Moyamensing, Philadelphia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Moyamensing
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 Moyamensing
Location in Pennsylvania
Moyamensing
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Philadelphia |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| Area codes | 215, 267, and 445 |
Moyamensing was once a separate area in Pennsylvania, United States. It was a township during the time when the British ruled the American colonies. Today, it is part of South Philadelphia, a section of the big city of Philadelphia. You can find many neighborhoods along the Moyamensing Avenue corridor in this area.
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A Look Back at Moyamensing
Moyamensing has a long and interesting history. It was originally land belonging to the Lenape Nation, a group of Native American people.
What's in a Name?
The name "Moyamensing" might sound a bit tricky! Some people thought it meant "place of pigeon droppings." But a language expert named Raymond Whritenour believes it comes from the Southern Unami language, a dialect of the Lenape people. He says mwimënshink means "place of wild black cherry trees."
Early Days and Land Ownership
The land around a stream called Moyamensink Kill was first granted in 1664. This was when the Dutch West India Company was in charge. Later, in 1680, a nearby swampy area was called Moyamensic Marsh.
In 1684, the land changed hands from the Dutch to the English. William Penn, who founded Pennsylvania, then gave the title to some new owners.
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Moyamensing's Boundaries
Moyamensing Township included this land and an area called Wicaco. Its northern edge was South Street. To the east, it bordered the Delaware River. Its western boundary was what is now Seventeenth Street.
In 1816, Moyamensing was about three miles long and two miles wide. It covered about 2,560 acres (10 square kilometers).
Becoming Part of Philadelphia
In 1812, the people of Moyamensing were officially recognized as "the commissioners and inhabitants of the township of Moyamensing." They even had their own police force! In 1831, the township was split into East and West Moyamensing.
Moyamensing was one of the first townships created after Pennsylvania was settled. It officially became part of the city of Philadelphia in 1854.
Moyamensing Prison
A building called the Moyamensing Prison was built between 1822 and 1835. It was located at Reed and 10th Streets. Part of this prison was also used as a debtors' prison, where people who couldn't pay their debts were held. The prison building was taken down in 1967.
