Strawberry Mansion, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Encyclopedia
Strawberry Mansion is a neighborhood in the United States
city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
, located east of Fairmount Park
in North Philadelphia. It has a large and predominantly African-American population. The neighborhood is bounded by 33rd Street in the west, 29th Street in the east, Lehigh Ave to the north, and Oxford Street in the South. As of the 2000 census, the neighborhood had a population of 22,562. It is often associated with the historic house of the same name, Historic Strawberry Mansion
, located adjacent to the neighborhood and generally thought to be the source of the community's name.
In 2005, the 19121 zip code
, which contains Strawberry Mansion, had a median home sale price of $47,900. This was an 85% increase, the largest of any zip code in Philadelphia, from the 2004 median sale price.
, at one time housing a restaurant known for Strawberrys and Cream. Strawberry Mansion was home to a number of Philadelphia's wealthiest families in the 19th Century. It became a a mixed income, predominantly Jewish neighborhood, then, since the middle of the 20th Century, the neighborhood has been struck by economic decline and urban decay. Modern Strawberry Mansion has acquired the reputation as one of the most dangerous areas of Philadelphia. The neighborhood is quite large geographically and in population and has been difficult to police or maintain with historically inadequate city funding. However, as of 2005, the southern and western boundaries of Strawberry Mansion have shown signs of gentrification. Feeding off the mixed successes of its southern neighbor Brewerytown
, artist lofts have been planned in derelict factories. Additionally, property values have risen dramatically on properties which abut Fairmount Park
on the western boundary of Strawberry Mansion. Once one of the wealthiest areas in all of Philadelphia, there are a number of stately park-side homes in varying states of disrepair. Several structures have already been completely restored, in an area that was ignored for decades. Crime and frequent shootings continue to plague the area.
Jazz saxophonist John Coltrane
lived at 1511 North 33rd Street in Strawberry Mansion from 1952 to 1958, and later bought it for his mother. The John Coltrane House
is currently owned by his cousin, and it is designated a National Historic Landmark
.
NBA player Ronald "Flip" Murray
attended Strawberry Mansion High School. Also as a child, grammy nominated singer/songwriter Jazmine Sullivan
lived in Strawberry Mansion.
Strawberry Mansion has also been home to horses and urban cowboys for generations. One local group, the Fletcher Street Urban Riding Club
, provides activities and support to neighborhood kids in the struggling area.
and the Schuylkill River
. The Residential Development Authority defines the community as being bounded by the Amtrak
train tracks, 29th Street, 33rd Street, Lehigh Avenue, Ridge Avenue, and York Street.
serves Strawberry Mansion.
Strawberry Mansion High School is in the neighborhood.
The high school and the area middle school shared a building with a third school elementary school Leslie P. Hill, which is now a K-8 school. Many children attend elementary, junior, and high school without leaving the building.
Strawberry Manion ushistory.org
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
city of Philadelphia, 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...
, located east of Fairmount Park
Fairmount Park
Fairmount Park is the municipal park system of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It consists of 63 parks, with , all overseen by the Philadelphia Department of Parks and Recreation, successor to the Fairmount Park Commission in 2010.-Fairmount Park proper:...
in North Philadelphia. It has a large and predominantly African-American population. The neighborhood is bounded by 33rd Street in the west, 29th Street in the east, Lehigh Ave to the north, and Oxford Street in the South. As of the 2000 census, the neighborhood had a population of 22,562. It is often associated with the historic house of the same name, Historic Strawberry Mansion
Historic Strawberry Mansion
Historic Strawberry Mansion is a summer home originally built for Judge William Lewis in 1789. It is located in East Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA....
, located adjacent to the neighborhood and generally thought to be the source of the community's name.
In 2005, the 19121 zip code
ZIP Code
ZIP codes are a system of postal codes used by the United States Postal Service since 1963. The term ZIP, an acronym for Zone Improvement Plan, is properly written in capital letters and was chosen to suggest that the mail travels more efficiently, and therefore more quickly, when senders use the...
, which contains Strawberry Mansion, had a median home sale price of $47,900. This was an 85% increase, the largest of any zip code in Philadelphia, from the 2004 median sale price.
History
Formerly known as Summerville, the neighborhood takes its name from a house known as Strawberry MansionHistoric Strawberry Mansion
Historic Strawberry Mansion is a summer home originally built for Judge William Lewis in 1789. It is located in East Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA....
, at one time housing a restaurant known for Strawberrys and Cream. Strawberry Mansion was home to a number of Philadelphia's wealthiest families in the 19th Century. It became a a mixed income, predominantly Jewish neighborhood, then, since the middle of the 20th Century, the neighborhood has been struck by economic decline and urban decay. Modern Strawberry Mansion has acquired the reputation as one of the most dangerous areas of Philadelphia. The neighborhood is quite large geographically and in population and has been difficult to police or maintain with historically inadequate city funding. However, as of 2005, the southern and western boundaries of Strawberry Mansion have shown signs of gentrification. Feeding off the mixed successes of its southern neighbor Brewerytown
Brewerytown, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Brewerytown is a neighborhood in the North Philadelphia district of the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. An unofficial region, Brewerytown runs approximately between the Schuylkill River's eastern bank and 25th Street, bounded by Cecil B. Moore Avenue to the north and Parrish...
, artist lofts have been planned in derelict factories. Additionally, property values have risen dramatically on properties which abut Fairmount Park
Fairmount Park
Fairmount Park is the municipal park system of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It consists of 63 parks, with , all overseen by the Philadelphia Department of Parks and Recreation, successor to the Fairmount Park Commission in 2010.-Fairmount Park proper:...
on the western boundary of Strawberry Mansion. Once one of the wealthiest areas in all of Philadelphia, there are a number of stately park-side homes in varying states of disrepair. Several structures have already been completely restored, in an area that was ignored for decades. Crime and frequent shootings continue to plague the area.
Jazz saxophonist John Coltrane
John Coltrane
John William Coltrane was an American jazz saxophonist and composer. Working in the bebop and hard bop idioms early in his career, Coltrane helped pioneer the use of modes in jazz and later was at the forefront of free jazz...
lived at 1511 North 33rd Street in Strawberry Mansion from 1952 to 1958, and later bought it for his mother. The John Coltrane House
John Coltrane House
John Coltrane House was the home of saxophonist and jazz pioneer John Coltrane from 1952 until 1958. He continued to use the house as an alternate residence to his New York home until the end of his life. On his death in 1967 the house passed to his cousin...
is currently owned by his cousin, and it is designated a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
.
NBA player Ronald "Flip" Murray
Ronald Murray
Ronald "Flip" Murray is an American professional basketball player, who currently plays for Efes Pilsen S.K. in Turkey. Murray is a , point guard–shooting guard. In the NBA he most recently played for the Chicago Bulls...
attended Strawberry Mansion High School. Also as a child, grammy nominated singer/songwriter Jazmine Sullivan
Jazmine Sullivan
Jazmine Marie Sullivan is an American recording artist from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She is also the protégé of rapper Missy Elliott. Her debut single "Need U Bad" reached number one on Billboards Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, while her second single, "Bust Your Windows" peaked at number four...
lived in Strawberry Mansion.
Strawberry Mansion has also been home to horses and urban cowboys for generations. One local group, the Fletcher Street Urban Riding Club
Fletcher Street Urban Riding Club
The Fletcher Street Urban Riding Club is an inner-city horsemanship program in north Philadelphia, where local horsemen teach neighborhood youth to ride and care for horses while encouraging academic excellence. The unusual homegrown community program provides children and youth with positive ways...
, provides activities and support to neighborhood kids in the struggling area.
Cityscape
The community is located at the intersection of 33rd Street and Diamond Street, east of Fairmount ParkFairmount Park
Fairmount Park is the municipal park system of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It consists of 63 parks, with , all overseen by the Philadelphia Department of Parks and Recreation, successor to the Fairmount Park Commission in 2010.-Fairmount Park proper:...
and the Schuylkill River
Schuylkill River
The Schuylkill River is a river in Pennsylvania. It is a designated Pennsylvania Scenic River.The river is about long. Its watershed of about lies entirely within the state of Pennsylvania. The source of its eastern branch is in the Appalachian Mountains at Tuscarora Springs, near Tamaqua in...
. The Residential Development Authority defines the community as being bounded by the Amtrak
Amtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
train tracks, 29th Street, 33rd Street, Lehigh Avenue, Ridge Avenue, and York Street.
Education
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...
serves Strawberry Mansion.
Strawberry Mansion High School is in the neighborhood.
The high school and the area middle school shared a building with a third school elementary school Leslie P. Hill, which is now a K-8 school. Many children attend elementary, junior, and high school without leaving the building.
Notable residents
- Allen RosenbergAllen Rosenberg (rower)Allen Perry Rosenberg is an American former rower and rowing coach. He won 12 international and national gold and silver medals as a rower, and teams he coached won more than 24 gold and silver medals in the Olympics and world championships.-Early life:Rosenberg, who is Jewish, was born in...
(born 1931), rower and rowing coach
See also
- Historic Strawberry MansionHistoric Strawberry MansionHistoric Strawberry Mansion is a summer home originally built for Judge William Lewis in 1789. It is located in East Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA....
- Strawberry Mansion BridgeStrawberry Mansion BridgeThe Strawberry Mansion Bridge is a steel arch truss bridge across the Schuylkill River in Fairmount Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States....
Further reading
Allen Meyers, Strawberry Mansion: the Jewish community of North Philadelphia, Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2000.Strawberry Manion ushistory.org