Torresdale, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Encyclopedia
This article is about a place in Pennsylvania; for the United Kingdom locations, see Torrisdale (disambiguation)
Torresdale, also formerly known as Torrisdale, is a neighborhood in the Far Northeast
section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
. Torresdale is located along the Delaware River
between Holmesburg and Bensalem Township
in neighboring Bucks County
.
The adjacent confluence of the Poquessing Creek
with the Delaware River
had been favored by William Penn
's surveyor, Thomas Holme
, as the site for the city that Penn planned to found. Although a more southerly site was finally selected, Holme and others acquired property there, where he is buried.
Before the Act of Consolidation, 1854
, Torresdale had been part of Delaware Township
of Philadelphia County
, and before 1853, part of Lower Dublin Township
of the same county.
In 1894, Torresdale was the site of the regatta of the Rowing Association of American Colleges
.
Long before there was what is referred to today as the Pennsylvania Main Line
, Torresdale, along with Holmesburg to its south and Andalusia
to its north, had been Philadelphia's posh suburban neighborhood, as evidenced by, for example, Glenn Foerd on the Delaware, a luxurious riverside estate.
.
The Frankford Avenue Bridge over Poquessing Creek
is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
.
All Saints' Episcopal Church was established in 1772.
Eden Hall Chapel, built in 1849, was demolished in 2007.
The municipal Baxter Water Treatment Plant opened in 1909 as the Torresdale Water Treatment Plant.
Glen Foerd at Torresdale
is a historic mansion built in 1850, listed on the National Register of Historic Places
.
, William J. Green, Jr.
, William J. Green, III
, Francis Anthony Drexel
, Saint Mother Katharine Drexel
, 1930s news commentator Boake Carter
and Gia Carangi
.
Torresdale, also formerly known as Torrisdale, is a neighborhood in the Far Northeast
Northeast Philadelphia
Northeast Philadelphia, nicknamed Northeast Philly, the Northeast and the Great Northeast, is a section of the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. According to the 2000 Census, the Northeast has a sizable percentage of the city's 1.547 million people — a population of between 300,000 and 450,000,...
section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
. Torresdale is located along the 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...
between Holmesburg and Bensalem Township
Bensalem Township, Pennsylvania
Bensalem Township is a township in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States which borders the northeast section of Philadelphia. The township is composed of many communities, including Bensalem, Trevose, Oakford, Cornwells Heights, Eddington, and Andalusia...
in neighboring Bucks County
Bucks County, Pennsylvania
- Industry and commerce :The boroughs of Bristol and Morrisville were prominent industrial centers along the Northeast Corridor during World War II. Suburban development accelerated in Lower Bucks in the 1950s with the opening of Levittown, Pennsylvania, the second such "Levittown" designed by...
.
The adjacent confluence of the Poquessing Creek
Poquessing Creek
Poquessing Creek is a creek, a right tributary of the Delaware River, that forms part of the boundary between Bucks County and the northeast section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It has been part of the boundary between Bucks and Philadelphia counties since 1682.The creek arises in Trevose and...
with the 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...
had been favored by 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...
's surveyor, Thomas Holme
Thomas Holme
Thomas Holme was the first Surveyor General of Pennsylvania to actually serve, in which capacity he laid out the original plan for the city of Philadelphia.-Life:...
, as the site for the city that Penn planned to found. Although a more southerly site was finally selected, Holme and others acquired property there, where he is buried.
History
Torresdale, originally Torrisdale, was named by Charles Macalester for his Scotland home.Before the Act of Consolidation, 1854
Act of Consolidation, 1854
The Act of Consolidation, more formally known as the act of February 2, 1854 , was enacted by General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and approved February 2, 1854 by Governor William Bigler...
, Torresdale had been part of Delaware Township
Delaware Township, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
Delaware Township is a defunct township that was located in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. The borough ceased to exist and was incorporated into the City of Philadelphia following the passage of the Act of Consolidation, 1854.-History:...
of Philadelphia County
Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
-History:Tribes of Lenape were the first known occupants in the area which became Philadelphia County. The first European settlers were Swedes and Finns who arrived in 1638. The Netherlands seized the area in 1655, but permanently lost control to England in 1674...
, and before 1853, part of Lower Dublin Township
Lower Dublin Township, Pennsylvania
Lower Dublin Township, also known as Dublin Township, is a defunct township that was located in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. The township ceased to exist and was incorporated into the City of Philadelphia following the passage of the Act of Consolidation, 1854.-History:Commonly called Lower...
of the same county.
In 1894, Torresdale was the site of the regatta of the Rowing Association of American Colleges
Rowing Association of American Colleges
The Rowing Association of American Colleges is considered to be the very first collegiate athletic organization in the country. Upon organization by the captains of the leading crews of the day, they devised a primary rule of eligibility: that only undergraduate students should be eligible to...
.
Long before there was what is referred to today as the Pennsylvania Main Line
Pennsylvania Main Line
The Main Line is an unofficial historical and socio-cultural region of suburban Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, comprising a collection of affluent towns built along the old Main Line of the Pennsylvania Railroad which ran northwest from downtown Philadelphia parallel to Lancaster Avenue , a road...
, Torresdale, along with Holmesburg to its south and Andalusia
Andalusia, Pennsylvania
Andalusia is a historic neighborhood in Bensalem Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, bordering Philadelphia. The ZIP code is 19020. The area is the southernmost part of the township and of the county. Its boundaries are: Woodhaven Road to the northeast, the Delaware River to the east and south,...
to its north, had been Philadelphia's posh suburban neighborhood, as evidenced by, for example, Glenn Foerd on the Delaware, a luxurious riverside estate.
Notable sites
Torresdale is the site of Holy Family UniversityHoly Family University
- History :Holy Family University is a liberal arts university that offers graduate, undergraduate, and non-degree programs. The university strives and believes that it has a lifelong responsibility towards God, Society and Self. The mission statement of Holy Family Includes six core values that...
.
The Frankford Avenue Bridge over Poquessing Creek
Poquessing Creek
Poquessing Creek is a creek, a right tributary of the Delaware River, that forms part of the boundary between Bucks County and the northeast section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It has been part of the boundary between Bucks and Philadelphia counties since 1682.The creek arises in Trevose and...
is listed on 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...
.
All Saints' Episcopal Church was established in 1772.
Eden Hall Chapel, built in 1849, was demolished in 2007.
The municipal Baxter Water Treatment Plant opened in 1909 as the Torresdale Water Treatment Plant.
Glen Foerd at Torresdale
Glen Foerd at Torresdale
Glen Foerd is a historic mansion located in the Torresdale neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, overlooking the Delaware River.Glen Foerd was built about 1850 by Charles Macalester, a prosperous businessman and broker, who named it Glengarry. In 1893, the mansion was purchased by Robert H....
is a historic mansion built in 1850, listed on 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...
.
Notable residents
Prominent former residents include Virginia KnauerVirginia Knauer
Virginia Harrington Knauer was a American Republican politician. She served as the Special Assistant to the President for Consumer Affairs and Director of the U.S. Office of Consumer Affairs...
, William J. Green, Jr.
William J. Green, Jr.
William Joseph Green, Jr. was a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania.William J. Green was born in Philadelphia, PA. He graduated from St. Joseph’s Preparatory School, and attended St. Joseph’s College, Philadelphia, PA. He was engaged in business as an...
, William J. Green, III
William J. Green, III
William Joseph Green, III is a former member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania. Green also served as the 94th Mayor of Philadelphia.-Youth:...
, Francis Anthony Drexel
Francis Anthony Drexel
Francis Anthony Drexel was a Philadelphia banker.-Biography:He was born on June 20, 1824 to Francis Martin Drexel. He had two brothers, Anthony Joseph Drexel and Joseph William Drexel.He married Hannah J...
, Saint Mother Katharine Drexel
Katharine Drexel
Saint Katharine Drexel, S.B.S., was an American Religious Sister, heiress, philanthropist and educator, later canonized as a Roman Catholic saint.-Life and religious work:...
, 1930s news commentator Boake Carter
Boake Carter
Harold Thomas Henry Carter , aka Boake Carter, was an American national news commentator in the 1930s and early 1940s. He was born in Baku, Russian Empire , where his father, Thomas Carter, worked for a British oil company...
and Gia Carangi
Gia Carangi
Gia Marie Carangi was an American fashion model during the late 1970s and early 1980s. Carangi is considered by some to be the first supermodel, although that title has been given to others, including Janice Dickinson, Dorian Leigh, and Jean Shrimpton...
.