Kingsessing
Kingsessing
| Type | Neighborhood |
|---|---|
| Location | Southwest Philadelphia |
| ZIP code(s) | 19142, 19143 |
| Named for | Kingsessing township (historic) |
| Boundaries | Roughly 49th Street to 67th Street, Woodland Avenue to Cobbs Creek |
| Adjacent | Cobbs Creek, Elmwood, Cedar Park |
| Major streets | Woodland Avenue, Chester Avenue, 58th Street |
| Transit | SEPTA trolleys (36), bus routes |
| Landmarks | Bartram's Garden (nearby), historic housing |
Kingsessing is one of the oldest named areas in Philadelphia, originally a township predating the city's 1854 consolidation. Located in Southwest Philadelphia, the neighborhood has historic significance and provides affordable housing options.
History
Colonial Origins
Kingsessing was one of the original Swedish settlements in the region:
- Swedish colonists in the 17th century
- Name may derive from Swedish "Kingsholmen" or a Lenape word
- Kingsessing township until 1854 consolidation
- Historic farms and estates
Bartram's Garden
Near Kingsessing lies Bartram's Garden:
- America's oldest botanical garden (founded 1728)
- John Bartram's historic home and garden
- National Historic Landmark
- Public park and garden today
Character
Housing
- Mix of housing types
- Rowhouses and twins
- Some older homes
- Affordable prices
- Varied conditions
Community
- Working-class families
- African-American community
- Longtime residents
- Community organizations
Living in Kingsessing
- Affordable housing
- Historic neighborhood
- Near Bartram's Garden
- Transit accessible
Getting There
- SEPTA trolley: Route 36
- SEPTA buses: 52
- Near: Woodland Avenue corridor
See Also
- Cobbs Creek
- Elmwood
- Southwest Philadelphia
- Bartram's Garden