Tacony
Tacony
| Type | Neighborhood |
|---|---|
| Location | Northeast Philadelphia |
| ZIP code(s) | 19135 |
| Named for | Lenape word (meaning varies by interpretation) |
| Boundaries | Roughly Cottman Avenue to Pennypack Creek, Delaware River to Frankford Avenue |
| Adjacent | Holmesburg, Mayfair, Bridesburg |
| Major streets | Torresdale Avenue, Cottman Avenue, State Road |
| Transit | SEPTA Regional Rail (Tacony Station), bus routes |
| Landmarks | Tacony-Palmyra Bridge, Disston Saw Works site |
Tacony is a neighborhood in Northeast Philadelphia along the Delaware River, historically significant as an industrial company town built around the Disston Saw Works. The neighborhood retains its working-class character and offers riverfront access via the Tacony-Palmyra Bridge to New Jersey.
History
[edit | edit source]Disston Saw Works
[edit | edit source]Tacony's identity was shaped by Henry Disston, who established his saw manufacturing company here in 1872:
- Built company town for workers
- Housing, stores, and facilities for employees
- One of the world's largest saw manufacturers
- Factory closed 1955
- Site now Tacony industrial park
Company Town Legacy
[edit | edit source]- Workers' rowhouses still standing
- Grid street pattern from company planning
- Historic architecture from industrial era
- Strong neighborhood identity
Tacony-Palmyra Bridge
[edit | edit source]The Tacony-Palmyra Bridge connects Philadelphia to New Jersey:
- Opened 1929
- Toll bridge to Palmyra, NJ
- Alternative to Betsy Ross Bridge
- Delaware River crossing
Character
[edit | edit source]Housing
[edit | edit source]- Brick rowhouses (many from Disston era)
- Working-class homes
- Well-maintained properties
- Affordable prices
Community
[edit | edit source]- Working-class families
- Strong neighborhood identity
- Longtime residents
- Pride in industrial heritage
Commercial Area
[edit | edit source]Torresdale Avenue
[edit | edit source]- Traditional commercial strip
- Local businesses and services
- Historic storefronts
- Neighborhood character
Living in Tacony
[edit | edit source]- Affordable rowhouses
- Historic character
- Delaware River access
- Regional Rail service
- Bridge to New Jersey
Getting There
[edit | edit source]- SEPTA Regional Rail: Tacony Station (Trenton Line)
- SEPTA buses: 58, 84
- Tacony-Palmyra Bridge: To New Jersey