Devil's Pocket facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Devil's Pocket
|
|
|---|---|
Street in Devil’s Pocket
|
|
 Devil's Pocket
Location in Philadelphia
|
|
| Country |  United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Philadelphia |
| City | Philadelphia |
| ZIP Code |
19146
|
| Area code(s) | 215, 267, and 445 |
Devil's Pocket is a small and interesting neighborhood in South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It's known for its cozy rowhouses, which are homes built in a row. The neighborhood is located near the Schuylkill River.
Devil's Pocket is bordered by Christian and Taney streets. It also sits near Grays Ferry Avenue and the Naval Square area. This area used to be the Philadelphia Naval Asylum, a place for retired Navy members.
For a long time, Devil's Pocket was home to many Irish-American families. In recent years, the neighborhood has been changing. New buildings are being built, and older ones are being updated. This process is called gentrification. A big example of this change is the expansion of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
How Did Devil's Pocket Get Its Name?
The name "Devil's Pocket" comes from an old story. A local priest supposedly said that the young people in the area were very tough. He thought they were brave enough to even steal something from the devil's own pocket! This legend shows how the neighborhood got its unique and memorable name.
Devil's Pocket in Books and Movies
The neighborhood has even inspired stories! The 1983 novel God's Pocket was written by Pete Dexter. This book is set in a made-up South Philadelphia neighborhood. This fictional place, called God's Pocket, is based on the real Devil's Pocket.
Later, in 2014, the book was made into a movie called God's Pocket. Both the book and the film show a tough, working-class community. They capture the spirit and reputation of the real Devil's Pocket.
