Rhawnhurst, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Encyclopedia
Rhawnhurst is a residential neighborhood
in the Northeast
section of Philadelphia, named for George and William Rhawn by area real estate developers. Roughly bordered by Cottman Avenue to the south, Pennway Street to the west, the Pennypack Creek
to the north, and Roosevelt Boulevard
to the east, Rhawnhurst encompasses zip codes 19152 and part of zip code 19111. The geographic center of Rhawnhurst is at the intersection of Castor Avenue and Rhawn Street.
, the area between Pennypack Park
and Cottman Avenue west of the Roosevelt Boulevard had not been subdivided. The baby boom
after World War II caused a demand for housing that continued into the 1960s. The new housing stock was built in the open areas of Northeast Philadelphia
. Most homes in Rhawnhurst are twins, along with some ranchers and duplexes, largely built by local home builder A.P. Orleans.
), Bustleton Avenue (PA 532
), Castor Avenue, Rhawn Street, Large Street, and the Roosevelt Boulevard (U.S. 1
). The intersection of Cottman Avenue and the Roosevelt Boulevard is one of the most dangerous in the city; recently red light cameras
were installed there to reduce traffic violations. (In a ranking done by State Farm Insurance in 2001, 2 of the 10 most dangerous intersections in the U.S. were on the Roosevelt Boulevard.) Several SEPTA bus lines serve Rhawnhurst, with connections to the Market-Frankford Line
elevated train (the "El"), the Broad Street Subway
, and regional rail lines
.
operates four schools in Rhawnhurst. Farrell Elementary School opened during the build up of the Bell's Corner section of Rhawnhurst. Rhawnhurst Elementary School opened in 1955 during a period of growth in the neighborhood. Woodrow Wilson Middle School, which predates the neighborhood and though on the south side of Cottman Avenue, is the middle school serving Rhawnhurst. Northeast High School
, a replacement for the old Northeast High School building at 8th Street and Lehigh Avenue, opened in 1957. A parochial school, Resurrection of Our Lord Catholic School, opened in 1929 and is operated by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia
. The Stern Hebrew High School opened in 2000 offering the neighborhood a Torah
based education. Immanuel Lutheran School run by Immanuel Lutheran Church located near the intersection of Cottman and Verree streets.
, which opened in 1964 at Cottman Avenue and the Roosevelt Boulevard. Many smaller storefronts also line Castor Avenue, Bustleton Avenue, and Cottman Avenue.
, one of the largest urban parks in the U.S., and the northern border of the neighborhood. Bradford Park, a smaller park popular as a dog park
is located near the Roosevelt Mall. The Pelbano Recreation Center (colloquially called "Solly" because of its location on Solly Avenue), is a playground
operated by the City of Philadelphia. Other recreational destinations include the Northeast Regional Library.
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 the 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, named for George and William Rhawn by area real estate developers. Roughly bordered by Cottman Avenue to the south, Pennway Street to the west, the Pennypack Creek
Pennypack Creek
Pennypack Creek is a creek in southeastern Pennsylvania in the United States. It runs southeast through eastern Montgomery County, lower Bucks County, and the northeast section of Philadelphia, before emptying into the Delaware River.-Name:...
to the north, and Roosevelt Boulevard
Roosevelt Boulevard (Philadelphia)
Roosevelt Boulevard , often referred to simply as "the Boulevard," is a major traffic artery through North and Northeast Philadelphia...
to the east, Rhawnhurst encompasses zip codes 19152 and part of zip code 19111. The geographic center of Rhawnhurst is at the intersection of Castor Avenue and Rhawn Street.
History
By 1940, development in Philadelphia had almost reached Cottman Avenue, but large areas of the Northeast, including Rhawnhurst, were still farmland. Though much development had taken place in neighboring MayfairMayfair, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Mayfair is a neighborhood located in the Lower Northeast section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania centered on the intersection of Cottman and Frankford Avenues...
, the area between Pennypack Park
Pennypack Park
Pennypack Park is a municipal park, part of Philadelphia's Fairmount Park system, in Northeast Philadelphia in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. Established in 1905 by ordinance of the City of Philadelphia, it includes about of woodlands, meadows and wetlands. The Pennypack Creek runs through the...
and Cottman Avenue west of the Roosevelt Boulevard had not been subdivided. The baby boom
Post-World War II baby boom
The end of World War II brought a baby boom to many countries, especially Western ones. There is some disagreement as to the precise beginning and ending dates of the post-war baby boom, but it is most often agreed to begin in the years immediately after the war, ending more than a decade later;...
after World War II caused a demand for housing that continued into the 1960s. The new housing stock was built in the open areas of Northeast Philadelphia
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,...
. Most homes in Rhawnhurst are twins, along with some ranchers and duplexes, largely built by local home builder A.P. Orleans.
Transportation
The two major modes of transportation in Rhawnhurst are private car and public transportation. Major roads include Cottman Avenue (PA 73Pennsylvania Route 73
Pennsylvania Route 73 is a 62.51 miles long east–west state highway in southeastern Pennsylvania. It runs from Pennsylvania Route 61 in Leesport to the New Jersey state line on the Tacony-Palmyra Bridge in Philadelphia, where it continues as New Jersey Route 73.Predating the Interstate...
), Bustleton Avenue (PA 532
Pennsylvania Route 532
Pennsylvania Route 532 is a state route located in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area.-Philadelphia:PA 532 begins as Welsh Road, where it intersects with Roosevelt Boulevard in Northeast Philadelphia. After less than a mile, PA 532 leaves Welsh Road and follows Bustleton Avenue...
), Castor Avenue, Rhawn Street, Large Street, and the Roosevelt Boulevard (U.S. 1
U.S. Route 1 in Pennsylvania
U.S. Route 1 is a major north–south U.S. Highway, extending from the Florida Keys in the south to the Canadian border in the north. In the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, US 1 runs for from the Maryland state line near Oxford to the New Jersey state line near Trenton.-Maryland to Interstate...
). The intersection of Cottman Avenue and the Roosevelt Boulevard is one of the most dangerous in the city; recently red light cameras
Road-rule enforcement camera
A traffic enforcement camera is an automated ticketing machine...
were installed there to reduce traffic violations. (In a ranking done by State Farm Insurance in 2001, 2 of the 10 most dangerous intersections in the U.S. were on the Roosevelt Boulevard.) Several SEPTA bus lines serve Rhawnhurst, with connections to the Market-Frankford Line
Market-Frankford Line
The Market–Frankford Line is a rapid transit line in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, operated by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority .-Route:The Market–Frankford Line begins at 69th Street Transportation Center, in Upper Darby...
elevated train (the "El"), the Broad Street Subway
Broad Street Line
The Broad Street Line is a rapid transit line operated by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority that runs from Fern Rock Transportation Center in North Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Pattison Avenue in South Philadelphia...
, and regional rail lines
SEPTA Regional Rail
The SEPTA Regional Rail system consists of commuter rail service on thirteen branches to over 150 active stations in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States and its suburbs. Service on most lines runs from 5:30 AM to midnight...
.
Education
There are six primary and secondary schools in Rhawnhurst. 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...
operates four schools in Rhawnhurst. Farrell Elementary School opened during the build up of the Bell's Corner section of Rhawnhurst. Rhawnhurst Elementary School opened in 1955 during a period of growth in the neighborhood. Woodrow Wilson Middle School, which predates the neighborhood and though on the south side of Cottman Avenue, is the middle school serving Rhawnhurst. Northeast High School
Northeast High School (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
Northeast High School is a high school located at 1601 Cottman Avenue in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States....
, a replacement for the old Northeast High School building at 8th Street and Lehigh Avenue, opened in 1957. A parochial school, Resurrection of Our Lord Catholic School, opened in 1929 and is operated by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia is an ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in southeastern Pennsylvania, in the United States. It covers the City and County of Philadelphia as well as Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery counties. The diocese was...
. The Stern Hebrew High School opened in 2000 offering the neighborhood a Torah
Torah
Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five books of the bible—Genesis , Exodus , Leviticus , Numbers and Deuteronomy Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five...
based education. Immanuel Lutheran School run by Immanuel Lutheran Church located near the intersection of Cottman and Verree streets.
Houses of worship
Rhawnhurst is home to people of several faiths. The Church of the Resurrection of Our Lord is the only Roman Catholic church in Rhawnhurst. Major Protestant churches include Redemption Lutheran Church, the Rhawnhurst Baptist Church, All Saints Episcopal Church, the Rhawnhurst Presbyterian Church, and Philadelphia First Church of the Nazarene. There are several synagogues and Jewish congregations in Rhawnhurst including Ahavas Torah, Beth Medrash Harav, B'nai Israel – Ohev Zedek, The Lubavitcher Center, Ner Zedek Ezrath Israel, Ohr Somayach, and Congregation Mesilat Yesharim.Shopping
There is very little, if any, industry in Rhawnhurst. There is, however, much commercial development. Major shopping centers include the Bell's Corner Shopping Center, the Cottman Bustleton Center, and the Roosevelt MallRoosevelt Mall
Roosevelt Mall is a medium-sized outdoor shopping mall, located along PA 73 between Bustleton Avenue and the Roosevelt Boulevard in the Castor Gardens neighborhood of Northeast Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is anchored by a large, 3-level department store on its east end, that currently houses...
, which opened in 1964 at Cottman Avenue and the Roosevelt Boulevard. Many smaller storefronts also line Castor Avenue, Bustleton Avenue, and Cottman Avenue.
Recreation
The major recreation attraction in Rhawnhurst is Pennypack ParkPennypack Park
Pennypack Park is a municipal park, part of Philadelphia's Fairmount Park system, in Northeast Philadelphia in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. Established in 1905 by ordinance of the City of Philadelphia, it includes about of woodlands, meadows and wetlands. The Pennypack Creek runs through the...
, one of the largest urban parks in the U.S., and the northern border of the neighborhood. Bradford Park, a smaller park popular as a dog park
Dog park
A dog park is a facility set aside for dogs to exercise and play off-leash in a controlled environment under the supervision of their owners...
is located near the Roosevelt Mall. The Pelbano Recreation Center (colloquially called "Solly" because of its location on Solly Avenue), is a playground
Playground
A playground or play area is a place with a specific design for children be able to play there. It may be indoors but is typically outdoors...
operated by the City of Philadelphia. Other recreational destinations include the Northeast Regional Library.
Notable persons
- Rubén Amaro, Jr.Rubén Amaro, Jr.Rubén Amaro, Jr. is the general manager of the Philadelphia Phillies.He is also a former Major League Baseball outfielder who played from to . He is the son of former infielder Rubén Amaro, Sr....
, MLB baseball player and general manager - Duane SwierczynskiDuane SwierczynskiDuane Louis Swierczynski is an American crime writer who has written a number of non-fiction books, novels and also writes for comic books.-Early life:...
, crime writer
External links
- Historic Photographs of Rhawnhurst, PhillyHistory.org