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Whitman, Philadelphia facts for kids

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Whitman
George Sharswood School
George Sharswood School
Country  United States
State Pennsylvania
County Philadelphia County
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. 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.

Demographics

According to the 2000 Census, Whitman, combined with Queen Village and Southwark, has 26,300 inhabitants. The racial makeup of the community is White, 60 percent; Black, 27 percent; Asian, 8 percent; Latino, 5 percent. About 40 percent of the population is under 18. 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.

Architecture

Mostly two-bedroom row homes that later were expanded to include extra rooms; most are constructed from brick. Many homes have front lawns. Some special areas in Whitman were built in an urban-meet-suburban style to have front lawns, driveways, and garages. Some of these exclusive neighborhoods include the notoriously sought after Saint Michael Dr and Saint Christopher Dr, named after their respective saints.

Major landmarks

  • Baby Saigon, 320 Oregon Ave.
  • Burke Playground, 2nd and Jackson.
  • Mifflin Square, Fifth and Wolf Streets.
  • Murphy Recreation Center, 300 W Shunk St.
  • Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 2319 S. Third St., which is more than 100 years old.
  • South Bowl, 19 E Oregon Ave.
  • Whitman Library, 200 Snyder Ave.
  • Whitman Plaza shopping center, Fourth Street and Oregon Avenue.
  • YPC Shari-Eli synagogue, 728 W Moyamensing Avenue

The George Sharswood School and SS United States are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Trivia

Origin of the name

When the neighborhood was declared an urban-renewal area in the mid-1950s, the nearby Walt Whitman Bridge also was being constructed. It was only logical, then, to lend the poet's name to the neighborhood as well.

Famous residents

  • Joey Coyle, who stole $1.2 million that fell from an armored truck. 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.

District and local organization

State Senate district

  • First, Larry Farnese (D)

State House district

  • 184th, William Keller (D)

City Council district

  • First, Mark Squilla (D)

Ward

  • 39th

Police district

  • Third

Civic groups and town watches

  • Whitman Plaza Community
  • Pennsport/Whitman Town Watch
  • Whitman Council, which holds monthly meetings and distributes bimonthly newsletters.


Education

Schools

The School District of Philadelphia operates public schools in the Whitman neighborhood.

  • George Sharswood Elementary, 2300 S. Second St.
  • John H. Taggart Elementary, 400 Porter St.

Neighborhoods assigned to Sharswood are also assigned to Furness High School.

Public libraries

The Free Library of Philadelphia Whitman Branch serves the community.

Notable residents

  • Joey Coyle, who stole $1.2 million that fell from an armored truck. 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.

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