Philadelphia vs. NYC, DC, and Boston

[MarketStEl]

Originally Posted by kyb01

All anyone has to do is look at a map of Philadelphia before 1854, with its original borders, and THAT is what Center City is.
And yes, the 5 squares(City Hall sits on the center one) are properly included.

I think that what throws many people off is that the two northern public squares (Franklin and Logan) sat at the northern city limit pre-1854 while the southern city limit was three blocks south of the southern public squares (Washington and Rittenhouse). Symmetry would have placed the northern city limit at Spring Garden Street, which today feels like a more "natural" boundary between Center City and North Philadelphia.

[KoNgFooCj]

Originally Posted by kyb01

It's really simple. What we have decided to call "Center City" is the original Philadelphia before the 1854 consolidation with Phila. Co. And, no, Spring Garden St is not the northern border of CC. Vine St is.

But I'm not trying to start any arguments about it! Lol

It's starting to get pretty confusing with people splitting it into different areas or interchanging names ie Center City, Old City, Midtown Village, The Gayborhood, Downtown .Its confusing right now for tourists. As long as they remember University City is in West Philadelphia.

[MarketStEl]

Originally Posted by KoNgFooCj

It's starting to get pretty confusing with people splitting it into different areas or interchanging names ie Center City, Old City, Midtown Village, The Gayborhood, Downtown .Its confusing right now for tourists. As long as they remember University City is in West Philadelphia.

Center City has been divided into neighborhoods for longer than I've lived here (37 years), and only outsiders use the word "downtown" to refer to it.

Midtown Village and the Gayborhood describe almost the same territory in Washington Square West, however (the Gayborhood's slightly larger), so there is some confusion there.

Here's the progression table for you:

Delaware River to Front Street, Vine to South: Delaware Riverfront (Penn's Landing is a subset of this)
Front to Seventh streets: Old City from Vine to Walnut, Society Hill south of Walnut
Seventh to 11th streets, Vine to Market: Chinatown
11th to Broad streets, Vine to Market: Pennsylvania Convention Center (district)
Seventh to Broad streets, Chestnut to South: Washington Square West (Midtown Village is a subdistrict of this from 12th to Broad, Chestnut to Locust; the Gayborhood is a subdistrict of this from 11th to Broad, Chestnut to Pine)
Broad Street to the Schuylkill River, Vine to Market: Logan Square
Broad Street to the Schuylkill River, Market to South: Avenue of the Arts to 16th, Rittenhouse Square west of 16th. Fitler Square is a subdistrict of Rittenhouse Square west of 21st and south of Locust

Market Street itself is referred to as Market Street East east of City Hall and Market Street West west of it, even though all addresses number West from Front Street. Very recent arrivals may occasionally slip and refer to Broad Street as 14th.

All of these together comprise Center City Philadelphia.

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by MarketStEl

I think that what throws many people off is that the two northern public squares (Franklin and Logan) sat at the northern city limit pre-1854 while the southern city limit was three blocks south of the southern public squares (Washington and Rittenhouse). Symmetry would have placed the northern city limit at Spring Garden Street, which today feels like a more "natural" boundary between Center City and North Philadelphia.

You are right as usual.

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by Wordsmith12

Very informative-- thanks!!

You can add this to your Phila. "to see" list next time you visit, Laurel Hill Cemetery(founded in 1836). It's another National Historic Landmark of which there are many in the city. Its sister cemetery, West Laurel Hill, is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year.

Laurel Hill is the burial place of George Meade along with other Civil War veterans.