Manayunk, Philadelphia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Manayunk
|
|
|---|---|
Manayunk Main Street with the Manayunk Bridge in the background
|
|
| Nickname(s):
MNYK, The Yunk
|
|
| Motto(s):
Urban Experience, Small Town Charm
|
|
Map of Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania highlighting Manayunk Borough prior to the Act of Consolidation, 1854
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Philadelphia |
| Population
(2010)
|
|
| • Total | 10,154 |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP Code |
19127
|
| Area codes | 215, 267 and 445 |
Manayunk is a lively neighborhood in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It sits right next to the Schuylkill River, near other neighborhoods like Roxborough and Wissahickon. Manayunk is special because it has the first canal ever started in the United States.
The name "Manayunk" comes from the Lenape Native American tribe. In the late 1600s, the Lenape people called the Schuylkill River "Manaiung." This word meant "river" or "place to drink." Over time, this word was changed slightly and became the name of the town.
Manayunk used to be a place where many working-class families lived. But in recent years, it has changed a lot. It has become a more popular and modern area.
Contents
Discovering Manayunk's Past
Manayunk started as a small community within Roxborough Township in Philadelphia County. It was located close to the Schuylkill River. The land was first bought from William Penn in the late 1600s. A man named Jacob Levering built the very first house in Manayunk around 1716.
At first, the growing town was called Flat Rock. This name came from a unique flat rock near a bridge. This bridge was part of a road connecting Roxborough with Merion Township. The bridge was taken down in 1850.
How Manayunk Became a Manufacturing Hub
Manayunk really started to grow in the 1800s because of a new dam, canal, and locks. These were built by the Schuylkill Navigation Company. The Manayunk part of the canal was finished in 1818. This canal provided a lot of water power. Businesses wanted to use this power for their mills and factories.
In 1819, Captain John Towers opened the first mill that used the canal's water power. After that, many more mills and factories were built. Manayunk quickly became an important manufacturing village. It was especially known for its large textile industry, which made fabrics and clothes.
The Name Change: From Flat Rock to Manayunk
People in the town were not happy with the name "Flat Rock." In 1824, they decided to change it. Some wanted to call it Udoravia, meaning "place by the water." But they chose the Lenape word for river, mëneyung or manaiung, which meant "where we go to drink." To make it easier to spell, the "i" was changed to a "y" and the "g" to a "k."
The first count of people in Manayunk was done in 1827. It showed that 1,098 people lived there.
Manayunk's Journey as a Borough
On June 11, 1840, Manayunk officially became its own borough. This meant it was no longer part of Roxborough. However, this only lasted for 13 years. In 1854, Manayunk and other towns in Philadelphia County joined together to become part of the City of Philadelphia.
Even though it was no longer a separate borough, Manayunk kept its unique identity. It continued to be a major manufacturing center for many years. But in the 1980s, Manayunk faced challenges as many manufacturing jobs disappeared. Main Street, its main shopping area, had many empty stores.
Manayunk's Modern Revival
In the 1990s, Manayunk started to come back to life. New restaurants opened on Main Street. Developers helped promote the neighborhood as a fun place to visit.
Manayunk kept its small-town feel with its two- and three-story row homes, cobblestone streets, and hilly areas. Many visitors loved the charm and decided to move there. They renovated the old row homes. Old factories were turned into cool loft apartments. Empty stores became new, modern shops.
Today, Manayunk is a popular place for college students and young professionals to live. Main Street is famous for its many restaurants and bars. Umbria Street, which used to be called Washington Street, was renamed to honor the many Italian immigrants who moved to the area in the early 1900s.
The Manayunk Main Street Historic District and the James Dobson School are important historical places. They are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Two ships in the U.S. Navy have been named USS Manayunk.
The first ship was a monitor called USS Manayunk (1864). It was built during the American Civil War. Later, it was renamed USS Ajax (1864) and served in the Spanish–American War.
The second ship was a World War II net laying ship called USS Manayunk (AN-81). It operated in the Pacific Ocean, helping to lay and maintain nets and moorings.
Who Lives in Manayunk?
In 2010, Manayunk had 5,913 people living there. Most residents (about 92.6%) were White/Caucasian. About 3.5% were Black or African-American, and 1.7% were Asian.
The average age of people in Manayunk was 27 years old. Many residents (about 45.3%) were between 25 and 44 years old. About 28.5% were between 18 and 24 years old.
Most homes in Manayunk are rented (about 58.7%). The average income for a household in Manayunk was around $70,568 in 2016.
Manayunk's Culture and Community Life
Manayunk has a rich history of different immigrant groups. Many German, Irish, and Polish immigrants settled here. They built their own Catholic churches, like St. John the Baptist, St. Lucy's, St. Mary's, and St. Josaphat's. This is why Manayunk has many church steeples on its hills. There are also several historic Protestant churches, like the Episcopal Church of St. David.
Manayunk is a big part of Philadelphia's art scene. Every year since 1989, it hosts the Manayunk Arts Festival. This is the largest outdoor arts festival in the area. It takes place in late June on Main Street and attracts about 200,000 visitors. The Manayunk-Roxborough Art Center (MRAC) is a place for artists to meet and share their work.
Learning in Manayunk: Schools and Libraries
Manayunk is part of the School District of Philadelphia. Local public schools include Cook-Wissahickon School and Dobson Elementary School, which both serve grades K-8. Students also attend Roxborough High School. Green Woods Charter School is another option in the area.
The Free Library of Philadelphia has a branch nearby called the Roxborough Branch. It serves the Manayunk area. There used to be a Manayunk Branch Library that opened in 1909. It was built with money from Andrew Carnegie. This beautiful library served the community until 1969.
Getting Around Manayunk: Transportation
The SEPTA Manayunk/Norristown Line train runs through Manayunk. It used to be part of the Reading Railroad line. The Manayunk train station is located on an elevated section above Cresson Street.
The Cynwyd Line also used to have a stop in Manayunk. This line used the famous Manayunk Bridge. This concrete railroad bridge crosses the Schuylkill River and is a well-known symbol of Manayunk.
Manayunk is also served by several bus routes, including routes 9, 27, 35, and 61.
Community Groups in Manayunk
The main local community group is the Manayunk Neighborhood Council. They hold public meetings every month.
The Manayunk Special Services District of Philadelphia helps improve the neighborhood for businesses. They provide services to make Manayunk a better place to live and visit.
