Elmwood

Deep in Southwest Philadelphia is a neighborhood called Elmwood. For quite a while development authorities had slated the area to become an upscale residence. However, Elmwood has been to cleaned up to a reasonable area.

Elmwood borders Cobbs Creek and Delaware County where a very traditional and historic Quaker cemetery exist. With close proximity to the Philadelphia Airport there are a number of suites and bed and breakfasts nearby. Many are brand names familiar to most such as Korman Suites and Best Western. The Postal Service has placed its distribution center in the are because of the close area to I-95

Homes are of the tidy row variety with neat yards surrounding them. Residents have been neighbors for generations. Quite a few churches exist in Elmwood.

The Elmwood Roller Skating Rink is quite an attraction for area kids. The rink shares 41 likes on Facebook.

Events for the area include: Livable Communities and Philadelphia; 3rd Annual Philly Spring Cleanup; the Schylkill Trail Walk; and Bartram’s Garden to Dupont Crescent.

In the near future, the Nation’s “First National Water Trail” – in other words known as the “John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail” will design opportunities for recreation, historical interpretation, and environmental education. There will be efforts to restore a 200-mile long estuary.

In the near future, the Nation’s “First National Water Trail” – in other words known as the “John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail” will design opportunities for recreation, historical interpretation, and environmental education. There will be efforts to restore a 200-mile long estuary.





The Nation’s “First National Water Trail” – more properly, the “John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail.” And what a trail! – imagine the opportunities for recreation, historical interpretation, environmental education and efforts to restore a 200-mile long estuary – the largest in the world - that has been witness to some of the most profound history this nation enjoys.

The predominantly African-American, Elmwood, also sometimes referred to as Elmwood Park, is located in the Southeast section of West Philadelphia. This district has seen its share of racial hostility having been the site of a “civil disturbance” by white rioters when an interracial couple and an African-American family both purchased homes in the neighborhood.

Elmwood used to be inhabited by a large number of Polish-American and Irish-American families. However sometime between 1990 and 2000 that population decreased and the neighborhood became a slightly more diverse area with African-Americans, West African immigrants and Vietnamese American refugees all moving into the area.

Now a low-income neighborhood many of the buildings are showing signs of neglect and properties have stood empty for long periods of time. Like many areas in West Philadelphia there have been reports of an increase in illegal activity such as muggings and theft.

Elmwood’s main line of transportation is the trolley which runs through the neighborhood as well as several buses. While there are some corner stores and restaurants in the area many residents travel outside of the neighborhood to the more business friendly Baltimore Ave or further into the city for better shopping options.

Overall Elmwood is pretty typical neighborhood for that section of West Philadelphia.

Elmwood is a neighborhood located in the Southwest section of Philadelphia. It borders the city line with Delaware County and Cobbs Creek and is bound by the Schuylkill River to the east. The neighbor’s residents are largely Polish Americans, Irish Americans and African Americans. More Vietnamese Americans and West African immigrants are moving into the area.
As of the census of 2000, Elmwood was home to 27,329 residents. It is an extremely affordable place to live and offers plenty of single homes, row homes and apartment complexes.
The main public source of transportation for Elmwood is the Route 36 trolley which runs along Elmwood Avenue and up through the heart of the neighborhood. SEPTA also has many bus stops throughout the area.
Elmwood features a lot of different ethnic restaurants and plenty of bars. The neighborhood also is home to the Free Library of Philadelphia Paschalville Branch which is located at 6942 Woodland Avenue.
Elmwood is a safe neighborhood to live in, though it hasn’t always been that way. In the mid 1980’s, Mayor Wilson Goode declared a state of emergency for the area as white rioters gathered outside two homes in Elmwood and created an imminent danger to residents.