Strawberry Mansion, Philadelphia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Strawberry Mansion
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Strawberry Mansion, under restoration in 2009, is located adjacent to the Strawberry Mansion community
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| Country |  United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Philadelphia |
| City | Philadelphia |
| Area code(s) | 215, 267, and 445 |
Strawberry Mansion is a neighborhood in the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is located east of Fairmount Park in North Philadelphia. The neighborhood is bordered by 33rd Street to the west and 29th Street to the east. Lehigh Avenue is to the north, and Oxford Street is to the south.
The area is named after a historic house called Historic Strawberry Mansion. This house was once a restaurant famous for its strawberries and cream.
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History of Strawberry Mansion
How Strawberry Mansion Got Its Name
This neighborhood was once known as Summerville. It got its current name from the Strawberry Mansion house. This house was a popular spot. It was known for serving delicious strawberries and cream.
In the 1800s, Strawberry Mansion was home to some of Philadelphia's richest families. Homes here were very valuable. They were more expensive than 85% of other houses in the city in 1880.
A Growing Community
In the late 1890s, a Jewish community began to form here. Many Jewish families moved from other parts of Philadelphia. They came from areas like Northern Liberties and Fairmount. Later, in the early 1900s, more Jewish families moved from South Philadelphia. They were looking for greener, more open neighborhoods.
The first synagogue in the area was Beth Israel. It moved to 32nd and Montgomery in 1909. A real estate agent even advertised Strawberry Mansion. They called it a place with "fresh air" and "beautiful country landscape." At its busiest time, about one-fifth of the city's Jewish population lived here. They built a strong community. Over time, many families moved to other neighborhoods.
There were at least 21 synagogues in Strawberry Mansion. Most were built in the early 1900s. By 2015, six of these buildings were still standing. They had been changed into churches.
Changes Over Time
In the 1950s and 1960s, the neighborhood faced economic challenges. Some areas began to show signs of urban decay. By 2000, home prices in Strawberry Mansion were among the lowest in the city.
Today, Strawberry Mansion is a large neighborhood. It has been working to improve its community. Many grand park-side homes can still be found. These homes show what was once a very wealthy area.
Modern Efforts and Community Spirit
For many generations, Strawberry Mansion has been home to horses and urban cowboys. One local group is the Fletcher Street Urban Riding Club. This club helps neighborhood children. It offers them activities and support. There is also a notable mural here. It is called "A Tribute to Urban Horsemen." You can see it at the community garden near 33rd Street.
In 2015, a big change was announced. The East Park Reservoir basin would be opened to the public. This project aims to expand youth programs in the park. The mayor at the time, Michael Nutter, said Strawberry Mansion would become a "melting pot" for Philadelphia. Residents are excited for these improvements. They will bring more park amenities to the area. This shows new efforts to improve Fairmount Park.
Who Lives in Strawberry Mansion?
The community has specific borders. Fairmount Park is to the west. Lehigh Avenue is to the north. Sedgley Avenue and the SEPTA rail tracks are to the east. Cecil B. Moore Avenue is to the south.
Neighboring areas include Allegheny West to the north. Glenwood and Stanton are to the east. Brewerytown is to the south.
In 2010, most residents were African American (94.3%). There were also smaller groups of white (2.3%), Hispanic (1.6%), and Asian (0.8%) residents.
Learning in Strawberry Mansion
The School District of Philadelphia serves the students of Strawberry Mansion.
Strawberry Mansion High School is located in the neighborhood. This high school once shared a building with a middle school and Leslie P. Hill Elementary School. Leslie P. Hill Elementary School closed in 2013. Before that, many children went to elementary, middle, and high school without leaving the same building. Now, James G. Blaine school feeds into Strawberry Mansion High School.
In 2015, a music recording studio opened at Strawberry Mansion High School. It was paid for by the famous recording artist Drake.
The historic Most Precious Blood School is also in the neighborhood.
Famous People from Strawberry Mansion
Many talented people have come from Strawberry Mansion:
- John Coltrane – A famous musician and composer. His home, the John Coltrane House, is a National Historic Landmark.
- Mary Dee – A well-known radio broadcaster.
- Larry Fine – A comedian and a member of the Three Stooges.
- Meek Mill – A popular rapper.
- Ronald Murray – A professional basketball player.
- Allen Rosenberg – A rower and rowing coach.
- Sandy Stewart – A singer and entertainer.
- Jazmine Sullivan – A Grammy award-winning singer and songwriter.
