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

See Also

• Tacony
• Mayfair
• Torresdale
• Northeast Philadelphia