Those who live, work or just visit Philadelphia’s eclectic Northwestern neighborhoods know there’s something unique in these communities. Along the Northern banks of the Schuylkill River lies East Falls, Manayunk and Roxborough, each brimming with an architectural history that Joseph Minardi compiled through a mix of archival photographs and colorful current-day shots.
In Chapter One of Minardi’s Historic Architecture in Philadelphia: East Falls, Manayunk, and Roxborough, we tour East Falls with beautiful photos of mansions, churches and the historical landmarks we’ve all passed while driving along such classic roads as School House Lane and Kelly Drive. Minardi gives us a peek into the impressive Ravenhill, once a private school for girls and now part of Philadelphia University, with its ornate woodwork and mammoth fireplaces. East Falls was sometimes referred to as “Kellyville” because the famed Kelly family resided in a brick home at 3901 Henry Avenue. The fascinating photos are mixed with short interesting facts about the neighborhoods that residents will surely reference for years to come.
In Chapter Two, we learn about the architecture of Roxborough from the revolutionary era through Victorian times. With short pieces, we learn the histories of the Levering, Righter and the Rittenhouse families. Current-day color photographs of homes and churches from Dupont Street, Ripka Street and Hermitage Street are all represented.
Out of the three neighborhoods represented, Manayunk is the one best known by outsiders. On summer nights, Manayunk’s Main Street is packed with visitors enjoying the restaurants, bars and shops. We learn the history of Manayunk through the industrial era as well as the subsequent decline and re-emergence as the hip town it has become today. There’s also a nod to The Philadelphia International Championship bicycle race, which has run since 1985 under various names, including the infamous Manayunk Wall. There are sunny-day shots of current-day Main Street, along with stunning photos from the towering St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church on Rector Street and the tightly packed mill houses for which Manayunk is known.
Through the vibrant photos of homes, churches and businesses, we learn about the growth and historical significance of these three neighborhoods. It’s a fascinating look at how these communities are interconnected and have developed through time. Minardi’s pristine photographs are beautifully shot. In all, there are nearly 500 color photographs and a few archival shots.
Anyone living in these neighborhoods will immediately recognize some of the photographs as homes of neighbors, familiar businesses and well-traveled streets. They might even be surprised to see their own home or apartment. Historic Architecture in Philadelphia: East Falls, Manayunk, and Roxborough is an excellent coffee table and reference book for those who desire to understand the historical significance of their own neighborhood.
Historic Architecture in Philadelphia: East Falls, Manayunk, and Roxborough is available from Amazon, as published by Schiffer Publishing.
