Germantown, Philadelphia
Germantown (German: Deutschstadt) is an area in Northwest Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Founded by Palatine, Quaker, and Mennonite families in 1683 as an independent borough, it was absorbed into Philadelphia in 1854. The area, which is about six miles northwest from the city center, now consists of two neighborhoods: 'Germantown' and 'East Germantown'.[4]
This article is about the Northwest Philadelphia neighborhoods of Germantown and East Germantown. For an article specifically about the Colonial Germantown Historic District, see Colonial Germantown Historic District.
Germantown, Philadelphia
United States
October 6, 1683
August 12, 1689
February 2, 1854
3.327 sq mi (8.62 km2)
240 ft (70 m)
75,935
23,000/sq mi (8,800/km2)
Germantowner
215
Germantown has played a significant role in American history; it was the birthplace of the American antislavery movement, the site of a Revolutionary War battle, the temporary residence of George Washington, the location of the first bank of the United States, and the residence of many notable politicians, scholars, artists, and social activists.
Today, the area remains rich in historic sites and buildings from the colonial era, some of which are open to the public.
Baldwin's "Old Ironsides", 1832
Route 23 trolley on Germantown Avenue, 1985
The first railroad in Philadelphia was the Philadelphia, Germantown and Norristown Railroad, which linked Germantown to a station at 9th and Green Streets in Center City. It opened in 1832, and was initially powered by horses.[28] The inventor Matthias W. Baldwin built his first commissioned steam locomotive for the new railroad. Nicknamed Old Ironsides, it eventually reached a peak speed of 28 mph.[29]
Today two SEPTA Regional Rail lines connect the neighborhood to Center City: the Chestnut Hill West Line with stops at Queen Lane, Chelten Avenue, and Tulpehocken stations; and the Chestnut Hill East Line with stops at Wister, Germantown, and Washington Lane stations.[30]
The neighborhood is also served by bus routes 18, 23 (formerly a trolley line), 26, 53 (formerly a trolley line), 65, H and XH, J, and K.[30]
In popular culture[edit]
The 1946 book, Bright April, written and illustrated by Marguerite de Angeli, features scenes of 1940s Germantown while addressing the divisive issue of racial prejudice experienced by African Americans.
The 2015 novel Loving Day is set in Germantown.