Tacony: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 02:03, 24 December 2025

Tacony

Type	Neighborhood
Location	Northeast Philadelphia
ZIP code(s)	19135
Named for	Lenape word (meaning varies by interpretation)
Boundaries	Roughly Cottman Avenue to Pennypack Creek, Delaware River to Frankford Avenue
Adjacent	Holmesburg, Mayfair, Bridesburg
Major streets	Torresdale Avenue, Cottman Avenue, State Road
Transit	SEPTA Regional Rail (Tacony Station), bus routes
Landmarks	Tacony-Palmyra Bridge, Disston Saw Works site

Tacony is a neighborhood in Northeast Philadelphia along the Delaware River, historically significant as an industrial company town built around the Disston Saw Works. The neighborhood retains its working-class character and offers riverfront access via the Tacony-Palmyra Bridge to New Jersey.

History

Disston Saw Works

Tacony's identity was shaped by Henry Disston, who established his saw manufacturing company here in 1872:

Built company town for workers
Housing, stores, and facilities for employees
One of the world's largest saw manufacturers
Factory closed 1955
Site now Tacony industrial park

Company Town Legacy

Workers' rowhouses still standing
Grid street pattern from company planning
Historic architecture from industrial era
Strong neighborhood identity

Tacony-Palmyra Bridge

The Tacony-Palmyra Bridge connects Philadelphia to New Jersey:

Opened 1929
Toll bridge to Palmyra, NJ
Alternative to Betsy Ross Bridge
Delaware River crossing

Character

Housing

Brick rowhouses (many from Disston era)
Working-class homes
Well-maintained properties
Affordable prices

Community

Working-class families
Strong neighborhood identity
Longtime residents
Pride in industrial heritage

Commercial Area

Torresdale Avenue

Traditional commercial strip
Local businesses and services
Historic storefronts
Neighborhood character

Living in Tacony

Affordable rowhouses
Historic character
Delaware River access
Regional Rail service
Bridge to New Jersey

Getting There

SEPTA Regional Rail: Tacony Station (Trenton Line)
SEPTA buses: 58, 84
Tacony-Palmyra Bridge: To New Jersey

Frequently Asked Questions

Template:FAQ

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 * [[Bridesburg]]
 * [[Northeast Philadelphia]]
+== Frequently Asked Questions ==
+{{FAQ
+|q1=What does Tacony mean?
+|a1=Tacony is believed to derive from a Lenape word, though the exact meaning is disputed. Some interpretations suggest it meant "forest" or "wilderness," while others connect it to the Tacony Creek. The name predates European settlement and was used for the creek and surrounding area.
+|q2=What was the Disston Saw Works?
+|a2=The Disston Saw Works was a saw and tool manufacturing company founded by Henry Disston that dominated Tacony from 1872 to 1955. Disston built the neighborhood as a company town, providing housing, stores, and amenities for workers. At its peak, it was one of the world's largest saw manufacturers, employing thousands.
+|q3=Where does the Tacony-Palmyra Bridge go?
+|a3=The Tacony-Palmyra Bridge connects Philadelphia to Palmyra, New Jersey, crossing the Delaware River. Opened in 1929, it's a toll bridge that provides an alternative crossing to the Betsy Ross Bridge (to the south) and the Burlington-Bristol Bridge (to the north).
+|q4=Can you take the train to Tacony?
+|a4=Yes, SEPTA's Regional Rail Trenton Line stops at Tacony Station, providing service to Center City Philadelphia (30th Street, Suburban, Jefferson stations) and to Trenton, New Jersey. This makes Tacony one of the better-connected neighborhoods in Northeast Philadelphia.
+}}
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