Devil's Pocket, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Encyclopedia
Devil's Pocket is a neighborhood in the South Philadelphia
section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
. It is south of Lombard Street, east of 27th Street and north of Washington Avenue, on the western edge of Southwest Center City
.
Devil's Pocket is a very small neighborhood of rowhouses tucked near an industrial landscape along the banks of the river. It has historically been heavily Irish-American. The term "Devil's Pocket", not commonly used today, is said to have originated with a priest saying the neighborhood kids were so bad they would steal a chain out of the devil's pocket.
The area north of Bainbridge and west of Gray's Ferry Ave is separated from the remainder of this area by the former Navy Hospital, now Naval Square, a condominium complex developed by Toll Brothers
. Like the surrounding neighborhoods, this area has seen dramatic investment and rehabilitation, resulting in increased gentrification
, and a further dilution of the Irish-American populace. Despite the increase in gentrification, however, there remains a large Irish population.
North of this location, the Philadelphia School, a private school serving Pre-K through 8th grade, has petitioned to expand on an adjacent site.
South Philadelphia
South Philadelphia, nicknamed South Philly, is the section of Philadelphia bounded by South Street to the north, the Delaware River to the east and south, and the Schuylkill River to the west.-History:...
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,...
. It is south of Lombard Street, east of 27th Street and north of Washington Avenue, on the western edge of Southwest Center City
Southwest Center City, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Southwest Center City is a neighborhood in South Philadelphia bordering Center City, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The neighborhood is bordered on the north by South Street, on the south by Washington Avenue, on the west by the Schuylkill River, and by Broad Street on the east...
.
Devil's Pocket is a very small neighborhood of rowhouses tucked near an industrial landscape along the banks of the river. It has historically been heavily Irish-American. The term "Devil's Pocket", not commonly used today, is said to have originated with a priest saying the neighborhood kids were so bad they would steal a chain out of the devil's pocket.
The area north of Bainbridge and west of Gray's Ferry Ave is separated from the remainder of this area by the former Navy Hospital, now Naval Square, a condominium complex developed by Toll Brothers
Toll Brothers
Toll Brothers is a Horsham, Pennsylvania based luxury homes builder.-Company Overview:Toll Brothers is a residential and commercial real estate development company with communities in 50 markets throughout 19 states...
. Like the surrounding neighborhoods, this area has seen dramatic investment and rehabilitation, resulting in increased gentrification
Gentrification
Gentrification and urban gentrification refer to the changes that result when wealthier people acquire or rent property in low income and working class communities. Urban gentrification is associated with movement. Consequent to gentrification, the average income increases and average family size...
, and a further dilution of the Irish-American populace. Despite the increase in gentrification, however, there remains a large Irish population.
North of this location, the Philadelphia School, a private school serving Pre-K through 8th grade, has petitioned to expand on an adjacent site.