Old City, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Encyclopedia
Neighbourhood
A neighbourhood or neighborhood is a geographically localised community within a larger city, town or suburb. Neighbourhoods are often social communities with considerable face-to-face interaction among members. "Researchers have not agreed on an exact definition...
in Center City, Philadelphia
Center City, Philadelphia
Center City, or Downtown Philadelphia includes the central business district and central neighborhoods of the City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. As of 2005, its population of over 88,000 made it the third most populous downtown in the United States, after New York City's and Chicago's...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, United States, in the area near e Delaware River
Delaware River
The Delaware River is a major river on the Atlantic coast of the United States.A Dutch expedition led by Henry Hudson in 1609 first mapped the river. The river was christened the South River in the New Netherland colony that followed, in contrast to the North River, as the Hudson River was then...
where William Penn
William Penn
William Penn was an English real estate entrepreneur, philosopher, and founder of the Province of Pennsylvania, the English North American colony and the future Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He was an early champion of democracy and religious freedom, notable for his good relations and successful...
and the Quakers
Religious Society of Friends
The Religious Society of Friends, or Friends Church, is a Christian movement which stresses the doctrine of the priesthood of all believers. Members are known as Friends, or popularly as Quakers. It is made of independent organisations, which have split from one another due to doctrinal differences...
first settled. To tourists, it is best known as the site of Independence Hall and its encompassing Independence National Historical Park
Independence National Historical Park
Independence National Historical Park is a United States National Historical Park in Philadelphia that preserves several sites associated with the American Revolution and the nation's founding history. Administered by the National Park Service, the park comprises much of the downtown historic...
, Elfreth's Alley
Elfreth's Alley
Elfreth's Alley is a residential alley located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited residential streets in the country, dating back to the early 18th century. It is a National Historic Landmark...
, the Betsy Ross House
Betsy Ross House
The Betsy Ross House may be where Betsy Ross lived when she may have made the first American Flag. By 1876, several surviving family members said this was the location....
, and many of Philadelphia's other historic sites.
The Old City District occupies several blocks between Front and Sixth Streets, bounded by Vine Street to the north and Walnut Street to the south. The Philadelphia Almanac and Citizens' Manual gives a larger set of boundaries to the Old City area, defined as the area within Spring Garden Street, 4th Street, the Delaware River, and Walnut Street. The Old City Redevelopment Area is bound by Vine Street, the Delaware River, Lombard Street and 7th Street.
The Old City Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1972.
It is one of the city's popular nightlife destinations, with many lounges, dive bar
Dive bar
A dive bar is a type of bar or pub. Dive bars generally have a relaxed and informal atmosphere—they are often referred to by local residents as "neighborhood bars," where people in the neighborhood gather to drink and socialize...
s, and quality restaurants mostly along the three blocks from 3rd and Market streets to Front and Chestnut streets. The popular monthly First Friday event features open houses by many neighborhood art/design galleries and clothing boutiques. The 3rd Street Corridor, between Market Street and Vine Street, is home to many locally owned independent businesses. These art, design and fashion ventures make Old City a sought after destination for culture and commerce enjoyed locally, nationally and internationally. Landmark Theatres
Landmark Theatres
Landmark Theatres is the largest art house movie theater chain in the United States. It is owned by Mark Cuban and Todd Wagner through their 2929 Entertainment. The chain shows mostly first run independent, foreign film, and restored classics though some Landmark theaters also show more mainstream...
operates three Ritz movie theaters in the area, specializing in art films.
Consulates
Old City is the Philadelphia location for many foreign consulates to the U.S. The Consulate-General of Panama in PhiladelphiaDiplomatic missions of Panama
This is a list of diplomatic missions of Panama, excluding honorary consulates. Panama's status as major flag state for maritime vessels and owner of the Panama Canal has led to Panama opening missions in cities with significant harbour traffic, such as Rotterdam, Tampa and Kobe.-Europe:** Vienna...
is located in Suite 1 at 124 Chestnut Street. The Consulate-General of Italy in Philadelphia
Diplomatic missions of Italy
This is a list of diplomatic missions of Italy, excluding honorary consulates. Italy has a large global network of diplomatic missions. It is the only country in the world to have an embassy on its own territory - the Italian embassy to the Holy See is in Rome....
is located in the 1026 Public Ledger Building at 150 South Independence Mall West. The Consulate of Mexico in Philadelphia
Diplomatic missions of Mexico
This is a list of diplomatic missions of Mexico, excluding honorary consulates. Mexico's foreign service started in 1822, the year after the signing of the Treaty of Cordoba which marked the beginning of Mexico's independence...
is located in Suite 310 at 111 South Independence Mall East. The Consulate-General of the Dominican Republic in Philadelphia
Diplomatic missions of the Dominican Republic
This is a list of diplomatic missions of the Dominican Republic, excluding honorary consulates. The Dominican Republic occupies the eastern half of the island of Hispaniola.-Europe:**Vienna ** Brussels ** Antwerp...
was located in Suite 216 in the Lafayette Building at 437 Chestnut Street; it closed on November 7, 2005.
Education
Old City children are assigned to schools in the School District of PhiladelphiaSchool District of Philadelphia
The School District of Philadelphia is a school district based in the School District of Philadelphia Education Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, that includes all public schools in the city of Philadelphia. Established in 1818, it is the eighth largest school district in the nation.The School...
.
Residents are zoned to the General George A. McCall School for grades Kindergarten through 8. and Furness High School
Furness High School
Horace Howard Furness High School is a secondary school in the South Philadelphia area of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. It is part of the School District of Philadelphia....
for high school.
Public libraries
The Free Library of PhiladelphiaFree Library of Philadelphia
The Free Library of Philadelphia is the public library system serving Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.-History:History of the Free Library of Philadelphia: Initiated by the efforts of Dr...
operates the Independence Branch at 18 South 7th Street.
See also
- Independence National Historical ParkIndependence National Historical ParkIndependence National Historical Park is a United States National Historical Park in Philadelphia that preserves several sites associated with the American Revolution and the nation's founding history. Administered by the National Park Service, the park comprises much of the downtown historic...
- Old City Special Services District of PhiladelphiaOld City Special Services District of PhiladelphiaOld City Special Services District of Philadelphia is a municipal authority providing business improvement district services in the Old City neighborhood of Center City, Philadelphia.-Sidewalk cleaning:...
- Girard Fountain ParkGirard Fountain ParkGirard Fountain Park is a pocket park in the Old City neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at 325 Arch Street. It is open to the public during daylight hours and is maintained by the Philadelphia Fire Department....