Oak Lane
Oak Lane
| Type | Neighborhood |
|---|---|
| Location | Northwest Philadelphia / North Philadelphia |
| ZIP code(s) | 19126, 19138, 19141 |
| Named for | Oak Lane Road (historic) |
| Boundaries | Roughly Cheltenham Avenue to 65th Avenue, Broad Street to Stenton Avenue |
| Adjacent | Olney, Cedarbrook, Logan, Cheltenham Township |
| Major streets | Broad Street, Oak Lane, Cheltenham Avenue |
| Transit | Broad Street Line (Olney Terminal nearby), Regional Rail (Fern Rock) |
| Landmarks | Historic Oak Lane area, near Einstein Medical Center |
Oak Lane refers to neighborhoods on Philadelphia's northern border, sometimes distinguished as East Oak Lane and West Oak Lane. The area developed in the early 20th century and features a mix of housing types and demographics.
East Oak Lane vs. West Oak Lane
[edit | edit source]East Oak Lane
[edit | edit source]- East of Broad Street
- Mix of housing types
- More diverse
- Working-class to middle-class
West Oak Lane
[edit | edit source]- West of Broad Street
- Larger homes in some areas
- Historic architecture
- African-American middle-class community
History
[edit | edit source]Oak Lane developed in the early 20th century as Philadelphia expanded northward. The area attracted middle-class families seeking single-family homes. West Oak Lane in particular became home to an African-American professional class in the mid-20th century.
Character
[edit | edit source]Housing
[edit | edit source]- Mix of rowhouses and singles
- Stone houses in West Oak Lane
- Victorian and early 20th-century architecture
- Larger lots than inner city
Demographics
[edit | edit source]- African-American community (predominant)
- Middle-class homeowners
- Working-class areas
- Longtime residents
Living in Oak Lane
[edit | edit source]- Mix of housing options
- Near transit
- Established community
- Near city boundary
Getting There
[edit | edit source]- Broad Street Line: Olney Transportation Center (nearby)
- SEPTA Regional Rail: Fern Rock Station
- SEPTA buses: Multiple routes