Old City, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

A view of Quince Street, a narrow cobblestone road, as seen from Locust Street. While not inside the bounds of Old City but within the Washington Square West neighborhood to the southwest, this view is representative of many of the small side streets in the area.

A luncheon in Girard Fountain Park after the Oct. 5, 2007, dedication of Keys To Community, a nine-foot bronze bust of Benjamin Franklin by sculptor James Peniston.

Old City is a neighborhood in Center City, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, in the area near the Delaware River where William Penn and the Quakers first settled. To tourists, it is best known as the site of Independence Hall and its encompassing Independence National Historical Park, Elfreth's Alley, the Betsy Ross House, and many of Philadelphia's other historic sites.

The Old City District occupies several blocks between Front and Sixth Streets, bounded by Vine Street to the north and Walnut Street to the south.^[1] The Philadelphia Almanac and Citizens' Manual gives a larger set of boundaries to the Old City area, defined as the area within Spring Garden Street, 4th Street, the Delaware River, and Walnut Street. The Old City Redevelopment Area is bound by Vine Street, the Delaware River, Lombard Street and 7th Street.^[2]

The Old City Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.

Old City Historic District
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. Historic district
Location:	Old city area including parts of Washington Square East Development Area and Franklin Square East Development Area, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Coordinates:	39°57′9.2″N 75°8′33.7″W / 39.952556°N 75.142694°W / 39.952556; -75.142694Coordinates: 39°57′9.2″N 75°8′33.7″W / 39.952556°N 75.142694°W / 39.952556; -75.142694
Area:	75 acres (30 ha)
Architect:	Multiple
Architectural style:	Greek Revival, Italianate
Governing body:	National Park Service
NRHP Reference#:	72000093[3]
Added to NRHP:	May 5, 1972

It is one of the city's popular nightlife destinations, with many lounges, dive bars, and quality restaurants, mostly along the three blocks from 3rd and Market streets to Front and Chestnut streets. The 3rd Street Corridor, between Market Street and Vine Street, is home to many locally owned businesses such as galleries and boutiques. Landmark Theatres operates three Ritz movie theaters in the area, specializing in art films. During the popular monthly First Friday event, shops hold evening-hours open houses featuring art, design, and fashion.

Consulates

Old City is the Philadelphia location for many foreign consulates to the U.S. The Consulate-General of Panama in Philadelphia is located in Suite 1 at 124 Chestnut Street.^[4] The Consulate-General of Italy in Philadelphia is located in the 1026 Public Ledger Building at 150 South Independence Mall West.^[5] The Consulate of Mexico in Philadelphia is located in Suite 310 at 111 South Independence Mall East.^[6] The Consulate-General of the Dominican Republic in Philadelphia was located in Suite 216 in the Lafayette Building at 437 Chestnut Street;^[7] it closed on November 7, 2005.^[8]

Education

Old City children are assigned to schools in the School District of Philadelphia.

Residents are zoned to the General George A. McCall School for grades Kindergarten through 8.^[9] and Furness High School for high school^[10].

Public libraries

The Free Library of Philadelphia operates the Independence Branch at 18 South 7th Street.^[11]

See also

	Philadelphia portal
	Pennsylvania portal

• Independence National Historical Park
• Old City Special Services District of Philadelphia
• Girard Fountain Park

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Old City (Philadelphia)

• Old City District
• Old City Civic Association
• "A Glimpse into the History of the 401 Block of Arch Street, Philadelphia." Retrieved 22 October 2007.
• Philadelphia/Old City travel guide from Wikitravel

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