Overbrook

High on the hill, this area is known for its basketball prowess through the numerous players Overbrook High School’s program has produced. In a word, they are awesome. Most notably is Wilt Chamberlain, who is one of 11 NBA players to emerge from the high school. Malik Rose, Lewis Lloyd, Hal Lear, Wali Jones, Wayne Hightower, and Mike Gale all count amongst this number.

Not only is the school known for its basketball but many politicians call Overbrook home including: Congressman Chaka Fattah and Councilman Curtis Jones. On the national stage, Will Smith came right out of Overbrook. The school is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Originally settled by Irish and Italians, the area is now largely African American and the home have held their value as a middle-class enclave. There are huge stone homes that dominate the streets with row home sections in-between.

Transportation is excellent with the Market Frankford El, trolley lines and bus routes all servicing the area.

The old Indian Trail, Lancaster Avenue winds its way from University City west through Overbrook and reaches into Montgomery County.

Community groups seek to maintain a good quality of life and include Neighbors of Overbrook Association, Town Watch, and the Royal Gardens Association.

Will Smith may have spent most of his days on the playground but he also walked the halls of Overbrook High School which is part of the middle to working class neighborhood of Overbrook. This area is often confused with Overbrook Farms which is the same general location but many people consider it a separate neighborhood.

Located close to City Ave, Overbrook has attracted many families of all racial backgrounds but is currently a predominantly African-American community. The houses range from large homes built in the 1930s to newer apartment complexes. Like most areas of Philadelphia the quality of life changes block by block with some streets being nicer than others.

Overbrook is also recognized as having fewer instances of reported crime compared to other parts of West Philadelphia. Robberies and violent crime are not entirely absent from the neighborhood but they do not happen often.

The other part of Overbrook, Overbrook Farms is home to a majority of students from Saint Joseph’s University and seems to be the more expensive part of this section. I used to work for a cleaning company that serviced this area and the home were massive with landscaped yards and many of the residents were lawyers, doctors or retired.