Get to know the many neighborhoods of Philadelphia in Agent Lady’s blog series “Philly Neighborhood Spotlight.” Whether you are looking to buy a home in this wonderful City of Brotherly Love or just want to get to know the lay of the land, read about the history, location, and highlights of Philly neighborhoods.
Queen Village
Location
The Queen Village neighborhood is located on the eastern side of Broad Street just below Old City and Society Hill. The boundaries are south from Lombard Street to Washington Avenue and west from the Delaware River to 6th Street.
History
Queen Village is was one of the earliest European settlements. The area’s original inhabitants were from the Lenni Lenapi tribe, who called the area “Wiccaco,” which means “Pleasant Place.” The European settlers called their new settlement “New Sweden.” It later became known as Southwark, Philadelphia’s very first suburb in 1681 by William Penn. The neighborhood officially became part of the city during the Act of Consolidation in 1854. It wasn’t until the 1970’s that the neighborhood received the name Queen Village, after Queen Christina of Sweden, who played a major role in the original settlements.
Queen Village was home to an extremely diverse population. Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church attracted a large free black community, which made up two-thirds of African Americans in Philadelphia. The community of 20,000 people thrived as people worked as ship builders, weavers, tailors, black smiths, and machinists. In the 1890’s a large Easter European Jewish community lived in Queen Village around 4th and South Street, making up Fabric Row.
There was a decline in population during World War II when residents decided to move from the city to suburbs. Twenty years later in the 1960’s, Edmund Bacon planned to build I-95 through the neighborhood. This would result in the demolition of over 300 historical homes and buildings. Another plan for an expressway, which eventually fell through due to civic backlash, caused property value in the area to plummet. Pockets of South Street had empty storefronts and vacant residences.
Redevelopment began in Queen Village in the 1970s and 1980s up until 2008. Buildings were demolished and newly constructed homes lined the streets. Property value started to rise with this new construction and is considered one of the most expensive neighborhoods in Philadelphia.
Atmosphere
Queen Village is filed with beautiful residences and is empty of high-rises. It’s a residential neighborhood with some small businesses and plenty of restaurants and cafes in the area. The row homes are typically built from brick and three to four stories high. A historical-feel still lingers in the neighborhood as you walk between narrow streets and admire hundreds year old buildings.
Highlights and Events
South Street is always bustling whether it’s a weekend and people are attending the many bars it offers or one of the few festivals that take place every year. In the spring you can enjoy South Street Fest, which is filled with craft and food vendors. When September rolls around, you can enjoy a beer at Brauhaus Scmitz’s Oktoberfest.
Enjoy history right in your backyard by visiting the Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Nathaniel Irish House, and the George Mifflin House.
You’ll never go hungry in Queen Village. One of the neighborhood’s top restaurants is the Famous 4th Street Delicatessen right on Fabric Row where you can enjoy sandwiches so big they’re Instagram-worthy. Or stop by Jim’s Steaks for an authentic Philly lunch on South Street.
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Looking to Move?
Queen Village is a great place to live if you are looking for a residential and quiet neighborhood with history, fantastic food options, and the occasional street festival. Make sure contact Philadelphia’s leading real estate agent, the Agent Lady! Schedule your FREE consultation today to learn more about Queen Village.
