Andorra, Philadelphia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Andorra
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| Country |  United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Philadelphia |
| City | Philadelphia |
| Area codes | 215, 267 and 445 |
Andorra is a neighborhood in Northwest Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is part of the larger Roxborough area. Andorra shares the same zip code (19128) as Roxborough.
This neighborhood sits on high ground, with great views of the Schuylkill River. It was named "Andorra" because it reminded people of the small country of Andorra in Europe. That country is nestled in the Pyrenees mountains between France and Spain.
Andorra is located right next to Montgomery County. Even though it's inside Philadelphia, Andorra feels more like a suburb. It has many features you'd expect in a suburban area. These include a shopping center, lots of single or double-family homes, and apartment buildings with plenty of parking. Andorra was mostly developed starting in the 1950s.
Contents
History of Andorra
Early Land Ownership
Andorra was once home to two large estates. These properties were bought by Henry H. Houston in the 1880s. Houston and Alexander Cassatt, who was the president of the Pennsylvania Railroad, wanted to build a train line. This line would have connected Chestnut Hill to the Main Line suburbs. However, this railroad plan never happened.
Plans for Development
In the early 1900s, Henry H. Houston's son, Sam Houston, tried to sell the estates. He hoped the land could be used for big projects. In 1921, he suggested it for the Sesquicentennial Exposition, a major event. But his idea was not chosen.
Houston also worked with the Roxborough government on a plan for a new road. This road would have gone east to west. It also included two bridges designed by Paul Philippe Cret. These bridges would have crossed both the Schuylkill River and Wissahickon Creek. The plan was approved in 1927, but the road and bridges were never built.
The Cathedral Project
In 1922, new plans for the east-west road (now Cathedral Drive) came up. The Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania bought about 100 acres from the Houston Estate. Their goal was to build the world's largest Episcopal cathedral. Bishop Philip M. Rhinelander led this huge project.
The cathedral was designed in a Gothic style. It was planned to be 1,000 feet long. It would have a 300-foot tall tower with bells from the famous Whitechapel Bell Foundry. Construction began in 1932. However, the Great Depression caused work to stop. The Episcopal Church also focused its efforts on the Washington National Cathedral. Only a small part of the cathedral, the apse and a side chapel, was ever built. Today, this part is home to St. Mary's Church.
Modern Andorra Takes Shape
In the 1940s, Houston tried again to sell more land. He offered it to the Veterans Administration, Temple University, and even as a possible site for the Headquarters of the United Nations. None of these plans worked out.
In 1948, the Houston Estate and Planning Commission hired architect Eero Saarinen. He designed a master plan for a new suburban area called "Cathedral Hills." Houston began developing this plan, which was later renamed "Andorra."
The development included plans for over 5,000 homes. These were to be single-family homes, duplexes, and apartments. Architect Robert Rodes McGoodwin designed them. However, only about 400 homes were actually built.
Houston created a special agreement for Andorra homeowners. This agreement, called an "Indenture of Covenants," set rules for the neighborhood. For example, it limited sign sizes to one square foot. It also banned "noxious, dangerous, or offensive behavior." Raising farm animals was also not allowed. After Houston passed away in 1952, the agreement was given to the community. It eventually became the Andorra Homes Civic Association.
Education in Andorra
The local Catholic elementary school for the neighborhood is Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM).
Culture and Community
Public Libraries
The Free Library of Philadelphia has a branch in Andorra. It is located at the Andorra Shopping Center. You can find it at 705 East Cathedral Road, near Henry Avenue.
Places of Worship
St. Mary's Episcopal Church is a notable building in Andorra. Part of its property is now a non-religious retirement home called Cathedral Village.
Across Ridge Avenue from St. Mary's are two other important churches. One is Andorra Baptist Church. This church is the main office for the Philadelphia Baptist Association. This association is one of 33 regions of the American Baptist Churches USA. The other church is the Armenian Apostolic Church of St. Gregory the Illuminator. This church serves the Armenian community in Andorra and the nearby areas.
Transportation
Ridge Avenue and Henry Avenue are the main roads in Andorra. Henry Avenue splits off from Ridge Avenue within the neighborhood.
Other important streets include Bells Mill Road. This two-lane road goes through Fairmount Park and crosses the Wissahickon Creek. It's the fastest way for cars (but not trucks or buses) to get to Chestnut Hill from Andorra and Roxborough. Port Royal Avenue and Cathedral Road are also significant streets in the area.
