Overbrook
Overbrook
| Type | Neighborhood |
|---|---|
| Location | West Philadelphia |
| ZIP code(s) | 19131, 19151 |
| Named for | Location "over the brook" (Cobbs Creek) |
| Boundaries | Roughly City Avenue to 63rd Street, Market Street to Haverford Avenue |
| Adjacent | Wynnefield, Cobbs Creek, Haddington, Overbrook Farms |
| Major streets | City Avenue, Haverford Avenue, 63rd Street, Lancaster Avenue |
| Transit | SEPTA Regional Rail (Overbrook Station), bus routes |
| Landmarks | Overbrook School for the Blind, historic estates |
Overbrook is a neighborhood in West Philadelphia near the city's western boundary. The name refers to the area's location "over the brook" (Cobbs Creek). Overbrook includes diverse housing from working-class rowhouses to substantial homes, with the adjacent Overbrook Farms area featuring distinctive early 20th-century architecture.
History
[edit | edit source]Overbrook developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as Philadelphia expanded westward. The area attracted development due to its proximity to rail lines and the appeal of its hilly terrain. The neighborhood became home to both modest working-class housing and grander estates.
Overbrook School for the Blind
[edit | edit source]The Overbrook School for the Blind has been a neighborhood landmark since 1899:
- Residential school for visually impaired students
- Historic campus
- One of the oldest schools of its kind in the United States
Overbrook Farms
[edit | edit source]Overbrook Farms is a distinct sub-neighborhood:
- Late Victorian and Edwardian architecture
- Large single-family homes
- Historic district designation
- Tree-lined streets
- Active civic association
Character
[edit | edit source]Housing
[edit | edit source]- Mix of housing types
- Rowhouses in some sections
- Large singles in Overbrook Farms
- Twins and duplexes
Community
[edit | edit source]- Working-class and middle-class families
- African-American community
- Historic preservation efforts in Overbrook Farms
- Mix of longtime residents and newcomers
Living in Overbrook
[edit | edit source]- Range of housing prices
- More affordable than adjacent Lower Merion
- Access to regional rail
- Near City Avenue shopping
Getting There
[edit | edit source]- SEPTA Regional Rail: Overbrook Station (Paoli/Thorndale Line)
- SEPTA buses: 44, 65
- City Avenue: Major commercial corridor