Callowhill, Philadelphia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Callowhill
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View of Callowhill from Chinatown
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 Callowhill
Location in Philadelphia
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| Country |  United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Philadelphia |
| City | Philadelphia |
| Area code(s) | 215, 267, and 445 |
Callowhill is a neighborhood in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is known by this name, but the City of Philadelphia does not officially recognize it. A local group, the Callowhill Neighborhood Association, gave the area its name.
The neighborhood is generally found around Callowhill Street. Its borders are roughly Vine Street, Spring Garden Street, Broad Street, and 8th Street. Callowhill Street itself was named after Hannah Callowhill Penn. She was the second wife of William Penn, who founded Pennsylvania. Hannah was also in charge of Pennsylvania after William Penn.
Contents
Discovering Callowhill
A Look at Callowhill's Past
Callowhill was once a busy place for factories and other industries. Many large, old factory buildings still stand there. These buildings show the area's history. In the 1970s and 1980s, fewer people lived in Callowhill. Even though more people are moving in now, it is still less populated than nearby areas.
Recently, builders have started to change these old factories. They are using a process called adaptive reuse. This means they turn old buildings into new things. Many factories have become modern homes called loft-style housing. Because of this, some people call the neighborhood "The Loft District." In 2010, the Callowhill Industrial Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is a special place with important history.
Callowhill's Location and Connections
Callowhill is separated from its southern neighbor, Chinatown, by the Vine Street Expressway. This big road has mostly stopped Chinese businesses from moving north into Callowhill. However, some Chinese businesses do use buildings in Callowhill for storage or industrial work.
The Vine Street Expressway also makes the area above Chinatown feel less lively. It has been a challenge to develop this part of the city. This area is located between Center City and North Philadelphia.
The Rail Park: A Green Space
A special part of Callowhill is the old Reading Railroad train track structure. It is called the Reading Viaduct. This old structure used to carry trains. Now, local groups wanted to turn it into a public park.
The idea for the Reading Viaduct park became very popular in 2009. The Center City District (CCD) in Philadelphia, and its leader Paul Levy, loved the idea. They became a partner to help manage the project. The CCD announced in February 2018 that the first part of the park would open soon. This first section is about a quarter-mile long and is built above the ground. The official grand opening of The Rail Park happened on June 14, 2018. Many people came to celebrate this new green space.
Local Services
The Philadelphia Traffic Court is located in Callowhill. You can find it at Spring Garden Street and North 8th Street.
