Philadelphia Neighborhoods: Northern Liberties

Boundaries

Northern Liberties is located north of Center City (specifically, Old City) and is bordered by Girard Avenue to the north; Callowhill Street to the south; North 6th Street to the west; and the Delaware River to the east (from Callowhill Street to Laurel Street; from Laurel Street to Girard Avenue the eastern boundary is North Front Street). The historical boundaries were slightly different, with Vine Street as the southern border and the Cohocksink Creek serving as the northern border. It now flows as a storm sewer under the following streets (starting at the Delaware River and running from southeast to northwest): Canal, Laurel, Bodine, Cambridge, & Orkney Streets).

History

Originally a portion of the Northern Liberties Township, the district first gained limited autonomy from the township by an Act of Assembly on March 9, 1771. The Act provided for the appointment of persons to regulate streets, direction of buildings, etc. By March 30, 1791 a second Act enabled the inhabitants of that portion of the Northern Liberties between Vine Street and Pegg’s Run (Cohoquinoque Creek) and the middle of Fourth Street and the Delaware River to elect three commissioners to lay taxes for the purpose of lighting, watching and establishing pumps within those bounds.

On March 28, 1803, the Legislature passed an act to incorporate that part of the township of the Northern Liberties lying between the west side of Sixth Street and the Delaware River and between Vine Street and Cohocksink Creek, thus creating the District of Northern Liberties. Under the Consolidation law the district ceased to exist in 1854, and become a part of Philadelphia.

At the time of its inclusion into the City of Philadelphia, Northern Liberties Township was the 11th largest urban place in the United States with a population of 47,223. This annexation allowed Philadelphia to pass Baltimore as the nation's second largest city.

It holds the status as a famous red-light district in the United States. Prior to annexation, the township was created as a less densely populated alternative to nearby Philadelphia. Because of this, it was later known colloquially as "Philadelphia's first suburb." However the Southwark neighborhood claims this distinction as well.

In 1985, the Northern Liberties Historic District was created, containing 209 Italianate architecture, Greek revival, and Federal style buildings. The historic district is bounded by Brown, Boone and Galloway, Green and Wallace, and Fifth and Sixth Sts.

Today

In recent years, Northern Liberties has become a center for local artists and musicians. Large improvement and revitalization projects have also been undertaken recently causing a large jump in property values. The neighborhood has been targeted for revitalization because it is very close to Center City yet contains many vacant lots and abandoned historic properties. Like many Philadelphia neighborhoods, the housing stock is primarily made up of rowhouses.

Northern Liberties contains two privately owned but public parks, both established and owned by non-profits run by the neighbors. One, Orianna Hill Park, is an off-leash dog run; the other, Liberty Lands, is a two-acre park and playground.

Northern Liberties is served by SEPTA's Market-Frankford El with stops at Spring Garden and Girard. The station at Spring Garden is unique for being in the median of I-95. The elevated line's tracks then break away from the expressway's right-of-way to tower over Front Street through the neighborhood as it heads north away from Center City.

Source of Article:

Wikipedia. (2008). Northern Liberties, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Retrieved May 29, 2008 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Liberties%2C_Philadelphia%2C_Pennsylvania

Northern Liberties Neighbors Association (NLNA)
NorthernLiberties.org