Point Breeze, Philadelphia
Point Breeze | |
---|---|
Coordinates: 39°56′05″N 75°10′53″W / 39.93482°N 75.18146°W | |
Country | United States |
State | Pennsylvania |
County | Philadelphia |
City | Philadelphia |
ZIP Code | 19145, 19146 |
Area code(s) | 215, 267 and 445 |
Point Breeze is a multicultural
History
According to historical maps, much of what is South Philadelphia, including Point Breeze, was still not yet developed and integrated into the rectilinear grid system by 1843 or later.[1][original research?] "Point Breeze" was a point on the western side of the Schuylkill River, approximately where the Passyunk Avenue bridge is today.
In the 1860s it and the area across on the eastern side of the river were developed as an area for oil refinery by the
In the mid-to-late 1800s, development of Philadelphia continued westward from the Delaware River and southward from Market Street. Long Lane also began to be known as Point Breeze Avenue by 1895
Through the 1960s Point Breeze was reported to be a safe, clean, relatively integrated, and self-sufficient neighborhood, with a thriving business district along Point Breeze Avenue. Residents called it "The Breeze." Rising racial tensions, fear of race riots and white flight in the 1960s and 1970s resulted in many businesses moving away, and the neighborhood becoming majority African American. Also at this time, people who could afford it often moved to newer suburban housing, aided by greater ease in commuting by public transit and highways.
The
The Point Breeze Performing Arts Center opened in 1984 on Point Breeze Avenue.[8] From 1990 through 2000 Point Breeze lost approximately 10% of its population.[9] Despite this, since the 1990s some revitalization efforts have taken place; such organizations as South Philadelphia H.O.M.E.S. and Universal Companies, owned by Kenny Gamble, have helped build low-income housing and schools in the area.
Immigrants from Southeast Asia have moved into Point Breeze in the 1990s and 2000s. For example, in the 2000 census Point Breeze contained the highest concentration of Vietnamese in the city; the more than 900 Vietnamese people comprised nearly 12% of the population of Point Breeze.[10]
In the 2000s and beyond, Point Breeze has had some revitalization through gentrification. Real estate investors such as John Longacre and Ori Feibush have begun developing property here, especially along the Broad Street and Washington Avenue corridors.[11][12] While many residents resent the changing neighborhoods and feel displaced in areas they once called home, others believe such change signals a booming resurgence in the area, which has both trendy bars and lower crime. In 2016 the YouTube channel "New Neighbors" interviewed longtime Point Breeze residents about the gentrification efforts. One man said existing residents were harassed by increased police scrutiny; a woman said that her brother was killed here long ago. She noted the lack of shopping for regular goods.
She said,
"We have everything in Point Breeze that's no good for any human consumption, it [Point Breeze] does not nurture any entrepreneur spirit or anything else - other then people that are foreigners, that come in and get money to open up businesses in the community. Who do not necessarily give back when you ask...but I think it's a great thing in terms of the changes in the community, I welcome it with open arms."[13]
In July 2019 the She described the hardship of being displaced from her neighborhood of 16 years, and after leaving, seeing the renovation of a long unused and unfunded neighborhood tennis court.
As a response to recent gentrification in the area, a community land trust sponsored by WCRP was created to cover at least five homes in the area with 99-year transferable leases.[15] Overall public reaction to gentrification remains mixed. While some residents are not bothered and outreach organizations are helping those in need, some residents have vandalized new properties, spraying anarchy symbols and other messages such as "(expletive) the rich.[16]
A number of historic buildings in the area, including the
Name origin
'Point Breeze' was originally the name given to a spot on the west side of the Schuylkill River. Point Breeze Avenue then became the road that cut southwest to provide access to the spot from what was at the time Philadelphia proper. The avenue cuts diagonally through the neighborhood's rectilinear street grid.
Culture
Point Breeze is home to several Philadelphia
Education
Residents are zoned to the
Infrastructure and government
The United States Postal Service operates the Point Breeze Post Office at 2500 Snyder Avenue.[25]
Engine 24 The Federal Express protecting the Breeze since 1872.
The Philadelphia Police Department's 17th District station is at the northern terminus of Point Breeze Avenue where it intersects 20th and Federal.[26]
The Free Library of Philadelphia operates two branches in Point Breeze: the South Philadelphia Branch at Broad and Morris and the Queen Memorial Library at 23rd and Federal (located in the Landreth Apartments for seniors).[27] On May 9, 2016 the $45.2 million, 96,000-square foot, LEED-certified South Philadelphia Community Health and Literacy Center officially opened at Broad and Morris Streets in Point Breeze. It houses the new South Philadelphia library branch, a CHOP pediatric primary care center, a Philadelphia Department of Public Health community health center, and a new DiSilvestro Playground and Recreation Center.[28][29][2]
Point Breeze has several indoor and outdoor recreational areas:[30]
- Chew Playground and Recreation Facility, 19th and Washington
- Wharton Square and Recreation Facility, 23rd and Wharton
- Smith Playground and Recreation Facility/Wilson Park, 24th and Snyder
Transportation
Point Breeze is served by the SEPTA Broad Street Line, accessible at Snyder, Tasker-Morris, and Ellsworth-Federal stations, and several SEPTA bus routes run through the neighborhood.
Notable people
- Tariq Trotter, a.k.a. Black Thought, rapper with Grammy award winning hip-hop group The Roots, from 23rd and Watkins
- Rasual Butler, NBA basketball player, from 20th and Manton
- Dwight Grant a.k.a. Beanie Sigel, rapper, from 24th and Sigel
- H. Patrick Swygert, former president of Howard University, from 15th and Wharton
- The Heath Brothers, jazz trio
- Gene Perret, TV writer, of Sigel St.
- Richie Rome, producer, arranger and conductor, from 20th and
- Anthony Burrell, dancer who taught and choreographed at Point Breeze Performing Arts Center, from 22nd and Dickinson
- Anna C. Verna, former president of Philadelphia City Council, from 22nd and Dickinson
- John Blake, was an American jazz violinist, from 22nd and Oakford
- Mamie Nichols, local community activist[9]
- Josh Kruger, Journalist and social justice advocate
See also
- Francis M. Drexel School, formerly located in Point Breeze
References
- ^ a b c Greater Philadelphia GeoHistory Network
- South Philly ReviewOctober 7, 2004
- ^ "Point Breeze", "The PhillyHistory Blog: Discoveries from the City Archives," August 5, 2010
- ^ "House Is Seized, Sealed As Site Of Open Drug Sales", The Philadelphia Inquirer, June 29, 1989
- ^ "This Drug Operation, Police Say, Was A Family Affair", The Philadelphia Inquirer, July 9, 1989
- ^ "Alleged Drug Family Raided", The Philadelphia Inquirer, March 9, 1990
- ^ "Neighborhood: Point Breeze" Archived 2014-07-25 at the Wayback Machine, "Center City District + Central Philadelphia Development Corporation"
- ^ South Philly Review
- ^ "Recent Trends in Immigration to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Who came and where do they live?" Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine, Pennsylvania University Arts & Sciences Fels Institute of Government, Christopher Patusky & Johnny Ceffalio, August 2004, p. 29
- ^ "American Sardine Bar's John Longacre: It's Not About Race and Class", Philadelphia Magazine, May 20, 2013
- ^ "Changing Skyline: Savvy marketing, social media skills are keys for Point Breeze development". The Philadelphia Inquirer. 23 February 2013.
- ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: "New Neighbors: Point Breeze". YouTube.
- ^ Ellison, Angelita (July 30, 2019). "Gentrification displaced my family from Point Breeze". Philadelphia Inquirer.
- ^ "Taking on gentrification with a Point Breeze community land trust".
- ^ "Graffiti in Point Breeze believed to be part of gentrification: Neighbors". 13 February 2020.
- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
- ^ "Keith Haring Mural Philadelphia Gets Makeover", "AP," October 30, 2013
- South Philly Review, November 7, 2013
- ^ "Philadelphia Neighborhoods and Place Names, L-P." City of Philadelphia. Retrieved on October 4, 2011. "East of Schuylkill River, north of Passyunk Avenue, south of Grays Ferry Avenue. "
- South Philly Review, June 23, 2011
- ^ "Plan Philly: Vacant School Buildings Affect Surrounding Communities", "Philadelphia Neighborhoods," December 6, 2012
- ^ "Point Breeze: Plans Uncertain for Future of Former G.W. Childs Community School Building", "Philadelphia Neighborhoods," December 12, 2013
- ^ "The School District of Philadelphia School Finder"
- ^ "Post Office Location - POINT BREEZE." United States Postal Service. Retrieved on December 4, 2008.
- ^ "Philadelphia Police Department Districts"
- ^ "The Free Library Of Philadelphia Branches"
- ^ "South Philly center combines health, literacy, recreation", Philly.com
- ^ "CHOP opens new health center, library, rec center all in one", The Metro
- ^ "City of Philadelphia Parks & Recreation"
External links
- South Philadelphia Review
- Philadelphia City Paper - City Paper article on violence in the area
- [1] - City Paper article on greening efforts in the area
- Philly Skyline photos of Point Breeze
- Historic Photographs of Point Breeze, PhillyHistory.org
- National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia, US Catholic reliquary for Rita of Cascia