Getting to Know the History of West Philadelphia, PA


The slip and fall lawyers at Philly Slip and Fall Guys offer a detailed history of West Philadelphia, PA. Here is more information about what West Philadelphia has to offer to residents and visitors:

West Philadelphia

West Philadelphia is the region of the city generally located to the west of the Schuylkill River and is located in Philadelphia County in Pennsylvania. The region encompasses ZIP codes 19104, 19131, 19139, 19143, and 19151. It takes up approximately 9,088 acres. The bodies of water included in the area are the Belmont Reservoir, Concourse Lake, Centennial Lake, and Cobbs Creek.

History

In 1735, Andrew Hamilton purchased land from descendants of William Warner, the first known European settler in the region. Warner’s estate is now the site of the Woodlands Cemetery. The cemetery was established in 1840 and included over 1,000 trees in its arboretum. Many famous people from Philadelphia are buried in this cemetery.

Clark Park sits on what was once the site for the largest hospital for the Union Army during the Civil War, the Satterlee Hospital. It was founded by Surgeon-General William Alexander Hammond and was in operation from 1862 until 1865. Thousands of soldiers were treated by the doctors and nurses who worked in the hospital. At one point, it was the second-largest hospital in the country, and its tents contained as many as 4,500 beds.

Some of the earliest developments started in 1850, but most of the construction ended in 1930. It contained some of the most expensive homes in the country. Many of the Victorian-era structures are still standing. Over the last 50 years, many upper and middle-class households have moved out of the area due to crime.

Neighborhood

Within the region is the 2,000-acre Fairmount Park. This park sits on the Schuylkill River which separates the east and west portions of the city. The site was initially farmland owned by Robert Morris, a financier during the Revolutionary War. When Morris was forced into bankruptcy, he sold the farm to a businessman who converted the area into a beautiful garden. It did not become a park until after it was sold again to a city councilman in 1843. This stopped the contamination of the river and allowed the area to be developed to preserve the natural features.

Many rows of Victorian-era homes can be seen along the roads. Other attractions include:

  • Shofuso Japanese House and Garden

  • Sweetbriar Mansion

  • Smith Memorial Arch

  • Please Touch Museum

  • Ohio House

  • The Mann Center

  • Fairmount Park Horticulture Center

Demographics

The communities that make up the western section of the city had a population of 200,147 in 2010. The diverse area included the following:

  • 72% Black or African-American

  • 18.4% White/European

  • 0.4% American Indian

  • 5.7% Asian

  • 3.5% Mixed Races or Other

For more interesting facts about Pennsylvania, check out the following article offered by our slip and fall lawyers: A Quick History of Southwest Philadelphia, PA.

Trip and Fall Lawyer Services in West Philadelphia

The team of experienced slip and fall attorneys at Philly Slip and Fall Guys serves clients located in West Philadelphia and the surrounding areas. Trip and fall accidents can occur in a wide variety of locations — in stores, on sidewalks, in your apartment building, on a staircase, and more. If your accident was due to the property owner’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, rehabilitation or therapy, and pain and suffering. Quickly seek the services of a trip and fall lawyer after your injury.

The role of a slip and fall lawyer is to make sure that you get fair compensation for your injuries. Our team of trip and fall attorneys will meet with you to discuss your individual case. We will help you determine if you are eligible to receive payment and walk you through the claims process.

There may be times when an insurance company will try to reject your claim or offer a lowball settlement after an injury. Slip and fall lawyers are beneficial in those instances as they will be able to challenge the lowball offer. If necessary, a trip and fall lawyer has the experience to represent you in court. They will prepare all the required legal documents and argue your case in a clear and compelling manner.

Seek Local Trip and Fall Attorneys

Don’t let a trip, slip, or fall negatively affect your life. Contact the trip and fall lawyers at Philly Slip and Fall Guys to talk with experienced professionals about your case. Our team will help you get your benefits to compensate for your injury. Give us a call or fill out our online form to get a complimentary consultation today.

Philly Slip And Fall Guys
1617 John F Kennedy Blvd #355,
Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA
(215) 268-6898