Ashton-Woodenbridge, Philadelphia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ashton-Woodenbridge
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| Country |  United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Philadelphia |
| City | Philadelphia |
| Area codes | 215, 267 and 445 |
Ashton-Woodenbridge is a neighborhood in Northeast Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It's also known as Ashton-Wooden Bridge or Pennypack. This area is located on the eastern side of the far northeast part of the city. It's near the Northeast Philadelphia Airport, stretching from Wooden Bridge Run west to Academy Gardens, and south to Pennypack Park.
Contents
History of Ashton-Woodenbridge
Early Days and Founding
Long ago, Ashton-Woodenbridge was mostly farmland. It was part of the land owned by Thomas Holme. He was a surveyor for William Penn, who founded the city of Philadelphia. This area was originally part of Lower Dublin Township. In 1854, it became part of the City of Philadelphia.
A Special Community
When Thomas Holme passed away, he freed the people he had enslaved. Their families later owned much of this land. You can still see signs of their community near Holme Circle today. There was once a small village there called Harrisburg. The tiny Bethany A.M.E. Church on Ashton Road is very old. Some believe it might be one of the oldest African-American churches, even rivaling Mother Bethel A.M.E..
How the Name Came About
The name "Woodenbridge" comes from Wooden Bridge Run. This is a small creek that flows through the northern part of the area. It eventually flows into Pennypack Creek. The name "Ashton-Woodenbridge" became common in the 1970s. It honors the Ashton Family. Joseph Ashton, an early member of this family, settled near Pennypack Creek even before William Penn arrived. Another Joseph Ashton, his great-great grandson, owned a farm called River Dale. This farm is now the Torresdale Filter Plant, which helps clean water for the city. Other members of the Ashton family also lived near Ashton Road.
Farming and Transportation
Ashton-Woodenbridge was an active farming area until the early 1960s. When it snowed heavily, horse-drawn wagons were often used. They helped people travel up the steep Ashton Road. This way, workers could reach the bus stop at Holme Circle.
Modern Ashton-Woodenbridge
Local Industry
For a long time, freight trains have served this area. There are still active businesses here today. Crown, Cork, and Seal was a major company on Ashton Road for many years. They later moved their main office to a larger campus further north.
Northeast Philadelphia Airport
The Northeast Philadelphia Airport is located at the northern end of Ashton Road. It's near Grant Avenue. This airport started as a military airbase during World War II. Now, it's a general aviation airport. This means it's used for private planes and smaller flights. It helps reduce traffic at Philadelphia International Airport. Even though it doesn't have regular passenger flights, it's the sixth-busiest airport in Pennsylvania!
Growing the Neighborhood
After World War II, many veterans moved to Ashton-Woodenbridge. This led to a big growth in the Northeast area. The homes here are mostly "twins" (two homes connected), row homes, townhouses, and apartments.
