South Philadelphia

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South Philadelphia nick-named "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. South Philadelphia is coterminous with the zip codes 19145, 19146, 19147, and 19148. As of the 2000 Census, the population was 162,683. It is an area rich in immigrant culture, the home to many Italian-American and Irish-American families who settled in the area starting in the late 19th and 20th century. Many residents have lived in the neighborhood for decades, and the lovingly maintained homes bring an air of dignity and stability to many blocks. On many of the corners you can find a pizzeria or a family-owned variety store.

Contents 1 History 2 Government 3 Geography 4 Demographics 5 Transportation 6 Places of Note 7 References

[edit] History

South Philadelphia began as a satellite town of Philadelphia, with small townships such as Moyamensing and Southwark. 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. This led to its incorporation into Philadelphia in 1854. The area continued to grow, becoming a vital part of Philadelphia's large industrial base and attracting immigrants from Italy, Poland, Russia, and many others countries during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These immigrants 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.^[1]

Recently, South Philadelphia has gone through a period of rapid change. An increase in immigration has given South Philadelphia significant populations from Vietnam, China, Puerto Rico, India, Russia, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic, as well as smaller populations from dozens of nations across the world. The recent revitalization of Center City Philadelphia has lead 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. Also, previously, for various reasons, many second and third generation South Philadelphians began moving en masse to South Jersey when the Walt Whitman Bridge was opened in the mid 20th century. These events have resulted in perhaps the largest change in South Philadelphia's culture in nearly a hundred years.

[edit] Government

South Philadelphia is represented in Philadelphia City Council by Council President Anna C. Verna and Councilman Frank DiCicco. At-Large Councilman Jim Kenney is a South Philadelphia resident. Former Mayor of Philadelphia Frank Rizzo was a South Philadelphia Native.

South Philadelphia is traditionally working-class and highly unionized. This has resulted in a heavily Democratic populace.

[edit] Geography

South Philadelphia is located at 39° 55' 23 North, 75° 10' 31 West. (39.9231° N 75.1753° W)

According to the United States Census Bureau, South Philadelphia has an area of 9.7 sq. miles, of which none is water.

[edit] Demographics

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 racial make up is 51.5% White, 33.0% Black, 8.8% Asian, 3.6% Hispanic, 2.7% Multiracial, and 0.2% American Indian. The ethnic makeup of South Philadelphia is 21.5% Italian, 19.4% Irish, 9.4% German, and 5.1% Polish.

[edit] 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 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).

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.

[edit] Places of Note

Perhaps the most famous landmark in South Philadelphia is the 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 hockey), Philadelphia Phantoms (minor league hockey), Philadelphia Kixx (indoor soccer), Philadelphia Wings (lacrosse), and Philadelphia Soul (arena 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 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. It is stated in the Milano family folklore that Salvatore Milano, born in Pietraperzia, Enna, Sicily, who lived 806 Federal Street, was to go into partnership with Pat in opening his steak sandwich shop back in the early 1930's. However, at the last minute, Milano pulled out at to open his own shop, near to 6th & Catherine, or thereabouts. Needless to say no one has heard of Salvatore Milano (his shop failed), but Pat's went on to become famous as being "King of the Steaks". Also, nearby is the city's open-air Italian Market, specializing in fresh produce, meats, and other foods.

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) for several blocks. Many bars, nightspots, shops, tattoo parlors, and restaurants are located along this neon-lit hotspot, with occasional live music venues (including the Theatre of Living Arts) 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 brand new Best Buy, and Ikea stores for thousands of shoppers. It is called Columbus Commons.

Neighborhoods of the South Philadelphia section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
	Bella Vista - Girard Estate - Greenwich - Grays Ferry - Hawthorne - Italian Market - Marconi Plaza - Moyamensing - Packer Park - Passyunk Homes - Pennsport - Point Breeze - Queen Village - Schuykill - Southwark - Southwest Center City - Tasker - Wharton - Whitman - Wilson Park - West Passyunk
Philadelphia neighbohoods Center City - North Philadelphia - Northwest Philadelphia - The Northeast - South Philadelphia - Southwest Philadelphia - West Philadelphia

[edit] References