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Philadelphia Information Locator Service
Philadelphia Neighborhoods and Place Names, A-K
The majority of the names from this list are taken from Philadelphia Almanac and Citizens' Manual which was edited by Kenneth Finkel and published by the Library Company of Philadelphia in 1994 and 1995. It has been augmented by the staff of the Philadelphia City Archives.
(R.D.A.) = Redevelopment Area.
| Neighborhood | Location | Date of
reference |
| Abbotsford | South of 52nd Street and Baltimore Avenue. | |
| Abbottsford | East of Schuylkill River on heights below Falls of the Schuylkill, approximately where North Laurel Hill Cemetery is located. | |
| Academy Gardens | Vicinity of Willits Road and Pennypack Park. | 1970s |
| Achpoquesing | See Poetquessing. | |
| Adelphi | Along Indian Run, about 2 miles north of Haddington. | |
| Allegheny West | East bank of Schuylkill River, from Allegheny to Glenwood Avenues, to railroad tracks. | 1970s |
| Andorra | Beyond Roxborough, between Wissahickon Creek and Schuylkill River. Named for the European principality. | 1861 |
| Angora | Vicinity of Cobbs Creek around Baltimore Avenue. Settled by David Callahan. | 1861 |
| Aramingo | Also known as Gunner's Run. The former name is taken from the Native tumanaramingo, or "wolf walk"; the latter from a nearby creek. Located between Northern Liberties and Bridesburg. | 1850 |
| Aramingo (R.D.A.) | Bounded by Orthodox Street, Delaware River, Venango Street and railroad tracks. | 1948 |
| Armentown | Derogatory name for early settlement in Germantown. | |
| Art Museum Area | See Fairmount. | |
| Arunnamink | South of Woodland Avenue and west of Schuylkill River to Cobbs Creek. | |
| Ashton-Woodenbridge | Also known as Ashton-Wooden Bridge. Vicinity of Northeast Philadelphia Airport, including Wooden Bridge Run west to Academy Gardens. | 1970s |
| Asoepek | Native village, west of Frankford Creek. | 17th century |
| Aston | Also known as Astenville or Five Points. Intersection of Monument, Falls and Ford Roads. (West Philadelphia) | |
| Babylon | Village located 2 mile southeast of Byberry Meeting. | |
| Badlands, The | Vicinity of 4th and Cambria Streets. Named by narcotics police and the media. | 1991 |
| Ball Town | Also known as Balton. South of Port Richmond, where Cramp's Shipyard stood. | 1808 |
| Bankahoe | North of Shackamaxon | 17th century |
| Baring | North of Lancaster Avenue and 40th Street, south of Mantua. | 1990 |
| Bartram Gardens | Also known as Bartram Village. Vicinity of 56th Street and Lindbergh Boulevard. | 1980s |
| Bath Town | Also known as Bathtown and Rose of Bath. (1808). Vicinity of Germantown Road near Cohocksink Creek in present Northern Liberties. | 1765 |
| Bebberstown | Also known as Beggarstown, Dogtown and Franklinville. Vicinity of Mennonite Church on Germantown Avenue between Gorgas Lane to Cliveden Street. Named for the Rev. Mathias van Bebber. | |
| Belfield | Vicinity of Chelten and Olney Avenues, Wister Street and Ogontz Avenue. Named for the Belfield Mansion. | 1980 |
| Bella Vista | Between 6th and 11th Streets, South Street to Washington Avenue. | 1976 |
| Bellevue | Vicinity of Nicetown Lane and Westmoreland Street. | |
| Bell's Corner | South of Pennypack Creek, north of Rhawnhurst, vicinity of Algon Avenue and Horrocks Street. | 1980s |
| Belmont | West from Schuylkill River along Parkside Avenue and north to City Avenue. Named for the 1754 (extant) Peters family house in Fairmount Park. | 1853 |
| Bentley | Above Philmont Avenue, at border of Montgomery and Bucks Counties. | 1980s |
| Black Bottom | Vicinity of 40th and Market Streets, north and east to Haverford Avenue. | |
| Blockley | Large township on the west bank of the Schuylkill River, north of Kingsessing Township. Name was applied to the almshouse erected on west bank of Schuylkill River which later became the Philadelphia General Hospital. | 1705-1861 |
| Blocks, The | At foot of Hays Lane, in Manayunk. | |
| Blue Bell | Woodland Avenue and Cobbs Creek. | 1843 |
| Blue Bell Hill | Vicinity of Walnut Lane and Johnson Street, north of Wissahickon Creek. | |
| Bonnafon | Vicinity of Wilmington & Baltimore Railroad Station along Cobbs Creek near Darby Road. | |
| Branchtown | Named for the Branchtown Hotel, Old York Road near Church Lane. | 1839-1910 |
| Brewerytown | East bank of Schuylkill River, north of Fairmount. | 1920s |
| Brickyard | Irish section of Germantown. | |
| Bridesburg | Also known as Kirkbridesburg. Located along Delaware River, north of Frankford Creek, it was named for ferry operator and bridge owner, Joseph Kirkbride. | 1843 |
| Brideton | Vicinity of the east end of the Columbia Railroad Bridge, now in Fairmount Park. | |
| Bristol | One of the original townships of Philadelphia. Bounded by Cheltenham Avenue, Ivy Hill Road, Stenton Avenue, Wister Street, Wingohocking and Tacony Creeks. | 1696-1854 |
| Burholme | Vicinity of Cottman and Oxford Avenues and Verree Road. Named for the mansion on Cottman Avenue erected in 1860s. | |
| Bush Hill | Between 12th and 19th streets, Vine Street to Fairmount Avenue; named for the mid-18th century house and estate owned by members of the Hamilton family. | 1808 |
| Bustleton | Also known as Busseltown. Located west of Roosevelt Boulevard, north of Pennypack Creek, adjacent to Northeast Philadelphia Airport. Named after the mid-18th century Busselton Tavern. | 1843 |
| Butcherville | Vicinity of Haddington. | |
| Byberry | West of Roosevelt Boulevard, above Somerton Avenue to Bucks County line. Name of one of the original townships of Philadelphia County. Settled by Swedes, renamed by English. | 1703 |
| Byberry Cross | Also known as Plumbsock. Junction of Byberry and Bensalem turnpikes. | 1843-1861 |
| Byberry Point | Where Bensalem Road branches from Bustleton Avenue. | 1843-1861 |
| California | Vicinity of Swampoodle | |
| Callowhill | Vicinity of 2nd and Callowhill Streets. | 1768 |
| Camac's Woods | 11th Street and Montgomery Avenue. Site for circuses, balloon ascensions, and athletic events. Named for Turner Camac's estate. | 1850 |
| Campington | Vicinity of 2nd and Green Streets, where British troops camped in the 1750s. | 1808 |
| Carcus Hook | Vicinity of 84th Street (Hook Road) and Buist Avenue, north of Eastwick. | |
| Carpenter's Island | North of Hog Island. | 1750 |
| Carroll Park | Between Lansdowne and Girard Avenues, from 52nd to 63rd Streets. | 1970s |
| Castor | Vicinity of Castor and Cottman Avenues. | 1980 |
| Cedarbrook | Vicinity of Wadsworth Avenue, Stenton to Cheltenham Avenues. | 1970s |
| Cedar Grove | Also known as Helltown, Pleasantville. Vicinity of Limekiln Pike, above Washington Lane. | |
| Cedar Grove | Also known as Whitaker's Hollow. Vicinity of Tacony Creek, Olney and Asylum Roads. | |
| Cedar Park | Larchwood Avenue between 46th and 52nd Streets, south to SEPTA tracks. | 1970s |
| Center City | The original city of Philadelphia between the Schuylkill and Delaware Rivers, Vine to South streets. | |
| Center City (R.D.A.) | Schuylkill to Delaware Rivers, Spring Garden to South Streets. | 1963 |
| Chestnut Hill | Northwestern Avenue to Cresheim Creek, Forbidden Drive to Stenton Avenue. | 1704 |
| Chinatown | Also known as China Town. Arch to Vine Streets, from 8th to 11th Streets. First Chinese business opened on 10th Street in 1850. | 1926 |
| Chingihameng | Included Society Hill and part of Northern Liberties. | 1655 |
| Clearview | East of Cobbs Creek to Lindbergh Boulevard, between 78th & 84th Streets. | 1888 |
| Cloverhill | West of Frankford, south of Tacony Creek and Juniata Parks. | 1808 |
| Cobbs Creek | Vicinity of Cobbs Creek Park, from Baltimore Avenue to Market Street. | 1970s |
| Cohocksink | Also known as Cohocksink Village. Located in the vicinity of 6th Street and Germantown Avenue. Taken from the Native cuweuhacsink, or "pine woods." | 1843 |
| College Avenue (R.D.A.) | Bounded by Master Street, Broad Street, South College Avenue, Ridge Avenue and Girard Avenue. Enlarged to include area bounded by Master, Jefferson, Willington and Sydenham Streets | 1960-1968 |
| Collegeville | Above Holmesburg, along Frankford Avenue, north of Pennypack Creek. | 1843-1910 |
| Comlyville | Vicinity of Frankford Creek, site of a powder magazine. | |
| Cooksocky | Also known as Wood=s Landing. Vicinity of East Falls, north of Mendenhall Ferry, on the west bank of the Schuylkill River. | |
| Coopersville | See West Kensington. | |
| Coquanoc | Also known as Coaquannock or Cuwequenaku. A native village which once occupied a portion of Center City. | |
| Corktown | Irish section of West Philadelphia in the vicinity of Mantua. | |
| Country Lane | West of Bustleton Avenue and Route 532. | 1980s |
| Cowtown | Also known as Kellyville. Vicinity of Chelten Avenue and Morton Street, in the Wingohocking Valley. | |
| Creesam | Name of an unofficial "township" which stretched from Carpenter Lane to Northwestern Avenue. See also Cresheim. | 1734-1768 |
| Crefelt | Also known as Crefeld. Tract of Chestnut Hill north of Rex Avenue to Northwestern Avenue. | 1690s |
| Crescentville | Also known as Grubtown or Grubbstown. Located in the vicinity of Adams, Rising Sun, and Tabor Avenues. Named for an early 19th century rope factory. | 1843 |
| Cresheim | Also known as Creesam or Kriesheim. Section of Germantown and Mount Airy between Washington Lane and Mermaid Lane. | 1690s - 1768 |
| Crestmont Farms | Located along Bucks County line, at Poquessing Creek. | 1970s |
| Cross Roads | Vicinity of Byberry Road and Dunk's Ferry Road. | 1843 |
| Dearnley Park | Located between Dearnley Street and Wigard Avenue, west of Ridge Avenue, in Roxborough. | 1980s |
| Delaware | Name of a short-lived township located along the Delaware River in Northeast Philadelphia between Cottman Avenue and Poquessing Creek. | 1852-1854 |
| Devil's Pocket | South of Lombard Street, east of 27th Street and north of Washington Avenue. | |
| Dogtown | See Bebberstown. | |
| Doverville | New name chosen for Roseville (over Goosetown, Geisseville, Bridgewater, and Christian Shore) by "respectable inhabitants" of village along Frankford Road, just below Frankford Creek. | 1845 |
| Dungan Hill | Bustleton Avenue near Sandiford. | |
| Dunlap | Vicinity of Haverford Avenue and Market Street, 46th to 52nd Streets. | 1980s |
| Dyottsville | Vicinity south of Port Richmond. Named for the Dyott glass works. | 1843 |
| East Falls | Formerly known as Falls of the Schuylkill, Falls Village. East side of Schuylkill River, about 2 mile south of the mouth of Wissahickon Creek. Named in the early 19th century for river rapids that disappeared after completion of the Fairmount Dam. | 1946 |
| East Germantown | Germantown Avenue to Stenton Avenue in the vicinity of Chelten Avenue and Wister Street. | |
| East Mount Airy | Mount Airy, east of Germantown Avenue. | 1970s |
| East Oak Lane | Godfrey Avenue to Cheltenham Avenue, east of Broad Street. | 1970s |
| Eastwick | Also known as Gladwyn. Northwest of Philadelphia International Airport, vicinity of Heintz National Wildlife Refuge. Named for Andrew M. Eastwick. | 1946 |
| Eastwick (R.D.A.) | Bounded by 58th Street, Schuylkill River, Penrose Avenue, Philadelphia International Airport, Delaware County line, Woodland, Island, Passyunk and Dicks Avenue, and Lindbergh Boulevard. | 1948 |
| Einstein Southern (R.D.A) | Bounded by 4th, Dickinson, 5th and Reed Streets | 1966 |
| Elmwood | North of Eastwick, below Woodland Avenue. | 1888 |
| Evergreen | South of South Street, east of Grays'= Ferry. | 1808 |
| Fackenland | South of Frankford Creek. German for "fine land." | 17th century |
| Fairhill | Front to 10th Streets, Cumberland Street to Allegheny Avenue. | 1980s |
| Fairmount | Also known as the Art Museum Area. West of Broad Street, between Girard Avenue and Spring Garden Streets. | 1970s |
| Fairmount (R.D.A.) | Bounded by Girard Avenue, Broad Street, Spring Garden Street, and Pennsylvania Avenue | 1952-1968 |
| Falls of the Schuylkill | See East Falls | |
| Falls Village | See East Falls | |
| Far Northeast | East of Roosevelt Boulevard, north of Pennypack Creek. | 1970s |
| Feltonville | South of Roosevelt Boulevard in the vicinity of Wyoming Avenue. | 1855 |
| Fenian Hill | Section of Somerville in the vicinity of Church Lane and Limekiln Pike. | |
| Fernhill | Vicinity of Wissahickon and Wayne Avenues from Manheim Street to Roosevelt Boulevard. | 1980 |
| Fern Rock | Between Olney and Oak Lane. Northern terminus of Broad Street Subway. Named for the estate of Arctic explorer Elisha Kent Kane. | 1899 |
| Fisher's Hollow | Vicinity of Frankford's Mill Creek on the Delaware River, reached by Fisher's Lane. | |
| Fishtown | Along the Delaware River below Kensington. Legend has it that Charles Dickens named the neighborhood in 1842, but the use is primarily 20th century. | 1920 |
| Five Points | See Ashton | |
| Five Points | Vicinity of Castor and Oxford Avenues, northeast of Frankford. | 1855-1910 |
| Flat Iron | South of Devil's Pocket. | |
| Flat Rock | See Manayunk | |
| Forepaugh's Row | South of Stenton Avenue and Wister Street, on Laveer Street, built as part of the winter quarters for Forepaugh's circus. | late 19th century |
| Fox Chase | Southwest of Pennypack Park along Montgomery County border. Named for an inn whose sign depicted fox hunters. | 1843 |
| Fraleyville | Vicinity of Frankford near former arsenal where in 1816 Frederick Fraley began manufacturing small arms and ammunition. | 1843 |
| Francisville | Also known as Vineyard in 1808. South of Poplar Street and Ridge Avenue, where streets run perpendicular to Ridge. | 1843 |
| Frankford | West of Bridesburg and Wissinoming, east of Roosevelt Boulevard. Settled by Germans. | 17th century |
| Franklintown | Vine to Callowhill Streets in the vicinity of 17th Street. | 1980s |
| Franklinville | Vicinity of Erie Avenue to Westmoreland Street, between Broad Street and Sedgley Avenue. | 1888 |
| Franklinville | Vicinity of 3rd and Butler Streets. | |
| Franklinville | See Bebberstown. | |
| Frog Hollow | Site of Wister and Smith Mills, near Central High School. | |
| Gander Hill | West of Swampoodle. | |
| Garden Court | Locust Street to Hazel Avenue, 46th to 52nd Streets. Named after the Garden Court Apartment Building. | |
| Germantown | Originally encompassing all of Northwest Philadelphia, northeast of Wissahickon Avenue (Township Line Road). Currently applied to area bounded by East Falls, Mount Airy, West Oak Lane, and Logan. Original center of area was at Germantown Avenue and Church Lane. | 1683 |
| Germantown (R.D.A.) | Bounded on the north by SEPTA's R7 railroad line, on the northwest by Sedgwick Street, on the west of SEPTA's R8 railroad line, on the southwest by Rittenhouse Street & Wissahickon Avenue, on the south by Hansberry & Green Streets, on the southeast by Berkley Street, Germantown Avenue and SEPTA's R7 railroad line, and on the east by Wister, Belfield, Magnolia, Church and Magnolia Streets. | 1963 |
| Germany Hill | Western portion of Roxborough from Parker Avenue to Fountain Street, Ridge Avenue to Schuylkill River. | 1980 |
| Gillietown | Vicinity of 27th & Dauphin Streets. | |
| Girard Estate | Between Porter Street and Passyunk Avenue. Named after Stephen Girard whose South Philadelphia property was developed by the Board of City Trusts, trustee of the Girard Estate. | 1920s |
| Girard Point | Located at the mouth of the Schuylkill River, once known for massive grain elevators. | |
| Gladwyn | See Eastwick. | |
| Glen Willow | In Manayunk in the vicinity of The Blocks. | |
| Glenwood | Vicinity of North Philadelphia Station to York Street. | 1990 |
| Goat Hill | Germantown, east of Fenian Hill, in the vicinity of Somerville. | |
| Godfrey | Village near Chelten Avenue and Wister Street. See also East Germantown. | 1890s |
| Good Intent | Vicinity of 46th & Market Streets, site of the Good Intent Mills. | 1849 |
| Goosetown | Locust to Pine Streets, 17th to 20th Streets. | 1825-1850 |
| Grays Ferry | East bank of the Schuylkill River, between Point Breeze and South Street. | 1970s |
| Grays Ferry (R.D.A.) | Bounded by Washington Avenue, Grays Ferry Avenue, Peltz Street, Schuylkill River, Reed Street, 34th Street, Tasker Street, 32nd Street, and the rear property lines of the houses on the south side of Tasker, 31st, Tasker, 29th, Morris, 25th, Tasker, Taylor, Reed and 25th Streets. | 1968 |
| Green Hill | Northeast of Francisville, near 17th Street and Girard Avenue. | 1808-1849 |
| Greenland | Village on west bank of the Schuylkill River near Ford Road. | |
| Greenville | Vicinity of Powelton. | 1843 |
| Greenwich Island | Also known as Greenwich Point. Formerly Drufwe Island, Isle de Raisins, or Grape Island, the east end of which jutted into Delaware River. | 1843-1899 |
| Grubtown | Also known as Grubbstown. See Crescentville. | |
| Gunner's Run | See Aramingo. | |
| Haddington | North of Market Street between 65th & 70th Streets. | 1816 |
| Haddington (R.D.A.) | Bounded by Haverford Avenue, Girard Avenue, 52nd Street, Market Street and 63rd Street | 1961-1963 |
| Hamilton Village | Also known as Hamilton Ville, Hamiltonville. Schuylkill River at Market Street west to 36th Street, between Lancaster and Woodland Avenues. | 1809-1843 |
| Hamlet, The | Attempt to settle a village on Pell Hill farm, in the vicinity of Girard College. | 1811 |
| Harisville | On Old York Road above Rising Sun Avenue. | |
| Harper's Hollow | Vicinity of 18th Street and Olney Avenue. | |
| Harrisburg | Vicinity of Welsh and Ashton Roads. Started as a settlement for freed slaves. | 1843-1910 |
| Harrowgate. | Vicinity of Venango Street and Kensington Avenue, between Kensington and Frankford. Named after a 1780s health resort established there. | 1888 |
| Hartranft | Lehigh Avenue to Diamond Street, Broad to Fairhill Streets. | 1970s |
| Hartranft (R.D.A.) | Moyamensing Avenue, 20th Street, Pattison Avenue and Penrose Ferry Road | 1961 |
| Hatshop Hill | See Sunnycliff. | |
| Hawthorne | Between southwest Center City and Bella Vista. | 1970s |
| Heartsville | Vicinity of Frankford Avenue and Heart (now Hart) Lane, above Somerset Street. | 1843 |
| Hell's Kitchen | North of Arch Street, west of 3rd Street. | 1750 |
| Helltown | See Cedar Grove. | |
| Hestonville | Along Lancaster Avenue south of George's Hill, the country seat, ca. 1800, of the Heston family. | 1843 |
| High Rue | West of Roosevelt Boulevard, between Bustleton Avenue and Welsh Road. | 1980s |
| Hill, The | Also known as Hill Community. African American section of Roxborough between Roxborough and Monastery Avenues, west of Manayunk Avenue. | 1900 |
| Hitesville | See Jacksonville. | |
| Hollinsville | Village at intersection of Bristol turnpike and road from Tacony below Holmesburg. | 1843-1861 |
| Holme Circle | In the loop of Pennypack Creek at Holme Avenue and Welsh Road. | 1980s |
| Holmesburg | Below Pennypack Creek, approximately at Rhawn Street and Frankford Avenue. Named for Thomas Holme, William Penn's surveyor, who settled there. | 1843 |
| Hopkinsville | Vicinity of Haddington. | |
| Hunting Park | South of Roosevelt Boulevard, east of Germantown Avenue, north of SEPTA's R7 railroad line. | 1976 |
| Independence Mall (R.D.A.) | Race to Chestnut Streets between 4th & 7th Streets | 1961 |
| Irishtown | See Somerville | |
| Irish Tract | Vicinity of 18th & Wharton Streets | |
| Ivy Hill | Vicinity of Ivy Hill Cemetery, north of East Mount Airy. | 1980 |
| Jacksonville | Also known as Hitesville. South of Nicetown, vicinity of Germantown Avenue. | 1861 |
| Jewtown | Vicinity of Auburn and Weikel Streets, in Richmond. | 1870s-1940s |
| Juniata Park | Also known as Juniata. South of Frankford Creek at Hunting Park and north of SEPTA's R7 railroad line, between Feltonville and Richmond. | 1946 |
| Kelleyville | See Cowtown. | |
| Kenderton | Vicinity of Broad Street and Germantown Avenue. Named for Kenderton Smith, lawyer and landowner. | 1808-1861 |
| Kensington | From Delaware River to Front Street, where Kensington Avenue bears northeast. Named by Anthony Palmer, an English sea captain. | 1730 |
| Kingsessing | South of railroad tracks and Baltimore Avenue to Woodland Avenue, west to Cobbs Creek. From the Native term for "place where there is a meadow." | 1712 |
| King Village | Also known as Kings Village. Between Point Breeze and Grays Ferry. | 1980s |
| Kirkbridesburg | See Bridesburg. | |
| Knightsville | On Byberry-Bensalem turnpike at Moreland Road. Named for Leonard and Judge Jonathan T. Knight. | 1843 |
| Knorr | Vicinity of Oxford Avenue and Martins' Mill Road. | 1843 |
| Kriesheim | See Cresheim. | |
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Last updated on 20 May 1998
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