Race Street (Philadelphia)
![]() Race Street in Chinatown with the Benjamin Franklin Bridge in the background | |
Maintained by | PennDOT |
---|---|
Postal code | 19102, 19103, 1904 |
West end | 36th Street in West Philadelphia |
Major junctions | ![]() |
East end | Columbus Boulevard in Old City |
North | Vine Street |
South | Arch Street |
Race Street is a major east–west street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that runs parallel to Cherry Street. It was one of William Penn's original gridded streets from the 1680s, although named Sassafras Street then.[1] Race and Arch streets are listed by their original names, "Sassafras" and "Mulberry," on the map in Birch's Views of Philadelphia, published in 1800.[2]
History
[edit]The name "Race Street" was originally a nickname given to the street, since the street was used for horse racing in Philadelphia in the early 1800s. The name became official some time in the mid-1850s.
Points of interest
[edit]Center City
[edit]From east in Center City near the Delaware River to west near the Schuylkill River:
- Elfreth's Alley
- National Constitution Center
- Franklin Square
- Philadelphia Police Department Headquarters
- Chinatown, Philadelphia
- Pennsylvania Convention Center
- Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
- Race Street Friends Meetinghouse
- Friends Select School
- Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul
- Embassy Suites by Hilton[3]
- Franklin Institute
West Philadelphia
[edit]Drexel University Campus, from 32nd to 34th Streets:
- Steinbright Career Development Center
- Design Arts Annex
- North Hall
- Tower Hall
- Race Street Hall (rear)
- Calhoun Hall (rear)
Gallery
[edit]- Race Street at night
- The new Franklin Square station to be opened in 2024, as viewed from Race Street
- National Constitution Center as viewed from Race and 6th Streets
See also
[edit]References
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Race Street (Philadelphia).
- ^ Robert F. Looney, Old Philadelphia in Early Photographs, 1839–1913 (Courier, 2013).[1]
- ^ Alotta, Robert I. (1990). Mermaids, Monasteries, Cherokees, and Custer: The Stories Behind Philadelphia Street Names. Chicago, IL: Bonus Books, Inc. p. 52. ISBN 9780933893900.
- ^ "Embassy Suites by Hilton Philadelphia Center City". Embassy Suites by Hilton.