Holmesburg

Named for the descendants of John Holme, Holmesburg resides in the Northeast section of Philadelphia. Holmesburg is one of the oldest neighborhoods in the Northeast. Its borders include Roosevelt Boulevard to the west, the Delaware River to the east, Sheffield Avenue to the south and Academy Road/Pennypack Park to the north.

Homes is this area are generally two-story, single family housing. Some have been turned into duplexes and triplexes, which is said to be the cause of erosion in some parts of Holmesburg.

The neighborhood is home to the Pennypack Theater, built in 1929 by acclaimed architect William Harold Lee. Also in the area backed up against the Delaware River, is the Philadelphia Prison System, which includes a number of facilities. The Holmesburg Prison (known now as Curran-Fromhold Prison) was used for three (3) motion pictures. The nieghborhood of Holmesburg was also the setting for the novel Green Grass Grace.

The area is accessible via car with Frankford Avenue being the main thoroughfare. It is also a historic byway. I-95 is in the neighborhood as well making it easy to get to the inner city. Public transportation is available in Holmesburg by way of SEPTA's Trenton Line, which runs straight to Center City, and bus routes such as the 66, 84, 28, and 88.

There are plenty of recreational facilities in the vicinity such as the Holmesburg Recreational Center, James Ramp Memorial Playground and Pennypack Park. The Holmesburg Civic Association, which meets every second Tuesday, helps to keep the neighborhood safe with its town watch program.

Holmesburg doesn't have a plethora of shopping options. However, there is the Holmesburg Shopping Center which includes stores like Family Dollar, Rite Aid, China Moon Restaurant and Advance Auto Parts.

With the surrounding parks, Holmesburg has an urban and suburban feel to it. With a little hussle for the city lovers and less bussle for those fond of the country, this neighborhood is just right for anyone looking for that in between action.

Holmesburg is a neighborhood with a lot of interesting history behind it. Located in the northeast part of Philadelphia Holmesburg was founded by runaway slaves before and during the Civil War. It is now one of the longest continuous African-American communities in the United States.

The neighborhood is also home to the history Pennypack Theatre which was built in 1920 and designed by the famous architect William Harold Lee. The building has been used for many different businesses throughout the years. Mostly recent it has been used for a Pizza Hut, Wing Street and dollar store.

Holmesburg is also the site of the Philadelphia Prison System which includes several correctional centers and facilities. The Holmesburg Prison has even appeared in a few major movies such as Up Close & Personal starring Robert Redford.

As neighborhood Holmesburg has a lot to offer, it’s within reach of several parks including Pennypack Park, not to mention the general surroundings of the area have a suburban feel to it. Transportation is done by car easily and I-95 is within reach. But you can also access to public transportation with relative ease as well.
Holmesburg has a diverse population and strong sense of community and prides itself on its diversity and role of consciousness in the city.

Holmesburg is a neighborhood located in Northeast Philadelphia. It is bound by the Delaware River to the east, Roosevelt Boulevard to the west, Torresdale Avenue to the north and Sheffield Avenue to the south.
There are some very pretty areas of Holmesburg, including Pennypack Creek. These pockets of nature allow Holmesburg residents to have the best of both worlds including city life and country scenery. The neighborhood also features two creational facilities including James Ramp Memorial Playground and Holmesburg Recreation Center, located at the intersection of Rhawn Street and Diamond Street.
It is fairly easy to get around Holmesburg thanks to many public transportation services. Residents can enjoy a straight ride all of the way to Center City on SEPTA’s Trenton Line and heavily trafficked highways such as Interstate 95 are easily accessible either by Cottman Avenue or Academy Road.
The neighborhood is also the site of the Philadelphia Prison System.
Holmesburg is a safe neighborhood to live in and includes a large African American community. Housing prices are moderate. The area includes row homes, single-family houses as well as apartment complexes. It makes a great area for families who still want to be part of the city but also crave the feeling of a suburban environment.