Nicetown–Tioga, Philadelphia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nicetown–Tioga
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The Wayne Junction train station is located in Germantown, Pa 19144.
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 Nicetown–Tioga
Location in Philadelphia
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| Country |  United States |
| City | Philadelphia |
| Area code(s) | 215, 267 and 445 |
Nicetown–Tioga is a neighborhood in North Philadelphia, a part of the big city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. It's actually made up of two older neighborhoods, Nicetown and Tioga. Even though there are two names, people often just say "Nicetown" to talk about the whole area.
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Exploring Nicetown–Tioga's Location
The exact borders of neighborhoods in Philadelphia can sometimes be a bit tricky to agree on. There aren't official lines for the Nicetown–Tioga area. However, here are some common ideas for its boundaries:
- To the northeast, you'll find Wingohocking Street. Beyond that is the Logan neighborhood.
- To the northwest, Clarissa and Windrim streets mark the edge. Past these streets is Germantown.
- To the south, Allegheny Avenue and the SEPTA train tracks form a boundary. Beyond them are Allegheny West and Glenwood.
- To the east, Old York Road is the border. Across this road is Hunting Park.
The Philadelphia City Planning Commission (PCPC) sees Nicetown as a smaller area. It's bordered by Wingohocking Street, Broad Street, Hunting Park Avenue, and Clarissa Street. They define Tioga as another smaller area. It's bordered by Broad Street, Hunting Park Avenue, and the railroad tracks.
A Look at Nicetown–Tioga's Past
How Nicetown Got Its Name
Nicetown started many centuries ago as a small town. Back then, it was in the countryside of Philadelphia County. The main City of Philadelphia was only what we now call Center City.
Historians say Nicetown was named after Hans te Neues. He was a Mennonite immigrant who bought land here in 1699. His family says he threw a bottle of schnapps over his first house to celebrate it! That first house, built in the early 1700s, burned down in 1800.
Hans and his brother Jan came from Amsterdam in 1698. Jan settled in Germantown. Both brothers were Mennonite ministers and could read and write. Hans and his family were known as "zimmermen," which means house builders. One of his family members was part of the Carpenter's Society of Philadelphia in the early 1800s. Another, Captain John Nice, led a charge at the Battle of Germantown during the American Revolutionary War.
The Meaning Behind "Tioga"
The name "Tioga" is used in many different places. It comes from the Mohawk and Iroquois languages. It describes a place where a stream or river splits or where the water flows very fast. This name has been used in North Philadelphia since at least the mid-1800s.
Changes in the Area Since 1950
The factories and industries in Nicetown–Tioga were very busy during World War II. But after the war, the number of factories and jobs started to go down.
Starting in the 1950s, many people began to move out of the neighborhood. This trend continued through the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. Today, there are some empty buildings in the area.
Who Lives in Nicetown–Tioga Today?
In 2021, about 75.5% of the people living in Nicetown–Tioga were African American. About 24.5% were white. Even though most residents are Black, there is a growing number of Hispanic people. You can especially find more Hispanic residents in the southeastern part of the neighborhood, near Hunting Park.
Learning and Libraries
Public Libraries in the Area
The Free Library of Philadelphia has a branch right in Nicetown–Tioga. It's located at 3720 North Broad Street.
The Free Library of Philadelphia also runs a "Hot Spot" location in Nicetown. This Hot Spot is at Mercy Neighborhood Ministries. Its main goal is to help more people in the neighborhood get access to computers and the internet.
SEPTA's Power Plant Project
In November 2016, the SEPTA board members approved a plan for a new natural gas power plant. SEPTA is the public transportation system in Philadelphia. This plant will cost about $26.8 million and will be built near Wayne Junction Station.
This power plant will be an 8.8-megawatt plant. Its main purpose is to help the regional rail trains keep running even if there's a power outage in the city. Noresco LLC will design the two large piston-engine generators. They will be placed between the Roberts Avenue Rail Yard and the Midvale Bus Depot.
