Whitman, Philadelphia
| Whitman | |
|---|---|
| Neighborhood of Philadelphia | |
|
Whitman Branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia | |
| Country |
 United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Philadelphia County |
| City | Philadelphia |
| Area code(s) | Area code 215 |
Whitman is a neighborhood in the South Philadelphia section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. It is bounded on the west by Sixth Street, on the east by Front Street, on the south by Bigler Street, and on the north by Snyder Avenue. The name "Whitman" was adopted when the nearby Walt Whitman Bridge was being constructed in the 1950s.[1] Coordinates: 39°55′03″N 75°09′13″W / 39.91757°N 75.15365°W
Demographics
According to the 2000 Census, Whitman has 26,300 inhabitants (combined with Queen Village and Southwark). The racial makeup of the community is White, 60 percent; Black, 27 percent; Asian, 8 percent; Latino, 5 percent. About 40 percent of the population is under 18. It has a large Catholic Italian American population and very large Irish American population as well.
Origin of the name
When the neighborhood was declared an urban-renewal area in the mid-1950s, the nearby Walt Whitman Bridge also was being constructed. It was only logical, then, to lend the poet's name to the neighborhood as well.
Famous residents
- Joey Coyle, who stole $1.2 million that fell from an armored truck. His story was developed into a 1993 movie, Money for Nothing, starring John Cusack.
Major landmarks
- Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 2329 S. Third St., which is more than 100 years old.
- Mifflin Square, Fifth and Wolf Streets.
- Whitman Library, 200 Snyder Ave.
- Whitman Plaza shopping center, Fourth Street and Oregon Avenue.
- YPC Shari-Eli synagogue, 728 W Moyamensing Avenue
The George Sharswood School and SS United States are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[2]
Architecture
Mostly two-bedroom rowhomes that later were expanded to include extra rooms; most are constructed from brick.
State Senate district
First, Larry Farnese (D)
State House district
184th, William Keller (D)
City Council district
First, Mark Squilla (D)
Ward
39th
Police district
Third
Civic groups and townwatches
Whitman Town Watch, Whitman Council
Education
Schools
The School District of Philadelphia operates public schools.
- George Sharswood Elementary, 2300 S. Second St.
- John H. Taggart Elementary, 400 Porter St.
Public libraries
The Free Library of Philadelphia Whitman Branch serves the community.[3]
References
- ↑ The place where you live: Whitman
- ↑ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. 2010-07-09.
- ↑ "Whitman Branch." Free Library of Philadelphia. Retrieved on October 19, 2012.