Mayfair, Philadelphia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mayfair
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The intersection of Frankford and Cottman Avenues in Mayfair
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| Country |  United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Philadelphia County |
| City | Philadelphia |
| Area code(s) | 215, 267 and 445 |
Mayfair is a lively neighborhood in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the Northeast part of the city. It's known as a working-class area. You can find its center where Cottman Avenue and Frankford Avenue meet.
Mayfair is surrounded by other neighborhoods. To the south and east, you'll find Tacony and Wissinoming. Holmesburg is to the east. Pennypack Park is to the north. To the west are Oxford Circle and Rhawnhurst.
Historically, many people of Irish background have lived in Mayfair. More recently, the neighborhood has welcomed many new residents. These include people from Asia, Hispanic backgrounds, Russia, and the Middle East.
History of Mayfair
Before the 1920s, Mayfair was mostly open farmland. There were a couple of important places here. One was The Edwin Forrest Home for Children. Another was The Oxford and Lower Dublin Poor House.
Mayfair really started to grow after World War II. People wanted newer, bigger homes with more space. So, Mayfair was built on what used to be farms. It was near older neighborhoods like Tacony and Holmesburg.
Mayfair offered exciting new ideas for city living. Homes here were rowhouses that were larger than usual. They even had small yards in the front and garages in the back for cars. The automobile became very important for getting around. New shopping areas also popped up along major roads like Roosevelt Boulevard, Frankford Avenue, and Cottman Avenue.
This growth in Mayfair helped connect different parts of the Northeast. It was an early example of how people started moving from crowded city centers to areas just outside them. This trend is called suburbanization.
Learning in Mayfair
Students living in Mayfair attend schools run by the School District of Philadelphia.
Two schools in Mayfair are very old and important. They are the Ethan Allen School and the Edwin Forrest School. Both are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Mayfair Elementary School is also located in the neighborhood.
Ethan Allen and Mayfair elementary schools teach students from kindergarten through 8th grade. Students from Edwin Forrest School usually go to Austin Meehan Middle School. After middle school, students from Austin Meehan, Ethan Allen, and Mayfair schools attend Abraham Lincoln High School.
Abraham Lincoln High School was almost named Mayfair High School. However, people from other neighborhoods disagreed with the name. So, it was named after Abraham Lincoln instead. Mayfair residents were not happy about this change at the time. The school's first stone was laid in 1949. Mayfair Elementary School also opened in 1949.
People of Mayfair
According to the 2010 census, about 38,202 people lived in Mayfair. Most homes here are rowhouses owned by the people who live in them.
Mayfair is well-known for its strong connection to Irish-American culture. In the 2000 census, many people said they had Irish ancestors.
The neighborhood is also home to many other groups. People with German, Italian, Polish, and English backgrounds have lived here for a long time.
Since 2000, Mayfair has become even more diverse. Many new immigrants have moved in. These include people from Russia, various Asian countries, Arab countries, and Hispanic Americans. This mix of cultures makes Mayfair a vibrant and interesting place to live.
Mayfair uses the ZIP codes 19136, 19149, and 19152.
