Washington Square West, Philadelphia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Washington Square West Historic District
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Clinton Street in Washington Square West, Philadelphia
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 Location in Philadelphia
Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Location | Bounded by 7th and Broad, Chestnut and South Streets, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
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| Area | 61 acres (25 ha) |
| Architect | Multiple |
| Architectural style | Late Victorian, Federal, Georgian |
| NRHP reference No. | 84003563 |
| Added to NRHP | September 20, 1984 |
Washington Square West is a lively neighborhood in Center City, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It's located between 7th and Broad Streets, and Chestnut and South Streets. This area is close to famous spots like Independence Mall and Old City. The neighborhood gets its name from Washington Square, a historic park in its northeast corner.
Washington Square West is a great place to live. It's known for its cool shops, tasty restaurants, and cozy coffee houses. Many places here are welcoming to all people. This includes a special part of the neighborhood called the Gayborhood. This area hosts fun yearly events that celebrate its diverse community.
You can find Philadelphia's Antique Row here, which is a street with many antique shops. The nation's oldest hospital, Pennsylvania Hospital, is also in this neighborhood. Plus, Mikveh Israel Cemetery, Philadelphia's oldest Jewish burial ground, is located here. Important medical and educational buildings from Thomas Jefferson University are also part of the area.
The buildings in Washington Square West are a mix of homes, shops, and offices. You'll see two, three, and four-story rowhouses. There are also modern apartments, hospitals, and offices with shops on the ground floor. The neighborhood follows William Penn's original city plan. It has many small, one-lane streets and pedestrian paths added over time. Besides the large Washington Square Park, there's also the smaller Kahn Park. It's named after the famous architect Louis Kahn, who lived nearby.
A Look at Its Past
The name "Washington Square West" became official in the late 1950s and early 1960s. This was part of a big plan for Center City by architect Edmund Bacon. His plan divided the southeast part of Center City into two areas. These were Washington Square East (now known as Society Hill) and Washington Square West. Both areas were set for a big refresh by the city. After a period of decline, city leaders hoped to clean up and improve these neighborhoods.
After Washington Square East (Society Hill) was renewed in the early 1960s, the city focused on Washington Square West. In the late 1960s, the city bought and tore down many buildings. By the mid-1970s, the city owned a fifth of the neighborhood. However, money for city renewal projects started to run out. The city could no longer afford to finish the renewal of Washington Square West. Many areas where buildings were torn down in the 1960s and 1970s were left as empty lots. This left the neighborhood in a difficult state.
From the late 1970s into the 1980s, the neighborhood slowly started to recover. This happened without the large-scale city projects seen in Society Hill. The 1990s brought a big change. Mayor Ed Rendell encouraged people to invest in Center City. This led to a process called gentrification, where an area improves and becomes more popular. By the late 1990s and early 2000s, the neighborhood had become a strong and lively community.
The Washington Square West Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. This means it's a special place recognized for its history. The district covers about 61 acres and includes 450 important buildings. Inside this district, you can also find the Clinton Street Historic District, Roberts-Quay House, and Portico Row, which are also listed separately for their historical value.
Exploring the Gayborhood
A special part of Washington Square West is known as The Gayborhood. It's roughly located between Chestnut, Pine, Juniper, and 11th streets. This area is famous for having many small businesses, services, restaurants, and places that are welcoming to the LGBT community. It's also where Philadelphia's yearly OutFest: National Coming Out Day celebration takes place.
On April 18, 2007, the city of Philadelphia officially recognized this area. They added 36 rainbow flag symbols to street signs within the Gayborhood. In June 2010, 32 more signs were added. On June 25, 2015, rainbow colors were painted onto crosswalks at 13th and Locust streets. These rainbows show support and pride for the community.
Because it's such a successful neighborhood, there have been attempts to develop the Gayborhood. In 2002, a developer tried to rename 13th Street and its surroundings "Blocks Below Broad." This effort didn't quite succeed. In 2006, a group of merchants tried again to re-brand the area as "Midtown Village." They opened new shops along 13th Street. However, many long-time residents and business owners still call the area the Gayborhood or Center City. In 2019, the Camac Baths became the first LGBTQ landmark in the city. This historic place was a meeting spot for gay and bisexual men as early as the 1930s.
