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Homes in Cedar Park

University City is a district in the West Philadelphia section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, whose name reflects the proximity of several institutions of higher learning, in particular, the University of Pennsylvania. The eastern core of the neighborhood is also home to several prominent medical institutions, independent centers of scientific research, 30th Street Station, and the Cira Centre. The western side, with its numerous historic Victorian houses, is home to a diverse population of students, professors, and professionals.

University City's current boundaries, as defined by the nonprofit University City District organization, ^[1][2] are: 29th Street and the Schuylkill River to the east; Spring Garden, Powelton Avenue, and Market Street to the north; Civic Center Boulevard, University Avenue and part of Woodland Avenue to the south; and 50th Street to the west. These boundaries include the sub-neighborhoods of Cedar Park, Garden Court, Spruce Hill, Squirrel Hill, Powelton Village, Walnut Hill, and Woodland Terrace, as well as much of the West Philadelphia Streetcar Suburb Historic District^[3] and the zip codes 19104, 19139, and 19143.

A Lenapehoking sticker. While the name Lenapehoking is not widely accepted as referring to this particular area, the sticker illustrates the fact that this neighborhood has had many names and locals think of it in different ways.

Blockley is one of the earliest names applied to this region. In 1677, William Warner, purchased 1500 acres from the local Indian tribe and named the area. ^[4] Blockley Township did not have a great reputation in 19th century. "It was an ideal hideout for shadowy characters and evil-doers who crossed the river in skiffs after a thieving or smuggling job south of the city. As late as 1850 it was considered hazardous to be abroad alone in this area." ^[5] The Blockley Almshouse, later known as Philadelphia General Hospital, was located here. Philadelphia proper was actually founded 5 years after Blockley, but its influence was quickly felt. People soon started calling the Township of Blockley by the made up name West Philadelphia.^[6] Later, parts of Blockley were carved out to form the District of West Philadelphia.

In 1735, Andrew Hamilton, a "Philadelphia Lawyer", purchased 300 acres of land within Blockley Township. This area came to be known as Hamilton Village ^[7] and The Woodlands, a sprawling botanical garden and mansion were built here. The gardens is now the Woodlands Cemetery. Much of the rest of Hamilton Village is now covered by the 40th St. retail corridor.

A small section on the northern side of this area was once known as Greenville.^[8] Situated near Lancaster Ave, Powelton Ave, and Market St., Greenville served as a way point for travelers and cattle drivers. Many taverns and inns accommodated the generally rowdy travelers. Later, the area expanded in all directions with many German immigrants and offered much more than simple taverns. By the mid 20th century, the area had changed again to a neighborhood that was colloquially referred to as the Black Bottom, a nickname that referenced the neighborhood's racial and economic status. Much of this neighborhood was destroyed as part of a gentrification plan in the 1960s. ^[9]

The late 19th and early 20th centuries were a time of enormous growth in the area. Bridges and streetcars were installed and people were able to easily commute from West Philadelphia into Center City. This lead to rapid development in the area, both within the borders of University City and far beyond. It was around this time that the "local" neighborhood names like Spruce Hill and Cedar Park^[10] were established.

In the mid 20th century, the name University City was coined in an attempt to attract people back to the large Victorian houses in the vicinity of Penn. The boundaries were thought to extend from the "Schuylkill River to 52nd Street, and from Haverford Avenue to the Media-line railroad tracks south of Kingsessing Avenue -- though over the years many have viewed it as a smaller domain". This has lead to some ongoing community tension as some people saw it as an attempt to secede from West Philadelphia. ^[11]

University City has a history of strained town-gown relations, particularly with Penn.

Because of this history of urban renewal and gentrification, known colliqially as "Penntrification", many associate the University City name with these acts, and seek to revive original neighborhood names or simply call the area West Philadelphia.^[12] The universities and their populations continue to label University City as such, and the University City district name appears on virtually all city maps as well as street signs.^{[citation needed]}

Because of the above controversies, boundary discrepancies and constantly changing socioeconomic landscape, the statistics below are subjective and may be considered inaccurate.

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 46,490 people and 17,004 households residing in the district. 40,714 were students, with 16,348 affiliated with Drexel, 19,983 affiliated with University of Pennsylvania, 2,518 affiliated with USP, 600 affiliated with Lincoln University Urban Center, and 555 affiliated with Walnut Hill College. There were 59,187 working in the district. Of these workers, 76.7% worked in services; 14.9% in transportation, utilities, and communication; 3.2% in retail; 2.4% in finance, insurance and real estate; and 1.7% in manufacturing.

The racial makeup was 42% White, 39% African American, 14% Asian, and 5% from other races. The median income for a household in the neighborhood was $29,116. Of district residents, 21.5% had earned a college degree, while 21.3% had earned a graduate degree. Homeowners made up 17.7% of district residents.

The average home sale price in 2002 was $147,179. In 2005 it was $350,000 and $750,000 ^[13] in the area immediately surrounding the University of Pennsylvania.

Ordered by size of student population, descending:

• University of Pennsylvania
• Drexel University
• University of the Sciences in Philadelphia
• The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College
• Lincoln University Urban Center

• Children's Hospital of Philadelphia ("CHoP") - The top ranked childrens hospital in the country.
• Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania ("HUP") - #12 ranked general hospital in the country.
• Penn Presbyterian Medical Center ("Presby")
• VA Medical Center, Philadelphia ("The VA")

• Wistar Institute
• Monell Chemical Senses Center

• Public (School District of Philadelphia)
  • Middle Years Alternative & Parkway School (6-12): 49th and Chestnut St.
  • University City High School (9-12): 36th and Filbert St.
  • West Philadelphia High School (9-12): 48th and Walnut St.
• Private
  • HMS School for Children with Cerebral Palsy (ages 2-21): 4400 Baltimore Ave.
  • West Philadelphia Catholic High School (9-12): 45th and Chestnut St.

• Public (School District of Philadelphia)^[14]
  • Alexander Wilson School (K-5): 46th and Woodland Ave.
  • Charles R. Drew School (PreK-8): 38th and Powelton Ave.
  • Henry C. Lea School (K-8): 47th and Locust St.
  • Middle Years Alternative & Parkway School (6-12): 49th and Chestnut St.
  • Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander University of Pennsylvania Partnership School (K-8): 42nd and Locust St.
  • Samuel Powel School (K-4): 36th and Powelton Ave.
• Private
  • Christ Memorial Day School (K-6): 43rd and Chestnut St.
  • HMS School for Children with Cerebral Palsy (ages 2-21): 4400 Baltimore Ave.
  • Jubilee School (pre-K-6):42nd and Chester Ave.
  • Spruce Hill Christian School (K-8): 42nd and Baltimore Av.
• Parochial
  • St. Francis de Sales School (1-8): 912 S. 47th St.

UCD bike patrol

• City Council: Hon. Jannie L. Blackwell, 3rd District
• PA Senate: Hon. Anthony H. Williams, 8th District
• PA House: Hon. James R. Roebuck, Jr., 188th District

Philadelphia Portal

• Saint Mary's Church, Hamilton Village
• Neighborhood Bike Works
• West Philadelphia Streetcar Suburb Historic District

• University City Historical Society
• InfoResources West Philadelphia Neighborhood - University City
• An Article about the District's Recent Transformation (PW - Sept. 2006)
• Photo tour of University City
• University City, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is at coordinates 39°57′06″N 75°11′44″W / 39.951533, -75.195417Coordinates: 39°57′06″N 75°11′44″W / 39.951533, -75.195417

1. ^ Boundary map of University City, according to the University City District.
2. ^ UCD's description of the neighborhood's boundaries.
3. ^ UCHS account of the development of the West Philadelphia Streetcar Suburb
4. ^ Early history of The Area
5. ^ Notes about Blockley Township from the UCHS
6. ^ Development of "West Philadelphia" which in the 18th century generally referred to what is now called University City.
7. ^ History of Hamilton Village
8. ^ Account of Greenville
9. ^ Account of the West Philadelphia Corporation's origins
10. ^ Cedar Park history
11. ^ Account of the origins of University City - The Penn Gazette
12. ^ http://www.ainfos.ca/04/dec/ainfos00345.html Richard Rodgers' Article in the defenestrator, #30? 2004, http://media.www.dailypennsylvanian.com/media/storage/paper882/news/2001/02/07/News/mcpenntrification.Will.Ruin.U.City.Locals.Say-2182759.shtml Daily Pennsylvanian, 2001
13. ^ http://cml.upenn.edu/nbase/
14. ^ Source: University City District

v • d • e Neighborhoods of the West Philadelphia section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Belmont • Carroll Park • Cathedral Park • Cedar Park • Cobbs Creek • Dunlap • Garden Court • Haddington • Haverford North • Mantua • Mill Creek • Overbrook • Overbrook Park • Overbrook Farms • Parkside • Powelton Village • Saunders Park • Spruce Hill • Squirrel Hill • University City • Walnut Hill • Woodland Terrace • Wynnefield • Wynnefield Heights
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