South Philadelphia

South Philadelphia

Type	Region
Location	Philadelphia
ZIP code(s)	19145, 19146, 19147, 19148
Boundaries	North: South Street, South: City limits, East: Delaware River, West: Schuylkill River
Adjacent	Center City, West Philadelphia
Major streets	Broad Street, Passyunk Avenue, Oregon Avenue, Snyder Avenue
Transit	Broad Street Line, SEPTA bus routes
Landmarks	Italian Market, Pat's King of Steaks, Geno's Steaks, Citizens Bank Park, Lincoln Financial Field

South Philadelphia, commonly called South Philly, is a region of Philadelphia located south of South Street. You'll find it known for its distinctive Italian-American heritage, iconic food scene (particularly cheesesteaks), and passionate sports culture. Home to the Italian Market, the nation's oldest outdoor market, and the city's major sports venues—Citizens Bank Park and Lincoln Financial Field—South Philadelphia sits at the heart of the city's identity.

Numerous distinct neighborhoods make up the region. Each has its own personality, from the historic rowhouses of Queen Village to the modern sports complex sitting in the far south.

History

Swedish colonists were the earliest European inhabitants who settled South Philadelphia in the 17th century, establishing communities along the Delaware River before William Penn arrived. The area stayed mostly rural through the mid-19th century.

Immigration Waves

Successive waves of immigration shaped what South Philadelphia became:

Irish Immigration (1840s-1880s): The Great Famine sent Irish immigrants fleeing to areas like Pennsport. They established the neighborhood's working-class identity and built communities that'd last for generations.

Italian Immigration (1880s-1920s): This was the largest wave. Italian immigrants arrived and created the Italian Market, transforming South Philadelphia into "Little Italy." That heritage didn't fade. Italian-American culture remains deeply embedded in the neighborhood today.

Eastern European Immigration: Jewish and Polish immigrants settled in parts of South Philadelphia. They built their own communities alongside the Italian residents.

African American Migration: The Great Migration brought African Americans to South Philadelphia, particularly in western sections during the early-to-mid 20th century.

Sports History

South Philadelphia has been Philadelphia's sports center for over a century:

• Baker Bowl (1887-1938) - Home of the Phillies
• Shibe Park/Connie Mack Stadium (1909-1970) - Home to the A's and Phillies
• JFK Stadium (1926-1992) - Site of the 1985 Live Aid concert
• Veterans Stadium (1971-2003) - Multi-purpose stadium
• Current Complex (2003-present) - Citizens Bank Park, Lincoln Financial Field, Wells Fargo Center

Neighborhoods

The region contains numerous distinct neighborhoods spread across its boundaries.

Core Neighborhoods

• Passyunk Square - Centered on East Passyunk Avenue, this area's known for acclaimed restaurants
• Bella Vista - Italian-American neighborhood home to the Italian Market
• Queen Village - Historic neighborhood with Swedish colonial roots
• Pennsport - Historic Irish-American neighborhood

Other Neighborhoods

• Point Breeze - Transitional neighborhood experiencing revitalization
• Grays Ferry - Working-class neighborhood along the Schuylkill
• Whitman - Named for poet Walt Whitman
• Girard Estates - Planned early 20th-century community
• Packer Park - Residential area near sports complex

Southwest Philadelphia

• Eastwick - Site of major urban renewal
• Elmwood - Working-class residential area
• Kingsessing - One of the oldest settlements in the region

Food and Culture

Cheesesteaks

The cheesesteak was born in South Philadelphia. Pat's King of Steaks invented it in 1930 at 9th and Passyunk. Then Geno's Steaks opened across the street in 1966, and that's when things got really interesting. The two shops created the city's most famous culinary rivalry, one that's still going strong today.

Italian Market

The Italian Market on 9th Street is America's oldest continuous outdoor market. You'll find produce vendors, butcher shops, cheese stores, and specialty food sellers all packed together on this historic street. It's less exclusively Italian these days, that's true. Still, it retains its character and remains essential to South Philadelphia's identity.

East Passyunk

East Passyunk Avenue has become one of Philadelphia's premier dining corridors. Acclaimed restaurants including Laurel and Will BYOB operate here, alongside numerous other chef-driven establishments that've put the avenue on the culinary map.

Sports

All major Philadelphia professional teams play in South Philadelphia's sports complex:

• Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia Phillies (MLB)
• Lincoln Financial Field - Philadelphia Eagles (NFL)
• Wells Fargo Center - Philadelphia 76ers (NBA), Philadelphia Flyers (NHL)

Getting to the complex is easy. The Broad Street Line (NRG/Pattison Station) connects directly to it, and major highways do as well.

Getting There

Public Transit

• Broad Street Line (The B): Stations at Snyder, Oregon, Pattison (Sports Complex)
• SEPTA Bus Routes: 2, 7, 17, 23, 29, 45, 47, 68, and others
• SEPTA Trolleys: Route 15 (Girard Avenue) terminates at 63rd Street

Driving

Several major routes run through the area:

• I-76 (Schuylkill Expressway)
• I-95 along the Delaware River
• Broad Street running north-south through the center

See Also

• Italian Market
• Cheesesteak
• Pat's King of Steaks
• Geno's Steaks
• Passyunk Square
• Philadelphia Eagles
• Philadelphia Phillies