Powelton Village

Powelton Village

Type	Neighborhood
Location	West Philadelphia
ZIP code(s)	19104
Established	Mid-1800s
Boundaries	North: Spring Garden Street, South: Market Street, East: 32nd Street, West: 40th Street
Adjacent	University City, Mantua, Spring Garden
Major streets	Lancaster Avenue, Powelton Avenue, 34th Street
Transit	Market-Frankford Line (34th Street Station), SEPTA trolleys
Landmarks	Victorian architecture, Drexel University campus edge

Powelton Village is a neighborhood in West Philadelphia known for its Victorian architecture and counterculture history. The neighborhood borders Drexel University and has a distinctive character mixing students, longtime residents, and community activists. Powelton Village's tree-lined streets and historic homes give it a different feel from the institutional development of adjacent University City.

History

Victorian Development

Powelton Village developed in the mid-19th century as a prosperous residential neighborhood. Wealthy Philadelphians built large Victorian homes along tree-lined streets, creating a suburban retreat from Center City.

Counterculture Era

In the 1960s and 1970s, Powelton Village became known as a center of counterculture and political activism. The neighborhood attracted artists, activists, and alternative communities.

MOVE Confrontation

Powelton Village was the site of the 1978 confrontation with MOVE, a radical organization. Police surrounded the MOVE house for over a year, culminating in a violent standoff that killed a police officer.

Modern Era

Today, Powelton Village is:

• Mix of students and longtime residents
• Strong community organization
• Preserved Victorian architecture
• Resistance to university expansion

Character

Architecture

• Large Victorian houses
• Ornate details
• Front porches
• Tree-lined streets
• Some converted to apartments

Community

• Active civic association
• Community gardens
• Neighborhood events
• Progressive politics

Living in Powelton Village

Housing

• Victorian singles and twins
• Some apartment conversions
• Mix of rentals and owner-occupied
• Student housing presence

Demographics

• University students
• Long-term residents
• Faculty and staff
• Mixed incomes

Getting There

Public Transit

• Market-Frankford Line (The L): 34th Street Station
• SEPTA Trolleys: Routes 10, 11, 13, 34, 36
• Bus Routes: 30, 31, 40

See Also

• University City
• Mantua
• West Philadelphia
• Drexel University