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{{Infobox Neighborhood
{{Infobox Park
| name = McPherson Square
| name = McPherson Square
| type = Neighborhood
| image =
| location = Kensington / North Philadelphia
| image_caption = McPherson Square in Kensington
| zip_codes = 19134
| type = Neighborhood square
| named_for = McPherson Square park
| location = Kensington
| boundaries = Roughly Lehigh Avenue to Indiana Avenue, Front Street to Frankford Avenue
| coordinates = 40.0110,-75.1320
| adjacent_neighborhoods = [[Kensington]], [[Harrowgate]], [[Port Richmond]]
| area = 3 acres
| major_streets = Kensington Avenue, Indiana Avenue, E Street
| established = 1849
| transit = Market-Frankford Line (nearby), SEPTA bus routes
| operated_by = Philadelphia Parks & Recreation
| notable_landmarks = McPherson Square park, near opioid crisis epicenter
| features = Library, recreation center, playground, community space
| hours = Dawn to dusk
| transit = SEPTA bus routes; near McPherson Square Library
| website = https://www.phila.gov/parks-rec-finder
}}
}}


'''McPherson Square''' is a neighborhood in the [[Kensington]] area of Philadelphia, named for the park at its center. The neighborhood has been significantly impacted by the opioid crisis that has devastated the broader Kensington area.
'''McPherson Square''' is a 3-acre neighborhood square in [[Kensington]], anchoring the community around the historic '''McPherson Square Library''' branch. Named for General James McPherson, a Civil War hero, the square has served as a community gathering space since 1849 and remains an important neighborhood resource despite the challenges facing Kensington.<ref name="mcpherson">{{cite web |url=https://www.phila.gov/parks-rec-finder/#/locationDetails/2998 |title=McPherson Square |publisher=Philadelphia Parks & Recreation |access-date=December 30, 2025}}</ref>


== McPherson Square Park ==
The square and library together form the civic heart of Kensington.


'''McPherson Square''' is a small public park:
== History ==
* Neighborhood green space
* Historic park
* Community efforts to maintain
* Impacted by surrounding conditions


== Opioid Crisis ==
=== Founding ===


McPherson Square has been at the epicenter of Philadelphia's opioid crisis:
McPherson Square established '''1849''':
* Open-air drug markets nearby
* Part of Kensington grid development
* Homeless encampments
* Industrial neighborhood center
* Overdose deaths
* Named for Major General James B. McPherson
* Public health emergency
* Civil War Union general killed in 1864
* City intervention efforts
* Community trauma


== Character ==
=== Industrial Era ===


=== Housing ===
The square served:
* Rowhouses
* Factory workers' green space
* Significant vacancies
* Community gathering point
* Mixed conditions
* Site of neighborhood events
* Very affordable
* Library added in 1906
* Abandoned properties


=== Challenges ===
=== McPherson Square Library (1906) ===
 
'''Carnegie Library branch:'''
* Designed by Whitfield & King
* Classical Revival architecture
* Gift of Andrew Carnegie
* Continuous library service since opening
 
=== Modern Challenges ===
 
The area has faced:
* Industrial decline
* Economic challenges
* Opioid crisis impact
* Opioid crisis impact
* Crime
* Community resilience efforts
* Poverty
 
* Property abandonment
== Features ==
* Limited services
 
=== McPherson Square Library ===
 
'''Free Library of Philadelphia branch:'''
* Carnegie-era building (1906)
* Historic architecture
* Community programs
* Children's services
* Computer access
* One of Philadelphia's most active branches
 
=== Recreation Facilities ===


=== Community ===
* Playground
* Longtime residents persevering
* Basketball courts
* Community organizations
* Open lawn
* Harm reduction services
* Seating areas
* Neighborhood improvement efforts


== Living in McPherson Square ==
=== Community Space ===


* Severe challenges present
* Neighborhood gatherings
* Very affordable housing
* Events and programs
* Community struggles
* Community organizing center
* Near transit
* Historic gathering point


== Getting There ==
== Using the Square ==


* '''Market-Frankford Line:''' Nearby stations
=== Library Services ===
* '''SEPTA buses:''' 3, 60
 
* '''Kensington Avenue:''' Main corridor
McPherson Square Library offers:
* Books and media lending
* Children's programming
* Teen programs
* Adult education
* Computer access
* Community space
 
=== Recreation ===
 
* Playground for children
* Basketball
* Open play
* Passive recreation
 
== Visiting ==
 
=== Hours ===
 
* Park: Dawn to dusk
* Library: Check Free Library of Philadelphia for hours
 
=== Getting There ===
 
'''Location:''' E Street and Indiana Avenue, Kensington
 
'''By Public Transit:'''
* SEPTA Bus 3, 39, 60
* Walk from Allegheny or Huntingdon stations
 
'''By Car:'''
* Street parking
* In Kensington neighborhood
 
=== Tips ===
 
* The library is excellent and worth visiting
* The neighborhood faces challenges—be aware of surroundings
* Community events and outreach programs are active
* Support local businesses
 
== Community Context ==
 
=== Kensington ===
 
McPherson Square sits in historic Kensington:
* Former industrial powerhouse
* Working-class heritage
* Strong community identity
* Facing economic and social challenges
* Active community organizations
 
=== Resilience ===
 
Community efforts include:
* Library programming
* Neighborhood cleanup initiatives
* Youth programs
* Recovery services
* Community organizing
 
== Nearby ==
 
* '''[[Kensington]]''' — Surrounding neighborhood
* '''[[Norris Square]]''' — Nearby park
* '''[[Fairhill Square]]''' — Nearby park
* '''[[North Philadelphia]]''' — Area


== See Also ==
== See Also ==


* [[Kensington]]
* [[Kensington]]
* [[Harrowgate]]
* [[Free Library of Philadelphia]]
* [[North Philadelphia]]
* [[Philadelphia Squares]]
* [[Norris Square]]
 
== References ==
<references />
 
== External Links ==
 
* [https://www.phila.gov/parks-rec-finder Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Finder]
* [https://www.freelibrary.org/locations/mcpherson-square-library McPherson Square Library]


{{#seo:
{{#seo:
|title=McPherson Square Philadelphia - Kensington Area Neighborhood
|title=McPherson Square Philadelphia - Kensington Park & Carnegie Library
|description=Guide to McPherson Square, a Kensington-area neighborhood significantly impacted by Philadelphia's opioid crisis.
|description=Guide to McPherson Square in Kensington. Historic Carnegie library, playground, and neighborhood square since 1849. Community center of Kensington.
|keywords=McPherson Square Philadelphia, Kensington, opioid crisis, North Philadelphia
|keywords=McPherson Square Philadelphia, Kensington parks, McPherson Square Library, Carnegie libraries Philadelphia, North Philadelphia parks
|type=Place
|type=Article
}}
}}


[[Category:Neighborhoods]]
[[Category:Parks]]
[[Category:Kensington]]
[[Category:Kensington]]
[[Category:North Philadelphia]]
[[Category:Historic Sites]]
[[Category:Philadelphia Squares]]
[[Category:Libraries]]

Latest revision as of 20:50, 30 December 2025

McPherson Square
Type Neighborhood square
Location Kensington
Coordinates 40.0110,-75.1320
Area 3 acres
Established 1849
Operated by Philadelphia Parks & Recreation
Features Library, recreation center, playground, community space
Hours Dawn to dusk
Transit SEPTA bus routes; near McPherson Square Library
Website Official Site

McPherson Square is a 3-acre neighborhood square in Kensington, anchoring the community around the historic McPherson Square Library branch. Named for General James McPherson, a Civil War hero, the square has served as a community gathering space since 1849 and remains an important neighborhood resource despite the challenges facing Kensington.[1]

The square and library together form the civic heart of Kensington.

History

[edit | edit source]

Founding

[edit | edit source]

McPherson Square established 1849:

  • Part of Kensington grid development
  • Industrial neighborhood center
  • Named for Major General James B. McPherson
  • Civil War Union general killed in 1864

Industrial Era

[edit | edit source]

The square served:

  • Factory workers' green space
  • Community gathering point
  • Site of neighborhood events
  • Library added in 1906

McPherson Square Library (1906)

[edit | edit source]

Carnegie Library branch:

  • Designed by Whitfield & King
  • Classical Revival architecture
  • Gift of Andrew Carnegie
  • Continuous library service since opening

Modern Challenges

[edit | edit source]

The area has faced:

  • Industrial decline
  • Economic challenges
  • Opioid crisis impact
  • Community resilience efforts

Features

[edit | edit source]

McPherson Square Library

[edit | edit source]

Free Library of Philadelphia branch:

  • Carnegie-era building (1906)
  • Historic architecture
  • Community programs
  • Children's services
  • Computer access
  • One of Philadelphia's most active branches

Recreation Facilities

[edit | edit source]
  • Playground
  • Basketball courts
  • Open lawn
  • Seating areas

Community Space

[edit | edit source]
  • Neighborhood gatherings
  • Events and programs
  • Community organizing center
  • Historic gathering point

Using the Square

[edit | edit source]

Library Services

[edit | edit source]

McPherson Square Library offers:

  • Books and media lending
  • Children's programming
  • Teen programs
  • Adult education
  • Computer access
  • Community space

Recreation

[edit | edit source]
  • Playground for children
  • Basketball
  • Open play
  • Passive recreation

Visiting

[edit | edit source]

Hours

[edit | edit source]
  • Park: Dawn to dusk
  • Library: Check Free Library of Philadelphia for hours

Getting There

[edit | edit source]

Location: E Street and Indiana Avenue, Kensington

By Public Transit:

  • SEPTA Bus 3, 39, 60
  • Walk from Allegheny or Huntingdon stations

By Car:

  • Street parking
  • In Kensington neighborhood

Tips

[edit | edit source]
  • The library is excellent and worth visiting
  • The neighborhood faces challenges—be aware of surroundings
  • Community events and outreach programs are active
  • Support local businesses

Community Context

[edit | edit source]

Kensington

[edit | edit source]

McPherson Square sits in historic Kensington:

  • Former industrial powerhouse
  • Working-class heritage
  • Strong community identity
  • Facing economic and social challenges
  • Active community organizations

Resilience

[edit | edit source]

Community efforts include:

  • Library programming
  • Neighborhood cleanup initiatives
  • Youth programs
  • Recovery services
  • Community organizing

Nearby

[edit | edit source]

See Also

[edit | edit source]

References

[edit | edit source]
  1. ↑ "McPherson Square". Philadelphia Parks & Recreation. Retrieved December 30, 2025
[edit | edit source]
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