Spring Garden

Spring Garden

Type	Neighborhood
Location	North Philadelphia / Center City border
ZIP code(s)	19123, 19130
Named for	Spring Garden Street
Boundaries	North: Girard Avenue, South: Vine Street, East: 6th Street, West: Broad Street
Adjacent	Northern Liberties, Fairmount, Callowhill, Logan Square
Major streets	Spring Garden Street, 13th Street, Broad Street
Transit	Broad Street Line (Spring Garden Station), Market-Frankford Line (Spring Garden Station)
Landmarks	Eastern State Penitentiary, Spring Garden Street Bridge

Spring Garden is a neighborhood on the northern edge of Center City, Philadelphia, featuring a mix of Victorian architecture and modern development. The neighborhood is named for Spring Garden Street, one of Philadelphia's major crosstown thoroughfares. Eastern State Penitentiary, the historic prison-turned-museum, anchors the neighborhood's western end.

History

Development

Spring Garden developed in the mid-19th century as Philadelphia expanded northward. The area was incorporated as a separate district before consolidation with Philadelphia in 1854. Victorian rowhouses lined the streets, home to middle-class and working-class families.

Modern Era

Spring Garden has experienced significant change:

• Redevelopment along Spring Garden Street
• New apartment construction
• Conversion of industrial buildings
• Rising property values

Eastern State Penitentiary

Eastern State Penitentiary is Spring Garden's most famous landmark:

• Operated as prison 1829-1971
• Now a museum and historic site
• Famous inmates included Al Capone
• Terror Behind the Walls Halloween attraction
• National Historic Landmark

Character

Architecture

• Victorian rowhouses
• Some brownstones
• New apartment buildings
• Industrial conversions
• Mix of historic and modern

Atmosphere

• Urban residential
• Close to Center City
• Near cultural institutions
• Transit accessible

Living in Spring Garden

Housing

• Rowhouses (historic)
• Modern apartment buildings
• Converted lofts
• Range of price points

Demographics

• Young professionals
• Students
• Downtown workers
• Mix of incomes

Getting There

Public Transit

• Broad Street Line (The B): Spring Garden Station
• Market-Frankford Line (The L): Spring Garden Station
• SEPTA Bus Routes: 2, 4, 7, 32, 43, 48

The neighborhood's transit access is excellent with both subway lines.

Location

• Walking distance to Center City
• Adjacent to Northern Liberties
• Near Fairmount Park

See Also

• Eastern State Penitentiary
• Fairmount
• Northern Liberties
• Callowhill
• Logan Square