Northern Liberties

Northern Liberties is located north of Center City (specifically, Old City) and is bordered by Girard Avenue to the north; Callowhill Street to the south; North 6th Street to the west; and the Delaware River to the east (from Callowhill Street to Laurel Street; from Laurel Street to Girard Avenue the eastern boundary is North Front Street). The historical boundaries were slightly different, with Vine Street as the southern border and the Cohocksink Creek serving as the northern border. The creek now flows as a storm sewer under the following streets (starting at the Delaware River and running from southeast to northwest): Canal, Laurel, Bodine, Cambridge, and Orkney Streets.

In 18th century

Originally a portion of the Northern Liberties Township, the district first gained limited autonomy from the township by an Act of Assembly on March 9, 1771. The Act provided for the appointment of persons to regulate streets, direction of buildings, etc. By March 30, 1791 a second Act enabled the inhabitants of that portion of the Northern Liberties between Vine Street and Pegg’s Run (Cohoquinoque Creek) and the middle of Fourth Street and the Delaware River to elect three commissioners to lay taxes for the purpose of lighting, watching and establishing pumps within those bounds.

In 19th Century

On March 28, 1803, the Legislature passed an act to incorporate that part of the township of the Northern Liberties lying between the west side of Sixth Street and the Delaware River and between Vine Street and Cohocksink Creek, thus creating the District of Northern Liberties. Under the Consolidation law the district ceased to exist in 1854, and become a part of Philadelphia.

Early in its history, the location just outside Philadelphia allowed the area to thrive in manufacturing, as mills, breweries, leather tanneries, paints and chemical works, tool making factories, and iron and stove foundries once lined the neighborhood. It also holds the status as a famous red-light district in the United States.

In 20th Century

In 1985, the Northern Liberties Historic District was created, dedicated to preserving the Italianate architecture, Greek revival, and Federal style buildings which characterizes the area. The historic district is bounded by Brown, Boone and Galloway, Green and Wallace, and Fifth and Sixth Streets. The district encompasses 209 contributing buildings. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.

Economy

The area is home to numerous boutique stores and small bars and restaurants. A Super fresh supermarket opened in August, 2011 on 2nd Street between Girard and German town Avenues, near a large mixed use development called The Piazza at Schmidt’s. Yards Brewing Company is located in Northern Liberties.

Education

Schools

• Northern Liberties residents are assigned to schools in the School District of Philadelphia.
• Residents south of Poplar Street are zoned to the General Philip Kearny School for grades Kindergarten through 8 and Benjamin Franklin High School for high school.
• Residents north of Poplar Street are zoned to James R. Ludlow School for grades Kindergarten through 8 and Kensington High School for grades 9 through 12.
• Other schools in Northern Liberties consist of:
• Laboratory Charter School - Walter D. Palmer Leadership Academy - Bodine High School of International Affairs

Public libraries

• Residents are served by the Ramonita de Rodriguez Branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia, which is located at 600 West Girard Avenue. The branch was known as the Girard Avenue Branch prior to the 1977 rename.

Courtesy of Wikipedia