Overbrook Farms, Philadelphia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Overbrook Farms
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 Location in Philadelphia
Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Location | Roughly bounded by City Line Ave., 58th St., Woodbine Ave. and 64th St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
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| Area | 168 acres (68 ha) |
| Built | 1893 |
| Architect | Keen & Mead et al. |
| Architectural style | Late 19th and 20th Century Revivals [1], Late Victorian |
| NRHP reference No. | 85000690 |
| Added to NRHP | March 21, 1985 |
Overbrook Farms is a historic neighborhood located in West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It sits on the western side of the city. The area is bordered by City Avenue (also known as U.S. Route 1), 58th Street, Woodbine Avenue, and 66th Street near Morris Park.
The neighborhood is split by Lancaster Avenue (U.S. Route 30) and the old "main line" of the Pennsylvania Railroad. Today, this train line is used by Amtrak for long-distance passenger trains and by SEPTA for local commuter trains, specifically the Paoli/Thorndale Line.
Contents
History of Overbrook Farms
Early Settlers and Development
The land where Overbrook Farms now stands was first settled by Welsh immigrants. They bought this land from William Penn, who founded Pennsylvania. Two of these early farms provided the land for what would become the Overbrook Farms neighborhood.
Development of Overbrook Farms began in 1892. It was one of the first planned communities built along the Pennsylvania Railroad's Main Line. This area is sometimes mistakenly thought to be part of the larger, more crowded Overbrook neighborhood.
The Overbrook Farms Company
The company that developed Overbrook Farms was called the Overbrook Farms Company. The people in charge of this company had connections to important banks like Girard and Drexel, and also to the Pennsylvania Railroad. This planned community was special because it featured some of the first homes designed by students who had just graduated from the University of Pennsylvania's architecture program.
Community Life and Recognition
Overbrook Farms is home to the oldest neighborhood association in the United States that has been running continuously. This group is called the Overbrook Farms Club (OFC). The OFC organizes an annual house tour every spring, allowing people to see the historic homes in the area.
The neighborhood has been recognized as a National Historic District. This means it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which helps protect its historical importance. You can find more details about its history and significance online. A book from 1936, Overbrook Farms, Its Historical Background, Growth and Community Life, also shares a full history of the area.
Nearby Developments and Landmarks
A newer area called Greenhill Farms is located nearby. It has smaller, more modern homes and is not part of the historic district. This development stretches from 66th Street to 72nd Street. It is surrounded on three sides by Morris Park and on the west by City Avenue. Greenhill Farms includes some original large houses that were part of Wistar Morris's old farm. The City Line Avenue Bridge, an important local landmark, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.
Public Libraries
The Free Library of Philadelphia has a branch nearby called the Wynnefield Branch. It offers books, computers, and programs for everyone in the community.
