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Old 11-01-2014, 09:43 AM
 
Location: Philadelphia
11,998 posts, read 12,935,751 times
Reputation: 8365

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Quote:
Originally Posted by kyb01 View Post
She really thought that???

We had real home-grown department stores then. Strawbridge and Clothier, Wanamakers, Gimbels and Lits.
But she is quite correct in that most neighborhoods did have a degree of decent shopping.
True and I believe Germantown was the second largest commercial district back then after Center City.

Buildings Then and Now: A neighborhood's retail anchor goes a-weigh

"For most of the 20th century, Philadelphia's other center city was the main commercial thoroughfare of its second oldest community, Germantown's Chelten Avenue. Crossing Germantown Avenue just north of Germantown's historic center, Chelten Avenue emerged as a shopping street to rival Chestnut and Market streets in the late 19th century, after the Pennsylvania and Reading railroads extended lines to the area and built stations where their routes crossed the street."
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Old 11-01-2014, 10:21 AM
FBJ
 
Location: Tall Building down by the river
39,605 posts, read 59,016,245 times
Reputation: 9451
Quote:
Originally Posted by kyb01 View Post
She really thought that???

We had real home-grown department stores then. Strawbridge and Clothier, Wanamakers, Gimbels and Lits.
But she is quite correct in that most neighborhoods did have a degree of decent shopping.
I think she was talking about when she was a kid.......1955 to 1965, nothing to go to Center City for
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Old 11-01-2014, 10:49 AM
 
3,463 posts, read 5,660,766 times
Reputation: 7218
Quote:
Originally Posted by FBJ View Post
Just curious as to why?
This is purely subjective, and Im sure Ill get told how wrong I am, but the city had a different vibe. Especially in the 80's, it was more friendly in my opinion. In the early 90's, the city took another direction and the 'vibe'(for want of a better term) really changed for the worst for me. Just my opinion. I met Rizzo once though, so that dates me I really think it would help if they did something with the airport too . . . If you are coming in from another city, PHL is a ugly/dirty first impression.
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Old 11-01-2014, 11:04 AM
FBJ
 
Location: Tall Building down by the river
39,605 posts, read 59,016,245 times
Reputation: 9451
Quote:
Originally Posted by thunderkat59 View Post
This is purely subjective, and Im sure Ill get told how wrong I am, but the city had a different vibe. Especially in the 80's, it was more friendly in my opinion. In the early 90's, the city took another direction and the 'vibe'(for want of a better term) really changed for the worst for me. Just my opinion. I met Rizzo once though, so that dates me I really think it would help if they did something with the airport too . . . If you are coming in from another city, PHL is a ugly/dirty first impression.
why the airport is crusty looking?
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Old 11-01-2014, 12:18 PM
 
10,787 posts, read 8,759,762 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FBJ View Post
I think she was talking about when she was a kid.......1955 to 1965, nothing to go to Center City for
I was a kid then too. Although I grew up in the 'burbs, we went "in town" regularly. Center City was not really called that back then, btw. It was also an opportunity to wear better clothes, like what you would wear to a church on Sundays years ago. It was not as casual as it is today regarding dress. Men wore hats(no, I don't mean baseball caps!). Women wore dresses, white gloves, etc. Look at any old photos from 50-60 years ago and you'll see what I mean. Sometimes I miss that stuff.
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Old 11-03-2014, 01:44 PM
 
4,416 posts, read 9,140,200 times
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Philly has come a long way since those rugged Rocky Balboa days of the mid-70's. I imagine you will be pleasantly surprised by the advancement and growth of Philadelphia. Come on back! "Move closer to the world my friend. Take a little bit of time. Move closer to the world my friend and you'll see. "
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Old 11-14-2014, 01:48 PM
 
4 posts, read 5,594 times
Reputation: 47
Default Would you consider

Where I lived, South or Southwest Philly? Some of it wasn't too bad. What I really didn't like was Theodore Roosevelt Junior High. Got jumped on a regular basis, stabbed, beaten, and that was sometimes even in the classroom. Not too many white kids like me at that school in those days. It was the worst school I've ever attended and I went to six schools. But, there are parts I liked. Can't beat the food. It is encouraging that some of it is coming back. In those days we had the Sure-kill-crawl-way, and the river was polluted. I did some google image checks and yes, you are right, there are parts I wouldn't recognize these days. I lost my accent too. As I near retirement, I have given thought to moving in that direction, maybe not in the city, but I need to live near one so I can teach in my "golden" years. Haven't had a good hoagie since I left and what passes for a Philly Cheese steak out here ain't even close. Thanks for the thoughtful replies folks. Like I said, it is encouraging to read that maybe Philly is coming back and improving. I'm so old, I remember when Rizzo was the police chief. Wow, those were the days.
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Old 11-14-2014, 03:17 PM
 
10,787 posts, read 8,759,762 times
Reputation: 3984
Quote:
Originally Posted by Inspector71 View Post
Where I lived, South or Southwest Philly? Some of it wasn't too bad. What I really didn't like was Theodore Roosevelt Junior High. Got jumped on a regular basis, stabbed, beaten, and that was sometimes even in the classroom. Not too many white kids like me at that school in those days. It was the worst school I've ever attended and I went to six schools. But, there are parts I liked. Can't beat the food. It is encouraging that some of it is coming back. In those days we had the Sure-kill-crawl-way, and the river was polluted. I did some google image checks and yes, you are right, there are parts I wouldn't recognize these days. I lost my accent too. As I near retirement, I have given thought to moving in that direction, maybe not in the city, but I need to live near one so I can teach in my "golden" years. Haven't had a good hoagie since I left and what passes for a Philly Cheese steak out here ain't even close. Thanks for the thoughtful replies folks. Like I said, it is encouraging to read that maybe Philly is coming back and improving. I'm so old, I remember when Rizzo was the police chief. Wow, those were the days.
Yes, I remember him when he was police commissioner too. He's been gone so long, at this point, that he wouldn't recognize chunks of the city either. One thing that he certainly would not recognize is something he looked at every day as mayor: Dilworth Plaza. Today it's been transformed into Dilworth Park. It has an ice skating rink which just opened today. I can't imagine Rizzo ever believing that such a thing would end up right next to City Hall.
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Old 11-14-2014, 03:49 PM
 
Location: back in Philadelphia!
3,264 posts, read 5,652,988 times
Reputation: 2146
Quote:
Originally Posted by kyb01 View Post
Yes, I remember him when he was police commissioner too. He's been gone so long, at this point, that he wouldn't recognize chunks of the city either. One thing that he certainly would not recognize is something he looked at every day as mayor: Dilworth Plaza. Today it's been transformed into Dilworth Park. It has an ice skating rink which just opened today. I can't imagine Rizzo ever believing that such a thing would end up right next to City Hall.
Actually there was an outdoor rink in Penn Center, right next to city hall, when Rizzo was mayor.


Last edited by rotodome; 11-14-2014 at 03:57 PM.. Reason: added image
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Old 11-14-2014, 05:29 PM
 
10,787 posts, read 8,759,762 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rotodome View Post
Actually there was an outdoor rink in Penn Center, right next to city hall, when Rizzo was mayor.
You know I forgot about that! Thanks for pointing it out. It just wasn't the right time for it to have any staying power.
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