Whitman, Philadelphia: Difference between revisions
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'''Whitman''' is a neighborhood in the [[South Philadelphia]] section of [[Philadelphia]], [[Pennsylvania]], United States. It is bounded on the west by Sixth Street, on the east by Front Street, on the south by Bigler Street, and on the north by Snyder Avenue. The name "Whitman" was adopted when the nearby [[Walt Whitman Bridge]] |
'''Whitman''' is a neighborhood in the [[South Philadelphia]] section of [[Philadelphia]], [[Pennsylvania]], United States. It is bounded on the west by Sixth Street, on the east by Front Street, on the south by Bigler Street, and on the north by Snyder Avenue. The name "Whitman" was adopted when the nearby [[Walt Whitman Bridge]] was being constructed in the 1950s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.southphillyreview.com/view_article.php?id=2560|title=The place where you live: Whitman}}</ref> |
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In 2015, Whitman and nearby South Philadelphia neighborhoods were named by Philadelphia Magazine as one of the safest and most family-friendly neighborhoods in Philadelphia.<ref>neighborhood/|title=Whitman: Up and Coming South Philly Neighborhood {{!}} Philadelight|date=2015-08-09|newspaper=Philadelight|access-date=2017-02-25|language=en-US}}</ref> |
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==Demographics== |
==Demographics== |
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{{Update section|date=January 2025}} |
{{Update section|date=January 2025}} |
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According to the 2000 Census, Whitman, combined with [[Queen Village]] and [[Southwark, Philadelphia|Southwark]], has 26,300 inhabitants.{{cn|date=April 2017}} The racial makeup of the community is White, 60 percent; Black, 27 percent; Asian, 8 percent; Latino, 5 percent.{{cn|date=April 2017}} About 40 percent of the population is under 18.{{cn|date=April 2017}} Whitman has a very large population of Irish Catholics. The 2010 Census showed progressive changes in demographics, including an increase in total inhabitants, with a marked increase in Asian American and young professional population.<ref>{{Cite web |
According to the 2000 Census, Whitman, combined with [[Queen Village]] and [[Southwark, Philadelphia|Southwark]], has 26,300 inhabitants.{{cn|date=April 2017}} The racial makeup of the community is White, 60 percent; Black, 27 percent; Asian, 8 percent; Latino, 5 percent.{{cn|date=April 2017}} About 40 percent of the population is under 18.{{cn|date=April 2017}} Whitman has a very large population of Irish Catholics. The 2010 Census showed progressive changes in demographics, including an increase in total inhabitants, with a marked increase in Asian American and young professional population.<ref>{{Cite web|title = The 2010 Census {{!}} Philly|url = http://www.philly.com/philly/hot_topics/117455888.html|website = www.philly.com|access-date = 2015-10-23}}</ref> |
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==Major landmarks== |
==Major landmarks== |
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Lawrence E. Murphy Recreation Center, 300 W. Shunk St. This 4.9-acre park has playground equipment, a pool, a basketball court, and sports fields. The five-room building has a gymnasium and multi-purpose rooms. The site was renamed in honor of Lawrence E. Murphy in 1964. He was an employee of the recreation department for 37 years. He worked at this site when it was known as "Greenwich Recreation Center."<ref>[https://www.phila.gov/parks-rec-finder/#/location/lawrence-e-murphy-recreation-center/56a8f8697a8cee5e3a25b0b3 Lawrence E. Murphy Recreation Center 300 W. Shunk St.]</ref> |
Lawrence E. Murphy Recreation Center, 300 W. Shunk St. This 4.9-acre park has playground equipment, a pool, a basketball court, and sports fields. The five-room building has a gymnasium and multi-purpose rooms. The site was renamed in honor of Lawrence E. Murphy in 1964. He was an employee of the recreation department for 37 years. He worked at this site when it was known as "Greenwich Recreation Center."<ref>[https://www.phila.gov/parks-rec-finder/#/location/lawrence-e-murphy-recreation-center/56a8f8697a8cee5e3a25b0b3 Lawrence E. Murphy Recreation Center 300 W. Shunk St.]</ref> |
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Mifflin Square, 500 Wolf St. This 4.2-acre park in South Philadelphia has large trees, walkways, playground equipment and a basketball court.<ref>[https://www.phila.gov/parks-rec-finder/#/location/mifflin-square/56a8f8227a8cee5e3a25ae29 Mifflin Square]</ref> |
Mifflin Square, 500 Wolf St. This 4.2-acre park in South Philadelphia has large trees, walkways, playground equipment and a basketball court.<ref>[https://www.phila.gov/parks-rec-finder/#/location/mifflin-square/56a8f8227a8cee5e3a25ae29 Mifflin Square 500 Wolf St.]</ref> |
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Reverend Edward P. Burke Playground, 200 Snyder Ave. A 1.7-acre site with playground equipment, a basketball court and hockey court. Located adjacent to the Whitman branch of the Free Library. The site was named in honor of Reverend Edward P. Burke in 1963. Burke was pastor at Our Lady of Mount Carmel church from 1950 until his death in 1960. He was a vocal opponent of housing and expressway construction projects that threatened to destroy homes in the area. He was ordained in 1922 and served as a U.S. Army chaplain in WWII, retiring with the rank of major.<ref>[https://www.phila.gov/parks-rec-finder/#/location/reverend-edward-p-burke-playground/56a8f81c7a8cee5e3a25ae01 Reverend Edward P. Burke Playground, 200 Snyder Ave.]</ref> |
Reverend Edward P. Burke Playground, 200 Snyder Ave. A 1.7-acre site with playground equipment, a basketball court and hockey court. Located adjacent to the Whitman branch of the Free Library. The site was named in honor of Reverend Edward P. Burke in 1963. Burke was pastor at Our Lady of Mount Carmel church from 1950 until his death in 1960. He was a vocal opponent of housing and expressway construction projects that threatened to destroy homes in the area. He was ordained in 1922 and served as a U.S. Army chaplain in WWII, retiring with the rank of major.<ref>[https://www.phila.gov/parks-rec-finder/#/location/reverend-edward-p-burke-playground/56a8f81c7a8cee5e3a25ae01 Reverend Edward P. Burke Playground, 200 Snyder Ave.]</ref> |
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==Notable people== |
==Notable people== |
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* [[Joey Coyle]], who stole $1.2 million that fell from an armored truck in 1981. His story was developed into a 1993 movie, ''[[Money for Nothing (1993 film)|Money for Nothing]]'', starring [[John Cusack]] |
* [[Joey Coyle]], who stole $1.2 million that fell from an armored truck in 1981. His story was developed into a 1993 movie, ''[[Money for Nothing (1993 film)|Money for Nothing]]'', starring [[John Cusack]]. |
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* [[Jim Kenney]], the 99th mayor of Philadelphia, grew up in the Whitman neighborhood and once served as a board member of Whitman Council Civic Association |
* [[Jim Kenney]], the 99th mayor of Philadelphia, grew up in the Whitman neighborhood and once served as a board member of Whitman Council Civic Association. |
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* [[Mark Squilla]], city councilman |
* [[Mark Squilla]], city councilman. |
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== District and local organization == |
== District and local organization == |
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===Civic groups and town watches=== |
===Civic groups and town watches=== |
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* Whitman Plaza Community<ref>{{Cite web|title = Whitman Plaza|url = http://www.whitmanplaza.com|website = www.whitmanplaza.com|access-date = 2015-11-09}}</ref> |
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* Whitman Plaza Community |
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* Pennsport/Whitman Town Watch |
* Pennsport/Whitman Town Watch |
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*Mifflin Square Patrol |
*Mifflin Square Patrol |
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* Whitman Council, which holds monthly meetings and distributes bimonthly newsletters |
* Whitman Council, which holds monthly meetings and distributes bimonthly newsletters.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://whitmancouncil.org/|title=Whitman Council Inc|website=whitmancouncil.org|publisher=Whitman Council|access-date=2016-10-05}}</ref> |
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== References == |
== References == |
Revision as of 19:59, 2 June 2025
This article needs additional citations for verification. (February 2022) |
Whitman | |
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Coordinates: 39°55′03″N 75°09′13″W / 39.91757°N 75.15365°W | |
Country | ![]() |
State | Pennsylvania |
County | Philadelphia |
City | Philadelphia |
Zip code | 19148 |
Area code(s) | 215, 267 and 445 |
Whitman is a neighborhood in the South Philadelphia section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. It is bounded on the west by Sixth Street, on the east by Front Street, on the south by Bigler Street, and on the north by Snyder Avenue. The name "Whitman" was adopted when the nearby Walt Whitman Bridge was being constructed in the 1950s.[1] In 2015, Whitman and nearby South Philadelphia neighborhoods were named by Philadelphia Magazine as one of the safest and most family-friendly neighborhoods in Philadelphia.[2]
Demographics
![]() | This section needs to be updated.(January 2025) |
According to the 2000 Census, Whitman, combined with Queen Village and Southwark, has 26,300 inhabitants.[citation needed] The racial makeup of the community is White, 60 percent; Black, 27 percent; Asian, 8 percent; Latino, 5 percent.[citation needed] About 40 percent of the population is under 18.[citation needed] Whitman has a very large population of Irish Catholics. The 2010 Census showed progressive changes in demographics, including an increase in total inhabitants, with a marked increase in Asian American and young professional population.[3]
Major landmarks
- Whitman Plaza shopping center, Fourth Street and Oregon Avenue.
- YPC Shari-Eli synagogue, 728 W Moyamensing Avenue
- Preah Buddha Rangsey Temple on the southeast corner of Mifflin Square
The George Sharswood School and SS United States are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[4][5]
Playgrounds

Lawrence E. Murphy Recreation Center, 300 W. Shunk St. This 4.9-acre park has playground equipment, a pool, a basketball court, and sports fields. The five-room building has a gymnasium and multi-purpose rooms. The site was renamed in honor of Lawrence E. Murphy in 1964. He was an employee of the recreation department for 37 years. He worked at this site when it was known as "Greenwich Recreation Center."[6]
Mifflin Square, 500 Wolf St. This 4.2-acre park in South Philadelphia has large trees, walkways, playground equipment and a basketball court.[7]
Reverend Edward P. Burke Playground, 200 Snyder Ave. A 1.7-acre site with playground equipment, a basketball court and hockey court. Located adjacent to the Whitman branch of the Free Library. The site was named in honor of Reverend Edward P. Burke in 1963. Burke was pastor at Our Lady of Mount Carmel church from 1950 until his death in 1960. He was a vocal opponent of housing and expressway construction projects that threatened to destroy homes in the area. He was ordained in 1922 and served as a U.S. Army chaplain in WWII, retiring with the rank of major.[8]
Education
Schools
The School District of Philadelphia operates public schools in the Whitman neighborhood.
- George Sharswood Elementary, 2300 S. Second St.[9]
- John H. Taggart Elementary, 400 Porter St.[10]
Neighborhoods assigned to Sharswood are also assigned to Furness High School.[11][12]
Public libraries
The Free Library of Philadelphia Whitman Branch serves the community.[13]
Notable people
- Joey Coyle, who stole $1.2 million that fell from an armored truck in 1981. His story was developed into a 1993 movie, Money for Nothing, starring John Cusack.
- Jim Kenney, the 99th mayor of Philadelphia, grew up in the Whitman neighborhood and once served as a board member of Whitman Council Civic Association.
- Mark Squilla, city councilman.
District and local organization
State Senate district
- First, Nikil Saval (D)
State House district
- 184th, Elizabeth Fiedler (D)
City Council district
- First, Mark Squilla (D)
Ward
- 39th
Police district
- Third
Civic groups and town watches
- Whitman Plaza Community[14]
- Pennsport/Whitman Town Watch
- Mifflin Square Patrol
- Whitman Council, which holds monthly meetings and distributes bimonthly newsletters.[15]
References
- ^ "The place where you live: Whitman".
- ^ neighborhood/|title=Whitman: Up and Coming South Philly Neighborhood | Philadelight|date=2015-08-09|newspaper=Philadelight|access-date=2017-02-25|language=en-US}}
- ^ "The 2010 Census | Philly". www.philly.com. Retrieved 2015-10-23.
- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
- ^ "Whitman Neighborhood: Up and Coming South Philly". Philadelight Magazine. 10 August 2015. Retrieved 2015-10-23.
- ^ Lawrence E. Murphy Recreation Center 300 W. Shunk St.
- ^ Mifflin Square 500 Wolf St.
- ^ Reverend Edward P. Burke Playground, 200 Snyder Ave.
- ^ "George Sharswood Elementary School Geographic Boundaries" (Archive). School District of Philadelphia. Retrieved on November 29, 2015.
- ^ "John H. Taggart Elementary School Geographic Boundaries" (Archive). School District of Philadelphia. Retrieved on November 29, 2015.
- ^ "A Directory of High Schools for 2009 Admissions" (Archive). School District of Philadelphia. p. 15 (PDF p/ 17/40). Accessed November 6, 2008.
- ^ "Horace Furness High School Geographic Boundaries" (Archive). School District of Philadelphia. Retrieved on October 4, 2011.
- ^ "Whitman Branch." Free Library of Philadelphia. Retrieved on October 19, 2012.
- ^ "Whitman Plaza". www.whitmanplaza.com. Retrieved 2015-11-09.
- ^ "Whitman Council Inc". whitmancouncil.org. Whitman Council. Retrieved 2016-10-05.