South Philadelphia Identity

Lore & Background

South Philadelphia began as a satellite town of Philadelphia, with small townships such as Moyamensing and Southwark. Towards the end of the First Industrial Revolution, the area saw rapid growth in population and urban development due to an influx of working class laborers and immigrants, including Irish refugees from the Great Irish Hunger. The area became part of Philadelphia proper with the Act of Consolidation in 1854. It continued to grow, attracting immigrants from Italy, Ireland, Poland, and other Southern and Eastern European countries, as well as Black American migrants during the Great Migration.

The immigrants and migrants became the basis of South Philadelphia's unique and vibrant culture. The Irish built a system of Irish Catholic churches and parochial schools. Later Italian and Polish immigrants were also Catholic. Many Polish Jews and other Jews from Central and Eastern Europe settled in South Philadelphia during the first half of the 20th century, especially in Queen Village.

A smaller Greek immigrant community established Greek Orthodox parishes, while Lebanese immigrants established Lebanese Maronite parishes. Coptic Orthodox Christian churches were established in the 1960s. With the loss of industrial jobs during mid-20th century restructuring, there were population losses and some Catholic schools closed. Today, many communities are largely Italian American, with Italian saint festivals and cultural celebrations.

South Philadelphia also continues to be home to many ethnic Irish American and African American communities. An increase in late 20th-century and early 21st-century immigration has given South Philadelphia significant populations from Asia, particularly Southeast Asia, as well as from Russia, Mexico, and Central American nations. The recent revitalization of Center City Philadelphia and gentrification has led to rising housing prices in neighborhoods like Queen Village and Bella Vista.

Many Mummers Parade clubs have traditionally been from South Philadelphia, especially those on S. 2nd Street in Pennsport.

Reader's Guide

Portions of South Philadelphia are within Philadelphia City Council Districts 1 and 2. The Philadelphia Fire Department operates nine fire stations serving South Philadelphia. Most of South Philadelphia resides in Fire Battalion 1, headquartered at 711 S. Broad Street. The Philadelphia Police Department patrols three districts within South Philadelphia: the 1st, 3rd, and 17th districts. According to the United States Census Bureau, South Philadelphia has an area of 9.7 sq. miles, all land. Neighborhoods include Bella Vista, Cambodia Town, Central South Philadelphia, Devil's Pocket, Dickinson Square West, East Passyunk Crossing, Franklin Delano Roosevelt Park, Girard Estate, Greenwich, Grays Ferry, Hawthorne, Italian Market, Little Saigon, Lower Moyamensing, Marconi Plaza, Moyamensing, Newbold, Packer Park, Passyunk Square, Pennsport, Point Breeze, and Queen Village.

Did You Know?

• South Philadelphia's urbanized border eventually expanded to reach that of Center City Philadelphia.
• The first public high school in South Philadelphia was not formed until 1934 due to low funding of education by the city.
• Many vendors at the Italian Market today are of Asian, Mexican, or Central American descent.