Race Street (Philadelphia)
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] It is listed by name on the map in Birch's Views of Philadelphia (1800) – Race and Arch Streets are listed by their original names, "Sassafras" and "Mulberry." The earliest official use of the name Cherry Street was in 1809.[2]
Maintained by | PennDOT |
---|---|
Postal code | 19102, 19103, 1904 |
History
The name "Race Street" was originally a nickname given to the street, as the street was used for horse racing in the early 1800s. The name became official some time in the mid-1850s.
Points of interest
Center City
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
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)
See also
References
- Robert F. Looney, Old Philadelphia in Early Photographs, 1839–1913 (Courier, 2013).
- 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.