Whitman, Philadelphia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Whitman
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George Sharswood School
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| Country |  United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Philadelphia |
| City | Philadelphia |
| Zip code |
19148
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| Area code(s) | 215, 267 and 445 |
Whitman is a friendly neighborhood in South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It's located between Sixth Street and Front Street, and from Bigler Street to Snyder Avenue. The area got its name from the nearby Walt Whitman Bridge, which was built in the 1950s.
In 2015, Whitman and other neighborhoods in South Philadelphia were recognized by Philadelphia Magazine. They were called one of the safest and most family-friendly places to live in the city.
Who Lives in Whitman?
Whitman is home to many different people. In 2000, when combined with Queen Village and Southwark, about 26,300 people lived here. The community is made up of different groups, including White, Black, Asian, and Latino residents. About 40 percent of the people living in Whitman are under 18 years old. There is also a large number of Irish Catholic families. By 2010, the number of people living in Whitman grew. There was also a noticeable increase in Asian American residents and young professionals moving into the area.
Cool Places to See in Whitman
Whitman has several important spots that are well-known in the neighborhood.
- The Whitman Plaza shopping center is a popular place to visit. You can find it at Fourth Street and Oregon Avenue.
- The YPC Shari-Eli synagogue is a place of worship located at 728 W Moyamensing Avenue.
- The Preah Buddha Rangsey Temple is another important religious building. It is on the southeast corner of Mifflin Square.
Two historic buildings in Whitman are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These are the George Sharswood School and the SS United States.
Fun Places to Play in Whitman
Whitman has several parks and playgrounds where kids can have fun and play sports.
Lawrence E. Murphy Recreation Center
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This large park is located at 300 W. Shunk Street. It covers almost 5 acres! Here, you can find playground equipment, a swimming pool, a basketball court, and fields for different sports. The center also has a building with a gym and rooms for various activities. The park was renamed in 1964 to honor Lawrence E. Murphy. He worked for the recreation department for 37 years, including at this very spot when it was called "Greenwich Recreation Center."
Mifflin Square
Mifflin Square is a 4.2-acre park found at 500 Wolf Street. This park in South Philadelphia is a great place to relax. It has many large trees, walking paths, playground equipment, and a basketball court.
Reverend Edward P. Burke Playground
This playground is at 200 Snyder Avenue. It's a 1.7-acre area with playground equipment, a basketball court, and a hockey court. It's right next to the Whitman branch of the Free Library. The playground was named in 1963 to honor Reverend Edward P. Burke. He was a pastor at Our Lady of Mount Carmel church from 1950 until he passed away in 1960. He was also a U.S. Army chaplain during World War II.
Schools and Libraries in Whitman
The School District of Philadelphia runs the public schools in the Whitman neighborhood.
Local Schools
- The George Sharswood Elementary school is at 2300 S. Second Street.
- John H. Taggart Elementary school is at 400 Porter Street.
Students who go to Sharswood Elementary usually go on to Furness High School.
Public Libraries
The Free Library of Philadelphia has a Whitman Branch that serves the community. It's a great place to find books and learn new things.
Famous People from Whitman
Some notable people have grown up in the Whitman neighborhood.
- Joey Coyle was known for a unique event in 1981. His story was even turned into a 1993 movie called Money for Nothing, starring John Cusack.
- Jim Kenney grew up in Whitman. He later became the 99th mayor of Philadelphia. He also used to be on the board of the Whitman Council Civic Association.
- Mark Squilla is a city councilman who represents the area.
Community Groups in Whitman
The Whitman community has several groups that work to make the neighborhood a better place. These groups help keep the area safe and connected.
- Whitman Plaza Community
- Pennsport/Whitman Town Watch
- Mifflin Square Patrol
- Whitman Council, which holds meetings every month and sends out newsletters every two months.
