Girard Estate facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Girard Estate
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Donatucci Branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia
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| Country |  United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Philadelphia |
| City | Philadelphia |
| Area code(s) | 215, 267, and 445 |
Girard Estate, sometimes called Girard Estates, is a cool neighborhood in South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. It stretches from South 22nd Street on the west to South 17th Street on the east. Its southern edge is Shunk Street. The northern boundary is a bit wiggly, going from Porter Street to West Passyunk Avenue.
This neighborhood is named after Stephen Girard. His land in South Philadelphia was turned into this community by the City of Philadelphia in the 1920s.
Contents
A Look Back at Girard Estate
Who Was Stephen Girard?
Stephen Girard was a very wealthy man who lived a long time ago. He was likely the richest person in the United States when he passed away in 1831. He left most of his huge fortune, about $6 million, to the City of Philadelphia.
Girard had a special country home called Gentilhommiere. In his will, he said that this land should never be sold. He also wanted the city to create a school for poor orphaned boys, which is now Girard College.
Homes for Families
To follow Stephen Girard's wishes about his land, the city decided to build homes there. The Board of City Trusts, which managed Girard's money, built 481 rental houses. These became the homes of Girard Estate.
Most of these homes were designed by architects John and James H. Windrim. They were built between 1906 and 1916. The houses have many different and interesting styles. These include Bungalow, Prairie, Mission, Jacobean Revival, and Colonial Revival. They look quite different from the usual row homes you see in South Philly.
In 1950, the city was allowed to sell all 481 of these homes. They were all bought by private owners within just two years.
Lights, Camera, Girard Estate!
In 1979, Girard Estate became a movie set for "Rocky II." The film crew spent a week shooting scenes on the 2300 block of S. Lambert Street. In the movie, the character Rocky Balboa buys a house at 2313 S. Lambert Street. He bought it with the money he won from his boxing match in the first "Rocky" film. All the outdoor scenes were filmed right on the street. The inside parts of the house were filmed in a studio.
Historic Places Nearby
Two important places near Girard Estate are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These are the Philadelphia Quartermaster Depot and the Edgar Allan Poe School. This means they are recognized for their historical importance.
Learning and Libraries
Schools in the Area
The School District of Philadelphia runs the public schools that serve the Girard Estate neighborhood.
Your Local Library
The Free Library of Philadelphia has a branch that serves Girard Estate. It's called the Thomas F. Donatucci, Sr. Branch. It used to be known as the Passyunk Branch. The library got its current name in 2004. It's a great place to find books, learn, and connect with your community.
Famous People from Girard Estate
- Stephen Girard (1750-1831): He was a very important banker and gave a lot of money to good causes. The neighborhood is named after him.
- Pat Martino (1944-2021): A talented jazz musician who was known for his amazing guitar playing.
