant and Chief Justice of the Province of Pennsylvania, built his mansion and estate on Germantown Avenue in 1750, and the area eventually took the building's name, Mount Airy, as its own. ^[1] Before this, the area was known as Beggarstown (also Beggars-town or Beggar Town). Beggarstown is a corruption of Bebberstown, an area of Germantown Avenue between Gorgas Lane and Cliveden Street that had been named for Rev. Mathias van Bebber. ^{[2] [3]}

Much of Mount Airy was developed in the 19th and early 20th centuries, spreading out from Germantown Avenue and two railroad lines. Large three-story, grey stone Victorian houses and mansions, with stained glass windows and slate roofs are situated on many of the area's tree lined streets, and dominate districts like West Mount Airy's Pelham section.

[edit] Racial integration

The area is recognized by many civil rights groups as one of the first successfully integrated neighborhoods in America. ^{[citations needed]} Mount Airy continues to be the most well-blended neighborhood in Philadelphia, and was recently cited in Oprah Winfrey's O magazine for its racial diversity and neighborhood appeal. The community has also been recognized by US News & World Report for racial harmony and balance.

The overall proportion of blacks and whites is similar to the overall demographics of Philadelphia. There is a large Jewish community in Mount Airy, and the Germantown Jewish Centre is located in West Mount Airy. Mount Airy has long been the neighborhood of choice for the city's elite African Americans. Mount Airy is also known for being gay-friendly, and two-mother or two-father families are not uncommon in parts of the neighborhood. ^{[citations needed]}

[edit] Geography

Mount Airy's main commercial district lies along cobblestoned Germantown Avenue, which also divides the neighborhood between East and West Mount Airy. Like Chestnut Hill, Mount Airy has a large array of Mom and Pop style boutiques and eateries that cater to a baby boomer generation consumer — especially those who live and work in Philadelphia, and seek alternatives to the suburban malls. The style of this shopping district along The Avenue gives it a small town feel, though there are also a few chain stores, such as the Wawa at Germantown and Allens Lane that serves as an unofficial nexus for teenagers. One of the stand-out features along Germantown Avenue is the Sedgwick Theater, a 1920s Art Deco movie theater, one of the few remaining in Philadelphia.

[edit] Demographics

In addition to racial integration, Mount Airy is sometimes noted for the presence of many of its residents having advanced degrees. ^{[citations needed]} This could explain why Mount Airy's residents tend to be more engaged in Philadelphia City politics, which may give Mount Airy a leg-up when it comes to resources and city services. The political tone of the neighborhood is predominantly liberal.^{[citations needed]} Mount Airy is favored as a neighborhood of choice for city politicians, judges, and others who are required to reside within the city's limits.^{[citations needed]} One prominent Mount Airy politician is former Republican mayoral candidate Sam Katz.

Mount Airy residents often resist the interest from larger, trendy chain stores, and prefer their small co-op grocery stores and local, tented farmers' markets. ^{[citations needed]} Upscale ethnic restaurants are common and well supported.

West Mount Airy has a reputation for being affluent, similar to Chestnut Hill, and the East more working class, although counter-examples abound. ^{[citations needed]} In general, the affluence of the neighborhood increases with proximity to Fairmount Park and Chestnut Hill. West Mount Airy has a small commercial district of its own centered around Greene Street and Carpenter Lane; East Mount Airy has a more diffuse distribution of corner stores, and commercial corridors along Chew and Stenton Avenues.

In 2005, the median home sale price in the 19119 zip code was $188,409. This was an increase of 18% over the median sale price in 2004. ^{[citations needed]}

[edit] Education

Public schools in the neighborhood include C. W. Henry, Henry H. Houston Elementary School, Eleanor Cope Emlen, J. E. Hill, Leeds Middle School, and the Academy of the Middle Years (AMY) Northwest. Most of these schools are much less ethnically diverse than the neighborhood as a whole, Henry being a notable exception. ^{[citations needed]} Mount Airy's neighborhood public high school is Martin Luther King High which is located in East Germantown. Private schools include the Waldorf School of Philadelphia, Project Learn, and Holy Cross Catholic School.

Many children living in Mount Airy go to school outside the neighborhood. ^{[citations needed]} Some of Philadelphia's best regarded magnet schools, such as Girl's High, CAPA, Central and Masterman traditionally have a disproportionate amount of their studentry from Mount Airy. Germantown Friends School, a Quaker school in nearby Germantown, is one of the numerous private schools in the area that has a sizable population from Mount Airy.

[edit] Transportation

Most residents drive and the commute to Center City takes no more than 20 minutes without heavy traffic, but the SEPTA Regional Rail lines are very popular for getting into Center City. The R8 runs through West Mount Airy, and the R7 through East Mount Airy. The neighborhood is also served by bus routes 18, 23 (formerly a trolley line), 53, H, XH and L.

[edit] Notable residents

Well-known people who have resided in Mount Airy:

• Eric Bazilian
• Dan Bricklin
• Mat Johnson
• John McWhorter
• Kurt Rosenwinkel
• Zalman Schachter-Shalomi

[edit] References