Overbrook

Overbrook is a neighborhood northwest of West Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The area contains an assortment of housing from large, old homes to row homes to 3-4 story apartment buildings. The greater Overbrook area is a located in the northwestern portion of West Philadelphia in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In common usage, the name Overbrook refers both to a specific neighborhood and a larger area of West Philadelphia. The larger Overbrook area includes four Philadelphia City Planning Commission neighborhoods: Overbrook, Overbrook Farms, Morris Park and Overbrook Park. The close proximity of Overbrook High School, the Overbrook School for the Blind, the Overbrook SEPTA Station, and Overbrook Avenue unite the four smaller neighborhoods into the larger area of Overbrook. Depending on the definition of Overbrook Farms, The Overbrook School for the Blind either lies partially in Morris Park and partially in Overbrook Farms or entirely in Morris Park.

Overbrook Farms is both a larger neighborhood in the area and a distinctive neighborhood in its own right. According to the Philadelphia City Planning Commission, the northern boundary is City Avenue (US 1). The western boundary is North 66th Street between City Avenue and Woodcrest Avenue and Morris Park between Woodcrest Avenue and Malvern Avenue. The southern border is Malvern Avenue to Wynnewood Road, a small portion of Wynnewood Road, and Woodbine Avenue from Wynnewood Road to North 58th Street. The eastern boundary is North 58th Street between Woodbine Avenue and Overbrook Avenue, a small portion of Overbrook Avenue, and then Cardinal Avenue between Overbrook Avenue and City Avenue. Overbrook Farms borders Saint Joseph’s University on its northeast corner. Although the Philadelphia City Planning Commission considers Malvern Avenue to form part of the southern border, the Overbrook Farms Club states that “At present, there are 413 buildings in Overbrook Farms, which is bounded by 58th and 66th Streets and Woodbine and City Avenues, and bisected by Lancaster Avenue”. Overbrook Farms is home to the Overbrook SEPTA regional rail station; housing for Saint Joseph’s University students, such as the Lancaster Court Apartments; the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas, and Our Lady of Lourdes Roman Catholic Church.

There are very few detached single-family homes in the neighborhood. Single homes typically pre-date the construction of most of Overbrook’s housing or came into existence on select lots after the construction of most of the rowhouses and twin houses. For example, one will see a few single-family homes on Wynnewood Road near Columbia Avenue. A large stone home remains this intersection. This home once sat on acres of land that the owner(s) sold off to developers who then constructed twin houses and rowhouses. The vast majority of the single-family, detached homes in the area are in the Overbrook Farms neighborhood.

Landmarks

Overbrook, while overwhelmingly residential in character, does have several notable landmark buildings and institutions that help tell the story of the growth, character, and daily life of the community:

• Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School and Church - 63rd and Lancaster, historic grade school (K-8) where Will Smith and Al Ryan both attended
• Overbrook School - 6201-6231 Lebanon Ave., listed on the National Register of Historic Places
• Overbrook High School - 59th and Lancaster, listed on the National Register of Historic Places
• Morris Park - forms western border of Overbrook section, known for trails and beautiful Indian Creek
• Cobbs Creek Park - forms southern border of Overbrook section, undergoing restoration in many places
• Our Lady Of The Blessed Sacrament Catholic School Grade K-8
• Papa Playground - 68th and Lansdowne, extensive recreational offerings for youth
• Harambee Charter School - 66th and Harlan Streets, Afro-Centric curriculum, opened on site of old Overbrook Italian Club
• Haverford Furniture - Haverford Avenue at Atwood Road, Pacinelli family operated since 1940's
• Vincent's Pizza - 65th and Lansdowne, busy and popular Italian take-out restaurant in the community for decades
• Bocce Courts - Cobbs Creek Park at Vine Street, bocce still played daily by former and current (mostly) elderly residents
• Orlando's Bakery - Lebanon Avenue at Kenmore Road, over 70 years, a community institution making fine baked goods
• Overbrook School for the Blind - Malvern Avenue near 64th, landmark campus sporting Spanish Revival architecture
• 63rd Street Architecture - Not a true historic district, but elegant residential architecture in an array of conditions
• Lewis C. Cassidy School/Academics Plus School, 6523 Lansdowne Avenue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19151, listed on the National Register of Historic Places
• West Overbrook Woods - AKA - WOW - City line across from the driving range

Notably, despite the erosion of much of the Italian-American community in the neighborhood, two Italian social clubs remain in the community.

Courtesy of Wikipedia