- Old City, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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This article is about Philadelphia's historical core. For other uses, see Old City (disambiguation).
A view of Quince Street, a narrow cobblestone road, as seen from Locust Street. While not inside the bounds of Old City but within the Washington Square West neighborhood to the southwest, this view is representative of many of the small side streets in the area.
A luncheon in Girard Fountain Park after the Oct. 5, 2007, dedication of Keys To Community, a nine-foot bronze bust of Benjamin Franklin by sculptor James Peniston.Old City (sometimes spelled "Olde City") is a neighborhood in Center City, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, in the area near e Delaware River where William Penn and the Quakers first settled. To tourists, it is best known as the site of Independence Hall and its encompassing Independence National Historical Park, Elfreth's Alley, the Betsy Ross House, and many of Philadelphia's other historic sites.
The Old City District occupies several blocks between Front and Sixth Streets, bounded by Vine Street to the north and Walnut Street to the south.[1] The Philadelphia Almanac and Citizens' Manual gives a larger set of boundaries to the Old City area, defined as the area within Spring Garden Street, 4th Street, the Delaware River, and Walnut Street. The Old City Redevelopment Area is bound by Vine Street, the Delaware River, Lombard Street and 7th Street.[2]
The Old City Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.
Old City Historic District
Location: Old city area including parts of Washington Square East Development Area and Franklin Square East Development Area, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Coordinates: 39°57′9.2″N 75°8′33.7″W / 39.952556°N 75.142694°WCoordinates: 39°57′9.2″N 75°8′33.7″W / 39.952556°N 75.142694°W Area: 75 acres (30 ha) Architect: Multiple Architectural style: Greek Revival, Italianate Governing body: National Park Service NRHP Reference#: 72000093[3] Added to NRHP: May 5, 1972 It is one of the city's popular nightlife destinations, with many lounges, dive bars, and quality restaurants mostly along the three blocks from 3rd and Market streets to Front and Chestnut streets. The popular monthly First Friday event features open houses by many neighborhood art/design galleries and clothing boutiques. The 3rd Street Corridor, between Market Street and Vine Street, is home to many locally owned independent businesses. These art, design and fashion ventures make Old City a sought after destination for culture and commerce enjoyed locally, nationally and internationally. Landmark Theatres operates three Ritz movie theaters in the area, specializing in art films.
Contents
Consulates
Old City is the Philadelphia location for many foreign consulates to the U.S. The Consulate-General of Panama in Philadelphia is located in Suite 1 at 124 Chestnut Street.[4] The Consulate-General of Italy in Philadelphia is located in the 1026 Public Ledger Building at 150 South Independence Mall West.[5] The Consulate of Mexico in Philadelphia is located in Suite 310 at 111 South Independence Mall East.[6] The Consulate-General of the Dominican Republic in Philadelphia was located in Suite 216 in the Lafayette Building at 437 Chestnut Street;[7] it closed on November 7, 2005.[8]
Education
Old City children are assigned to schools in the School District of Philadelphia.
Residents are zoned to the General George A. McCall School for grades Kindergarten through 8.[9] and Furness High School for high school[10].
Public libraries
The Free Library of Philadelphia operates the Independence Branch at 18 South 7th Street.[11]
See also
- Independence National Historical Park
- Old City Special Services District of Philadelphia
- Girard Fountain Park
References
- ^ Old City District. Old City District (Map). http://www.oldcitydistrict.org/pdf/ocdmap.pdf. Retrieved 2008-04-16.
- ^ "Philadelphia Neighborhoods and Place Names, L-P." City of Philadelphia. Accessed November 9, 2008.
- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. 2009-03-13. http://nrhp.focus.nps.gov/natreg/docs/All_Data.html.
- ^ "Panamanian Consulates in the U.S." Embassy of Panama in Washington D.C. Retrieved on February 2, 2009.
- ^ "Welcome to the web site of the Consulate General of Italy in Philadelphia." Consulate-General of Italy in Philadelphia. Retrieved on February 1, 2009.
- ^ "Contactenos." Consulate of Mexico in Philadelphia. Retrieved on February 1, 2009.
- ^ "Consulate Offices in the U.S." Embassy of the Dominican Republic in Washington, DC. Retrieved on February 1, 2009.
- ^ "DR to close four consulates in the USA." Dominican Today. November 8, 2005. Retrieved on February 1, 2009.
- ^ McCall map, Center City Schools, [http://www.phila.gov/phils/Docs/otherinfo/pname2.htm More info
- ^ Where the Graduates Go." McCall School. Retrieved on November 9, 2008.
- ^ "Independence Branch." Free Library of Philadelphia. Retrieved on January 20, 2009.
External links
- Old City District
- Old City Civic Association
- "A Glimpse into the History of the 401 Block of Arch Street, Philadelphia." Retrieved 22 October 2007.
- Old City travel guide from Wikitravel
Neighborhoods of the Center City section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 
Categories:- Historic districts in Pennsylvania
- Neighborhoods in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- National Register of Historic Places in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Houses on the National Register of Historic Places in Pennsylvania
- Italianate architecture in Pennsylvania
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