The History of Yorktown, PA


The slip and fall attorneys in Yorktown, PA, from Philly Slip & Fall Guys, would like to present you with the following article on the area’s history.

Yorktown

The neighborhood of Yorktown is located in the northern region of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is 1.8 miles from downtown Philly. West Poplar is south of the neighborhood, and Ludlow is to the east of it. Francisville is to the west, and North Central Philadelphia is to the north of the town. North Broad Street forms the western border while Cecil B. Moore and West Girard Avenues create the northern and southern borders. Although the main campus for Temple University is located north of the town’s border, the Residence Hall and Temple University Sports Complex are located inside the neighborhood.

History

During the 18th century, the area was predominantly agricultural. As the area grew, the area became home to many mansions owned by affluent Philadelphians. The Consolidation Act of 1854 led to the northern region of Philadelphia being lined with rowhomes.

As the industrial age was at its height, the area was known as a working town. Founders of the new manufacturing firms flooded the area and created many small communities, such as the Columbia section, now Cecil B. Moore Avenue. However, the wealth did not last as the Great Depression soon followed.

Historical Landmarks

The James R. Ludlow School, located on West Master Street, was built in 1926 and currently serves kindergarten through eighth grade. Irwin T. Catharine designed the Late Gothic Revival architectural style. Catharine was the chief architect for the Philadelphia public schools from 1920 until 1937. The school was named after Honorable James Reilly Ludlow. In 1988 it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

Also designed by Irwin T. Catharine is the William Henry Harrison School. The school is located on West Thompson Street and was built in 1883. This three-story brick building was also designed in the Late Gothic Revival architectural style and has a Tudor-arched entryway. It was named after President William Henry Harrison, the 9th President of the United States. Harrison only served as President for 31 days before passing away. He was the shortest-serving President and the first to die in office. The school was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.

Demographics

The North Philadelphia section had a population of 340,350 in 2010. The racial makeup of the area included the following:

  • 49.8% Non-Hispanic Black
  • 30.5% Hispanic or Latino of any race
  • 10.1% Non-Hispanic White
  • 5.0% Asian & Pacific Islander
  • 4.3% Mixed or Other
  • 0.3% Native American

Approximately 86.5% speak English. Other languages spoken by the residents include Chinese and Spanish. The ancestral makeup of the neighborhood is the following:

  • 11.1% Asian
  • 9.8% Sub-Saharan African
  • 7.8% Italian
  • 6.7% Jamaican
  • 5.5% Irish

The community is a predominantly low-income neighborhood. The area’s income is lower than 89.3% of other communities in the United States. The area has a high rate of childhood poverty, with as many as 26.1% of the population of children living below the national rate. The breakdown of occupations held by the working adults is the following:

  • 46.0% sales and service jobs
  • 30.3% executive, management, and professional occupations
  • 13.6% manufacturing and laborer jobs
  • 10.1% clerical, assistant, and technical support positions

To learn more about the neighboring town: A Historical Look at Fishtown, PA

Our Local Office

If you have become a victim of a slip and fall, you may be entitled to compensation. Let our Yorktown, PA, slip and fall attorneys from Philly Slip & Fall Guys review your case. We offer a free no-obligation consultation so schedule yours today.

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