Overbrook Farms, Philadelphia
Overbrook Farms | |
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| Location | Roughly bounded by City Line Ave., 58th St., Woodbine Ave. and 64th St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
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| Coordinates | 39°59′11″N 75°15′13″W / 39.98639°N 75.25361°W |
| Area | 168 acres (68 ha) |
| Built | 1893 |
| Architect | Keen & Mead et al. |
| Architectural style | Late 19th and 20th Century Revivals [2], Late Victorian |
| NRHP reference No. | 85000690[1] |
| Added to NRHP | March 21, 1985 |
Overbrook Farms is a
The neighborhood is bisected by Lancaster Avenue (U.S. Route 30) and the original Pennsylvania Railroad "main line". Today, the rail line is used by both Amtrak passenger service and SEPTA's commuter Paoli/Thorndale Line.
History
This region of Philadelphia and its suburbs were originally settled by
Overbrook Farms was the first of several planned communities at were established along the Main Line of the Pennsylvania Railroad. The Overbrook Farms Company was the developer; its officers had links to directors of the Girard and Drexel banks and the Penn Railroad. This planned community includes some of the first residential projects by the first graduating class of the University of Pennsylvania's architectural program.[2]
Overbrook Farms maintains the oldest continually operating neighborhood association in the United States, the Overbrook Farms Club (OFC). OFC sponsors an annual house tour each Spring. The neighborhood was designated as a National Historic District and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Its description and statement of significance can be found at "Overbrook Farms", Historic Districts. Overbrook Farms, Its Historical Background, Growth and Community Life (1936) by Tello J. d'Apery, M.D. also provides a complete history of the area.
A more recent development of smaller homes with modern incursions, called Greenhill Farms, is not included within the historic district. This development extends from 66th Street to 72nd Street. Bordered on three sides by Morris Park and on the west by City Avenue, it includes some original mansions built on
Public libraries
The Free Library of Philadelphia operates the Wynnefield Branch nearby.[3]
References
- ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. January 23, 2007.
- ^ Wiiloughby, Edith L.; et al. (1984). "Overbrook Farms" (PDF). National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form. Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. Retrieved December 24, 2013.
- ^ [1], Free Library of Philadelphia
External links
- Overbrook Farms history Overbrook Farms its historical background, growth and community life. This entire book is available free for download from Penn State's Digital Bookshelf.
- National Register - Inventory
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