West Philadelphia Streetcar Suburb Historic District
Encyclopedia
The West Philadelphia Streetcar Suburb Historic District is an area of West Philadelphia
listed on the National Register of Historic Places
because it represents the transformation of Philadelphia's rural farmland into urban residential development, made possible by the streetcar
, which provided easy access to Center City. This is an early example of the streetcar suburb
.
Development had proceeded during the 19th century to about 43rd Street. The arrival of electrified streetcars in 1892 accelerated development to the west and southwest.
Noted Philadelphia church architect Isaac Pursell
(1853-1910) designed the contributing Christ Memorial Church (1887) at 4233-4257 Chestnut Street.
West Philadelphia
West Philadelphia, nicknamed West Philly, is a section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Though there is no official definition of its boundaries, it is generally considered to reach from the western shore of the Schuylkill River, to City Line Avenue to the northwest, Cobbs Creek to the southwest, and...
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...
because it represents the transformation of Philadelphia's rural farmland into urban residential development, made possible by the streetcar
SEPTA Subway-Surface Trolley Lines
The Subway–Surface Trolley Lines or Green Lines are five SEPTA trolley lines that operate on street-level tracks in West Philadelphia and Delaware County, Pennsylvania, and in a shared subway with rapid transit trains in Philadelphia's Center City....
, which provided easy access to Center City. This is an early example of the streetcar suburb
Streetcar suburb
A streetcar suburb is a residential community whose growth and development was strongly shaped by the use of streetcar lines as a primary means of transportation. Early suburbs were served by horsecars, but by the late 19th century cable cars and electric streetcars, or trams, were used, allowing...
.
Development had proceeded during the 19th century to about 43rd Street. The arrival of electrified streetcars in 1892 accelerated development to the west and southwest.
Noted Philadelphia church architect Isaac Pursell
Isaac Pursell
Isaac Pursell was a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-based architect.He was born at Trenton, New Jersey in 1853 and attended public schools. He received architectural training in the Philadelphia offices of Samuel Sloan. He was a prolific designer of churches located in the eastern United States. Many...
(1853-1910) designed the contributing Christ Memorial Church (1887) at 4233-4257 Chestnut Street.
See also
- The Woodlands CemeteryThe Woodlands CemeteryThe Woodlands is a National Historic Landmark District on the western banks of the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It includes a magnificent federal style mansion, a matching carriage house and stable, and a garden landscape that in 1840 was transformed into a Victorian rural...
- Hamilton Village
- Woodland TerraceWoodland Terrace, Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaWoodland Terrace is a street name and a small neighborhood of Italianate twin mansions in the West Philadelphia section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania...
External links
- National Register
- Philadelphia Trolley Tracks: history and photos
- District Map