East Falls

East Falls is a neighborhood in the Northwest section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. East Falls is located adjacent to Roxborough, Manayunk, and Germantown, and Fairmount Park. The neighborhood runs along a stretch of Ridge Avenue that is only a few miles long, along the banks of the Schuylkill River then extends northeast to Wissahickon Avenue. East Falls overlooks the multi-use recreational path of Fairmount Park along Kelly Drive, and is desirable for its central location, an easy commute to Center City, with easy access to several major roadways and public transportation. East Falls continues to develop, with new housing, retail space and recreation centers in production. It features three streets in proximity with the word "Queen" in them (Queen Lane, New Queen Street, and Indian Queen Lane), two train stations, a number of bars and restaurants, a small Korean grocer, illustrious mansions as well as some recently renovated housing that continues to increase in value.

Recently, East Falls has been undergoing redevelopment to elevate its status relative to nearby Manayunk and other local shopping districts in the Philadelphia area. Several new restaurants and coffee shops have been built, and are beginning to see financial success. Another substantial addition, The Arthur Ashe Youth Tennis and Education Center, was recently completed. It offers instruction to Philadelphia youth in its new 9.2-acre (37,000 m2), sixteen-court facility and operates in cooperation with the City of Philadelphia, School District of Philadelphia, and others. It was built with private funding in partnership with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

East Falls is best known as the childhood home of Grace Kelly, actress and Princess of Monaco, who grew up in a house at 3901 Henry Avenue. In addition, former U.S. Senator Arlen Specter, Jewish studies scholar Chaim Potok, Pennsylvania Governor and former Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell have homes in East Falls. Ravenhill Academy, a Catholic girls school run by the Mothers of the Assumption from the Philippines, was attended by Grace Kelly and the former President of the Philippines Corazon Aquino. It was closed in 1977 and now is part of the Philadelphia University campus. It is a common misconception that Frank Sinatra exchanged nuptials with his second wife, Ava Gardner, in another campus building, a house on the corner of School House Lane and Henry Avenue. Before the founding of Washington, D.C., East Falls was seriously considered as the site for the permanent federal capital.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, the racial makeup of East Falls is 72.06% White, 19.98% African American, 4.79% Asian, and 0.86% from other races. 2.58% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race. In 2005, the median home sale price in the 19129 zip code, which contains East Falls, was $184,000. This was an increase of 8% over the median sale price for 2004.

Economy

East Falls is home to a number of businesses. The largest center of commerce in East Falls is the Falls Center. It is home for over 18 businesses and dormitories for Philadelphia University.

Places of worship

• Baptist: Falls of Schuylkill Baptist Church
• Catholic: St. Bridget's Roman Catholic Church
• Episcopal: Memorial Church of the Good Shepherd
• Lutheran: Redeemer Lutheran Church
• Presbyterian: East Falls First Presbyterian Church

Courtesy of Wikipedia