Logan Square
| Type | Neighborhood |
|---|---|
| Location | Center City |
| ZIP code(s) | 19103, 19130 |
| Established | 1825 (square renamed) |
| Named for | James Logan, William Penn's secretary |
| Boundaries | North: Fairmount Avenue, South: Market Street/JFK Boulevard, East: 18th Street, West: Schuylkill River |
| Adjacent | Fairmount, Spring Garden, Penn Center, Rittenhouse Square |
| Major streets | Benjamin Franklin Parkway, 20th Street, Arch Street |
| Transit | Broad Street Line (Race-Vine Station), SEPTA buses |
| Landmarks | Philadelphia Museum of Art, Rodin Museum, Barnes Foundation, Logan Circle |
Logan Square is a neighborhood in northwest Center City, Philadelphia, anchored by Logan Circle (still commonly called Logan Square) and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway museum district. The neighborhood is home to Philadelphia's greatest concentration of cultural institutions, including the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Barnes Foundation, the Rodin Museum, and the Franklin Institute.[1]
Logan Circle, one of William Penn's original five public squares, features the famous Swann Memorial Fountain at its center.
History
[edit | edit source]William Penn's Plan
[edit | edit source]Logan Square was designated as Northwest Square in William Penn's 1682 plan for Philadelphia. It was renamed in 1825 to honor James Logan (1674-1751), Penn's secretary and one of colonial Pennsylvania's leading intellectuals.
The Parkway
[edit | edit source]The Benjamin Franklin Parkway, completed in 1926, transformed Logan Square. Modeled on the Champs-Élysées in Paris, the diagonal boulevard cut through the grid and created the museum district that defines the neighborhood today.
Modern Development
[edit | edit source]Logan Square has experienced significant high-rise residential development since the 2000s, adding apartment towers to the traditionally institutional district.
Logan Circle
[edit | edit source]Logan Circle (the name was changed from "Square" when the park was redesigned as a traffic circle) is one of William Penn's original five squares:
Swann Memorial Fountain
[edit | edit source]The Swann Memorial Fountain (1924), designed by Alexander Stirling Calder, features:
- Three Native American figures representing Philadelphia's rivers
- The Schuylkill River (mature male)
- The Delaware River (mature female)
- The Wissahickon Creek (young female)
- Dramatic water jets
The fountain is one of Philadelphia's most photographed landmarks.
Cathedral Basilica
[edit | edit source]The Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul dominates one side of Logan Circle:
- Seat of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia
- Largest Catholic church in Pennsylvania
- Renaissance Revival architecture
- Open for tours
Benjamin Franklin Parkway
[edit | edit source]The Benjamin Franklin Parkway runs from City Hall to the Philadelphia Museum of Art:
Museums and Cultural Institutions
[edit | edit source]- Philadelphia Museum of Art - Major art museum, famous steps
- Barnes Foundation - Renowned impressionist collection
- Rodin Museum - Largest Rodin collection outside Paris
- Franklin Institute - Science museum
- Academy of Natural Sciences - Natural history museum
- Free Library of Philadelphia - Central library
Public Art
[edit | edit source]The Parkway features numerous sculptures and installations:
- Flags of all nations
- Various sculptures
- Memorial fountains
Living in Logan Square
[edit | edit source]Housing
[edit | edit source]- High-rise apartment buildings (many recent)
- Some historic townhouses
- Predominantly rental apartments
- Higher-end pricing
Demographics
[edit | edit source]- Young professionals
- Museum and cultural industry workers
- Students and academics
- Downtown workers
Character
[edit | edit source]Logan Square offers:
- Walking distance to major museums
- Convenient to Center City
- Less neighborhood feel than residential areas
- Active during day, quieter at night
- Views of the Parkway and museums
Getting There
[edit | edit source]Public Transit
[edit | edit source]- Broad Street Line (The B): Race-Vine Station
- SEPTA Bus Routes: 7, 32, 33, 48, 76
- PHLASH: Seasonal tourist trolley
Walking
[edit | edit source]- 15 minutes from Center City core
- Direct access to Art Museum and Parkway
- Connected to Fairmount neighborhood
Dining
[edit | edit source]Logan Square dining is concentrated around 20th Street and the edges of the Parkway:
- Rose Tattoo Cafe - American
- Museum restaurants
- Cafes and casual spots
- Hotel dining
See Also
[edit | edit source]References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ "Logan Square". Visit Philadelphia. Retrieved December 22, 2025