Jump to content

McPherson Square: Difference between revisions

From Philadelphia.Wiki
← Older editNewer edit →
VisualWikitext
Gritty (talk | contribs)
1,361 edits
Automated upload via Philadelphia.Wiki content pipeline
Gritty (talk | contribs)
1,361 edits
Automated upload via Philadelphia.Wiki content pipeline
Tag: Manual revert
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Infobox Park
{{Infobox Neighborhood
| name = McPherson Square
| name = McPherson Square
| image =
| type = Neighborhood
| image_caption = McPherson Square in Kensington
| location = Kensington / North Philadelphia
| type = Neighborhood square
| zip_codes = 19134
| location = Kensington
| named_for = McPherson Square park
| coordinates = 40.0110,-75.1320
| boundaries = Roughly Lehigh Avenue to Indiana Avenue, Front Street to Frankford Avenue
| area = 3 acres
| adjacent_neighborhoods = [[Kensington]], [[Harrowgate]], [[Port Richmond]]
| established = 1849
| major_streets = Kensington Avenue, Indiana Avenue, E Street
| operated_by = Philadelphia Parks & Recreation
| transit = Market-Frankford Line (nearby), SEPTA bus routes
| features = Library, recreation center, playground, community space
| notable_landmarks = McPherson Square park, near opioid crisis epicenter
| hours = Dawn to dusk
| transit = SEPTA bus routes; near McPherson Square Library
| website = https://www.phila.gov/parks-rec-finder
}}
}}


'''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''' 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.


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


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


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


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


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


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


=== McPherson Square Library (1906) ===
=== Challenges ===
 
'''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
* Community resilience efforts
* Crime
 
* Poverty
== Features ==
* Property abandonment
 
* 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 ===


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


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


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


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


=== Library Services ===
* '''Market-Frankford Line:''' Nearby stations
 
* '''SEPTA buses:''' 3, 60
McPherson Square Library offers:
* '''Kensington Avenue:''' Main corridor
* 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]]
* [[Free Library of Philadelphia]]
* [[Harrowgate]]
* [[Philadelphia Squares]]
* [[North Philadelphia]]
* [[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 Park & Carnegie Library
|title=McPherson Square Philadelphia - Kensington Area Neighborhood
|description=Guide to McPherson Square in Kensington. Historic Carnegie library, playground, and neighborhood square since 1849. Community center of Kensington.
|description=Guide to McPherson Square, a Kensington-area neighborhood significantly impacted by Philadelphia's opioid crisis.
|keywords=McPherson Square Philadelphia, Kensington parks, McPherson Square Library, Carnegie libraries Philadelphia, North Philadelphia parks
|keywords=McPherson Square Philadelphia, Kensington, opioid crisis, North Philadelphia
|type=Article
|type=Article
}}
}}


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

Revision as of 20:25, 30 December 2025

McPherson Square
TypeNeighborhood
LocationKensington / North Philadelphia
ZIP code(s)19134
Named forMcPherson Square park
BoundariesRoughly Lehigh Avenue to Indiana Avenue, Front Street to Frankford Avenue
AdjacentKensington, Harrowgate, Port Richmond
Major streetsKensington Avenue, Indiana Avenue, E Street
TransitMarket-Frankford Line (nearby), SEPTA bus routes
LandmarksMcPherson Square park, near opioid crisis epicenter

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 Park

McPherson Square is a small public park:

  • Neighborhood green space
  • Historic park
  • Community efforts to maintain
  • Impacted by surrounding conditions

Opioid Crisis

McPherson Square has been at the epicenter of Philadelphia's opioid crisis:

  • Open-air drug markets nearby
  • Homeless encampments
  • Overdose deaths
  • Public health emergency
  • City intervention efforts
  • Community trauma

Character

Housing

  • Rowhouses
  • Significant vacancies
  • Mixed conditions
  • Very affordable
  • Abandoned properties

Challenges

  • Opioid crisis impact
  • Crime
  • Poverty
  • Property abandonment
  • Limited services

Community

  • Longtime residents persevering
  • Community organizations
  • Harm reduction services
  • Neighborhood improvement efforts

Living in McPherson Square

  • Severe challenges present
  • Very affordable housing
  • Community struggles
  • Near transit

Getting There

  • Market-Frankford Line: Nearby stations
  • SEPTA buses: 3, 60
  • Kensington Avenue: Main corridor

See Also

Retrieved from "https://philadelphia.wiki/index.php?title=McPherson_Square&oldid=885"