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National Register of Historic Places listings in North Philadelphia facts for kids

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Location of North Philadelphia in Philadelphia

North Philadelphia is a part of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It's home to many cool and important buildings and places that have a special history. These places are so important that they are listed on something called the National Register of Historic Places. Think of it like a special list of treasures that tell us about the past!

This list helps protect these historic spots so future generations can learn from them. In all of Philadelphia, there are 577 places on this list. North Philadelphia has 163 of these amazing sites. Some of them are even more special and are called National Historic Landmarks, which means they are super important to the history of the entire country!

Cool Historic Places in North Philadelphia

Let's explore some of the interesting places in North Philadelphia that are on the National Register of Historic Places. Each one has a story to tell!

Historic Schools

Many old schools in North Philadelphia are on the list, showing how important education has always been in the area.

  • William Adamson School: Built way back in 1879-1880, this school in West Kensington was designed by a famous architect named Addison Hutton.

|- class="vcard" ! style="background:#A8EDEF" | 2 | William Adamson School

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William Adamson School

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November 18, 1988
(#88002224)

| class="adr" | 2637-2647 North 4th Street
39°59′28″N 75°08′17″W / 39.9911°N 75.1381°W / 39.9911; -75.1381 (William Adamson School)

| class="note" | Built 1879-80, designed by Addison Hutton

  • Alexander Dallas Bache School: Located in Fairmount, this school was added to the list in 1986.

|- class="vcard" ! style="background:#A8EDEF" | 5 | Alexander Dallas Bache School

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Alexander Dallas Bache School

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December 4, 1986
(#86003262)

| class="adr" | 801 North 22nd Street
39°58′12″N 75°10′26″W / 39.97°N 75.1739°W / 39.97; -75.1739 (Alexander Dallas Bache School)

| class="note" |

  • Clara Barton School: Named after the founder of the American Red Cross, this school in North Hunting Park became historic in 1988.

|- class="vcard" ! style="background:#A8EDEF" | 7 | Clara Barton School

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Clara Barton School

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November 18, 1988
(#88002242)

| class="adr" | 300 East Wyoming Avenue
40°01′13″N 75°07′10″W / 40.0203°N 75.1194°W / 40.0203; -75.1194 (Clara Barton School)

| class="note" |

  • Central High School: This impressive school in Ogontz was built between 1937 and 1939. It was designed by Irwin T. Catharine.

|- class="vcard" ! style="background:#A8EDEF" | 19 | Central High School

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Central High School

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December 4, 1986
(#86003267)

| class="adr" | Olney and Ogontz Avenues
40°02′14″N 75°08′58″W / 40.0372°N 75.1494°W / 40.0372; -75.1494 (Central High School)

| class="note" | Irwin T. Catharine, architect (1937-39).

  • Murrell Dobbins Vocational School: This school helps students learn job skills. It was added to the list in 1988.

|- class="vcard" ! style="background:#A8EDEF" | 28 | Murrell Dobbins Vocational School

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Murrell Dobbins Vocational School

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November 18, 1988
(#88002263)

| class="adr" | 2100 Lehigh Ave.
39°59′43″N 75°10′02″W / 39.9953°N 75.1672°W / 39.9953; -75.1672 (Murrell Dobbins Vocational School)

| class="note" |

Important Homes and Mansions

North Philadelphia has some grand old houses that were once home to important people or show us how people lived long ago.

  • Matthew Baird Mansion: This beautiful mansion was built in 1863-1864 in Francisville.

|- class="vcard" ! style="background:#A8EDEF" | 6 | Matthew Baird Mansion

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Matthew Baird Mansion

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December 29, 1983
(#83004241)

| class="adr" | 814 North Broad Street
39°58′07″N 75°09′37″W / 39.9686°N 75.1603°W / 39.9686; -75.1603 (Matthew Baird Mansion)

| class="note" | (1863-64).

  • Bergdoll Mansion: Designed by architect James H. Windrim, this mansion was built between 1885 and 1889 in Spring Garden.

|- class="vcard" ! style="background:#A8EDEF" | 8 | Bergdoll Mansion

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Bergdoll Mansion

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November 7, 1976
(#76001660)

| class="adr" | 2201-2205 Green Street
39°57′56″N 75°10′28″W / 39.9656°N 75.1744°W / 39.9656; -75.1744 (Bergdoll Mansion)

| class="note" | James H. Windrim, architect (1885-89).

  • John Coltrane House: This was the home of the famous jazz musician John Coltrane in Strawberry Mansion. It's a National Historic Landmark!

|- class="vcard" ! style="background-color: #87CEEB;" | 25 | John Coltrane House

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John Coltrane House

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January 20, 1999
(#99000628)

| class="adr" | 1511 North 33rd St.
39°58′49″N 75°11′21″W / 39.9803°N 75.1892°W / 39.9803; -75.1892 (John Coltrane House)

| class="note" |

  • Thomas Eakins House: This house in Spring Garden was the home of Thomas Eakins, a very important American painter. It's also a National Historic Landmark.

|- class="vcard" ! style="background-color: #87CEEB;" | 33 | Thomas Eakins House

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Thomas Eakins House

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October 15, 1966
(#66000679)

| class="adr" | 1729 Mount Vernon Place
39°57′56″N 75°10′02″W / 39.9656°N 75.1672°W / 39.9656; -75.1672 (Thomas Eakins House)

| class="note" |

  • Edwin Forrest House: This house in Cabot was once the home of Edwin Forrest, a famous actor. It's also known as the Philadelphia School of Design for Women.

|- class="vcard" ! style="background:#A8EDEF" | 48 | Edwin Forrest House

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Edwin Forrest House

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January 13, 1972
(#72001152)

| class="adr" | 1346 North Broad St.
39°58′28″N 75°09′33″W / 39.9744°N 75.1592°W / 39.9744; -75.1592 (Edwin Forrest House)

| class="note" | Also listed as the Philadelphia School of Design for Women

  • Mount Pleasant: This beautiful mansion in Fairmount Park is another National Historic Landmark. It's a great example of old architecture.

|- class="vcard" ! style="background-color: #87CEEB;" | 91 | Mount Pleasant

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Mount Pleasant

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October 15, 1966
(#66000685)

| class="adr" | East Reservoir Drive
39°59′00″N 75°12′00″W / 39.9834°N 75.1999°W / 39.9834; -75.1999 (Mount Pleasant)

| class="note" |

  • Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site: This house in Callowhill was once home to the famous writer Edgar Allan Poe. It's a National Historic Site!

|- class="vcard" ! style="background: #A8EDEF;" | 118 | Edgar Allan Poe House, National Historic Site

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Edgar Allan Poe House, National Historic Site

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October 15, 1966
(#66000689)

| class="adr" | 530-532 North Seventh St.
39°57′43″N 75°09′00″W / 39.962°N 75.1499°W / 39.962; -75.1499 (Edgar Allan Poe House, National Historic Site)

| class="note" |

  • Henry O. Tanner House: This house in Strawberry Mansion belonged to Henry O. Tanner, a very important African American artist. It's a National Historic Landmark.

|- class="vcard" ! style="background-color: #87CEEB;" | 145 | Henry O. Tanner House

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Henry O. Tanner House

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May 11, 1976
(#76001672)

| class="adr" | 2908 West Diamond St.
39°59′16″N 75°10′52″W / 39.9878°N 75.1811°W / 39.9878; -75.1811 (Henry O. Tanner House)

| class="note" |

Other Notable Buildings and Districts

North Philadelphia has many other interesting places, from old factories to beautiful parks.

  • Boathouse Row: This famous row of boathouses along the Schuylkill River in Fairmount Park is a National Historic Landmark. It's a beautiful sight, especially at night when the lights are on!

|- class="vcard" ! style="background-color: #87CEEB;" | 12 | Boat House Row

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Boat House Row

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February 27, 1987
(#87000821)

| class="adr" | 1-15 East River Drive
39°58′14″N 75°11′14″W / 39.9706°N 75.1872°W / 39.9706; -75.1872 (Boat House Row)

| class="note" |

  • Brewerytown Historic District: This area, roughly bounded by 30th Street, Girard Avenue, 32nd Street, and Glenwood Avenue, is a historic district. It tells the story of Philadelphia's brewing past.

|- class="vcard" ! style="background: #E6E6FA" | 14 | Brewerytown Historic District

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Brewerytown Historic District

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March 1, 1991
(#91000096)

| class="adr" | Roughly bounded by 30th St., Girard Ave., 32nd St. and Glenwood Ave.
39°58′34″N 75°11′12″W / 39.9761°N 75.1867°W / 39.9761; -75.1867 (Brewerytown Historic District)

| class="note" |

  • Eastern State Penitentiary: This old prison in Fairmount was designed by John Haviland and built between 1821 and 1829. It's a National Historic Landmark and a very interesting place to visit!

|- class="vcard" ! style="background-color: #87CEEB;" | 34 | Eastern State Penitentiary

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Eastern State Penitentiary

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October 15, 1966
(#66000680)

| class="adr" | 21st St. and Fairmount Ave.
39°58′05″N 75°10′23″W / 39.9681°N 75.1731°W / 39.9681; -75.1731 (Eastern State Penitentiary)

| class="note" | John Haviland, architect (1821-29).

  • Fairmount Park: This huge park, covering both banks of the Schuylkill River and Wissahickon Creek, is a historic district itself! It's a great place for outdoor activities.

|- class="vcard" ! style="background: #E6E6FA" | 39 | Fairmount Park

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Fairmount Park

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February 7, 1972
(#72001151)

| class="adr" | Both banks of the Schuylkill River and Wissahickon Creek, from Spring Garden St. to Northwestern Ave.
39°58′58″N 75°11′50″W / 39.9828°N 75.1972°W / 39.9828; -75.1972 (Fairmount Park)

| class="note" | Extends into Northwest and West Philadelphia

  • Fairmount Water Works: Located on the eastern banks of the Schuylkill River, this historic water pumping station was built between 1812 and 1822. It's a National Historic Landmark and a cool example of early engineering.

|- class="vcard" ! style="background-color: #87CEEB;" | 40 | Fairmount Water Works

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Fairmount Water Works

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May 11, 1976
(#76001662)

| class="adr" | Eastern banks of the Schuylkill River
39°57′59″N 75°11′09″W / 39.9664°N 75.1858°W / 39.9664; -75.1858 (Fairmount Water Works)

| class="note" | Frederick Graff, et al., architects (1812-22).

  • Girard College: The Founder's Hall at Girard College is a National Historic Landmark. It was designed by Thomas Ustick Walter and built from 1833 to 1848.

|- class="vcard" ! style="background-color: #87CEEB;" | 50 | Founder's Hall, Girard College

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Founder's Hall, Girard College

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August 4, 1969
(#69000158)

| class="adr" | Corinthian St. and Girard Ave.
39°58′26″N 75°10′12″W / 39.9739°N 75.17°W / 39.9739; -75.17 (Founder's Hall, Girard College)

| class="note" | Thomas Ustick Walter, architect (1833-48).

  • Joe Frazier's Gym: This gym, located on North Broad Street, was where the famous boxer Joe Frazier trained. It's a special place for sports history!

|- class="vcard" ! style="background:#A8EDEF" | 52 | Joe Frazier's Gym

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Joe Frazier's Gym

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April 30, 2013
(#13000257)

| class="adr" | 2917 N. Broad Street
39°59′51″N 75°09′11″W / 39.997444°N 75.153069°W / 39.997444; -75.153069 (Joe Frazier's Gym)

| class="note" |

  • Laurel Hill Cemetery: This beautiful cemetery in Fairmount Park is a National Historic Landmark. It's a peaceful place with lots of history.

|- class="vcard" ! style="background-color: #87CEEB;" | 75 | Laurel Hill Cemetery

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Laurel Hill Cemetery

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October 28, 1977
(#77001185)

| class="adr" | 3822 Ridge Ave.
40°00′15″N 75°11′19″W / 40.0042°N 75.1886°W / 40.0042; -75.1886 (Laurel Hill Cemetery)

| class="note" |

  • Divine Lorraine Hotel: Also known as Lorraine Apartments, this grand building on North Broad Street was designed by Willis G. Hale and built in 1892-1893.

|- class="vcard" ! style="background:#A8EDEF" | 77 | Lorraine Apartments

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Lorraine Apartments

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November 27, 2002
(#02001427)

| class="adr" | 699 North Broad St.
39°58′00″N 75°09′37″W / 39.9667°N 75.1603°W / 39.9667; -75.1603 (Lorraine Apartments)

| class="note" | Willis G. Hale, architect (1892-1893).

  • Metropolitan Opera House: This historic opera house on North Broad Street was added to the list in 1972. It's a place where many famous performances have happened.

|- class="vcard" ! style="background:#A8EDEF" | 86 | Metropolitan Opera House

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Metropolitan Opera House

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February 1, 1972
(#72001163)

| class="adr" | 858 North Broad St.
39°58′12″N 75°09′36″W / 39.9699°N 75.1601°W / 39.9699; -75.1601 (Metropolitan Opera House)

| class="note" |

  • North Broad Street Station, Reading Company: This old train station, designed by Theophilus P. Chandler, Jr., was built between 1896 and 1901. It's a cool example of historic transportation buildings.

|- class="vcard" ! style="background:#A8EDEF" | 98 | North Broad Street Station, Reading Company

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North Broad Street Station, Reading Company

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March 28, 1996
(#96000325)

| class="adr" | 2601 North Broad St.
39°59′33″N 75°09′16″W / 39.9924°N 75.1544°W / 39.9924; -75.1544 (North Broad Street Station, Reading Company)

| class="note" |

  • Church of the Advocate: This beautiful church, designed by Charles Marquedant Burns, was built from 1887 to 1897. It's a National Historic Landmark.

|- class="vcard" ! style="background-color: #87CEEB;" | 133 | George W. South Memorial Protestant Episcopal Church of the Advocate

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George W. South Memorial Protestant Episcopal Church of the Advocate

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February 8, 1980
(#80003620)

| class="adr" | 18th and Diamond Sts.
39°59′09″N 75°09′49″W / 39.9858°N 75.1636°W / 39.9858; -75.1636 (George W. South Memorial Protestant Episcopal Church of the Advocate)

| class="note" | Charles Marquedant Burns, architect (1887-97).

  • Uptown Theater and Office Building: This theater on North Broad Street was designed by Magaziner, Eberhard & Harris and built in 1929. It's a historic place for entertainment.

|- class="vcard" ! style="background:#A8EDEF" | 151 | Uptown Theater and Office Building

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Uptown Theater and Office Building

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July 22, 1982
(#82003817)

| class="adr" | 2240-2248 North Broad St.
39°59′15″N 75°09′22″W / 39.9874°N 75.1561°W / 39.9874; -75.1561 (Uptown Theater and Office Building)

| class="note" | Magaziner, Eberhard & Harris, architects (1929).

  • Wagner Free Institute of Science: This institute, designed by John McArthur, Jr., was built from 1859 to 1865. It's a National Historic Landmark and a place dedicated to science education.

|- class="vcard" ! style="background-color: #87CEEB;" | 153 | Wagner Free Institute of Science

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Wagner Free Institute of Science

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May 17, 1989
(#89000361)

| class="adr" | 17th St. and Montgomery Ave.
39°58′50″N 75°09′46″W / 39.9806°N 75.1628°W / 39.9806; -75.1628 (Wagner Free Institute of Science)

| class="note" | John McArthur, Jr., architect (1859-65).

Places No Longer on the List

Sometimes, a historic place might be removed from the National Register. This can happen if a building is destroyed or changed too much.

  • P.A.B. Widener Mansion: This mansion was designed by Willis G. Hale. Sadly, it was demolished after a fire in 1980 and removed from the list in 1986.

|- class="vcard" ! style="background:#ddd" | 1 | P.A.B. Widener Mansion

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P.A.B. Widener Mansion

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Unspecified
(#79002332)

| class="adr" | 1200 North Broad St.
39°58′20″N 75°09′33″W / 39.9722°N 75.1592°W / 39.9722; -75.1592 (P.A.B. Widener Mansion)

| class="note" | Willis G. Hale, architect.
Demolished after 1980 fire.

  • William J. Stokely School: This school was listed in 1986 but was removed from the list in 2009.

|- class="vcard" ! style="background:#ddd" | 2 | William J. Stokely School |

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December 4, 1986
(#86003336)

| class="adr" | 1844-1860 North 32nd St.
39°59′07″N 75°11′11″W / 39.9853°N 75.1864°W / 39.9853; -75.1864 (William J. Stokely School)

| class="note" | |}

West Kensington Fairmount North Hunting Park Ogontz South Lehigh Francisville Spring Garden Strawberry Mansion Spring Garden Cabot Fairmount Park Callowhill Strawberry Mansion Fairmount Park Brewerytown Fairmount Fairmount Park Fairmount Park Girard College North Central Fairmount Park Poplar Francisville Templetown North Central Templetown North Central
June 27, 1986
Yorktown
April 1, 2009
Strawberry Mansion
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