Holmesburg
Holmesburg
| Type | Neighborhood |
|---|---|
| Location | Northeast Philadelphia |
| ZIP code(s) | 19136 |
| Named for | Thomas Holme, William Penn's surveyor |
| Boundaries | Roughly Pennypack Creek to Rhawn Street, State Road to Frankford Avenue |
| Adjacent | Tacony, Mayfair, Torresdale |
| Major streets | Frankford Avenue, Torresdale Avenue, Rhawn Street |
| Transit | SEPTA Regional Rail (Holmesburg Junction), bus routes |
| Landmarks | Holmesburg Prison (closed), Pennypack Park access |
Holmesburg is a neighborhood in Northeast Philadelphia named for Thomas Holme, who served as surveyor general for William Penn and laid out the original plan for Philadelphia. The neighborhood is known for its access to Pennypack Park and the former Holmesburg Prison.
History
Holmesburg is one of the older settlements in what became Northeast Philadelphia, with origins predating the city's 1854 consolidation. The area developed around Pennypack Creek and retained a semi-rural character until 20th-century residential development.
Holmesburg Prison
Holmesburg Prison operated from 1896 to 1995:
- Notorious for harsh conditions
- Site of controversial medical experiments (1950s-70s)
- Closed 1995
- Buildings remain standing
- Subject of ongoing discussions about reuse
Pennypack Park
Holmesburg provides access to Pennypack Park:
- One of Philadelphia's largest parks
- Trails along Pennypack Creek
- Natural areas and wildlife
- Connects multiple Northeast neighborhoods
Character
Housing
- Single-family homes
- Mix of older and newer construction
- Tree-lined streets
- Moderate prices
Community
- Working-class and middle-class families
- Longtime residents
- Neighborhood stability
- Active civic groups
Living in Holmesburg
- Affordable housing
- Park access
- Regional Rail station
- Neighborhood feel
Getting There
- SEPTA Regional Rail: Holmesburg Junction Station (West Trenton Line)
- SEPTA buses: 58, 84
- I-95: Accessible via State Road