University City in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Built c. 1880

4432 Spruce Street

— West Philadelphia Streetcar Suburb Historic District —

Built c. 1880 Marker image. Click for more information.

By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), July 3, 2023

1. Built c. 1880 Marker

West Philadelphia Streetcar Suburb Historic District Boundary Increase
National Register of Historic Places Registration Form
Click for more information.

Inscription.
West Philadelphia Streetcar Suburb
A National Register [of Historic Places] Historic District

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 39° 57.396′ N, 75° 12.664′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in University City. It is on Chestnut Street (Pennsylvania Route 3) just east of South 45th Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4432 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia PA 19104, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Pennsylvania. It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

New Netherland,

and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Built c. 1884

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(about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Built c. 1880 (about 400 feet away); American Bandstand (about 700 feet away); Built c. 1895 (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Built c. 1884 (approx. ¼ mile away); Built c. 1904 (approx. ¼ mile away); Ruth Plumly Thompson (approx. 0.3 miles away); a different marker also named Built c. 1904 (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.

Regarding Built c. 1880. The West Philadelphia Streetcar Suburb Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998. The nomination established two areas of significance under Criterion A, community development, and Criterion C, architecture. The district represents the transformation of rural West Philadelphia into an early suburb, a process that closely paralleled developments in transportation, particularly the introduction of horsecar lines in the 1850s and later the electrified trolleys in the 1890s. The district is also significant for its concentration of semi-urban residential architecture – particularly the twin house – and

4432 Spruce Street image. Click for full size.

By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), July 3, 2023

2. 4432 Spruce Street

supporting religious, institutional, and commercial buildings designed in characteristic Victorian and early-twentieth century styles by a range of architects, including many of Philadelphia’s most well-known practitioners.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 20, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 3, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 165 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 3, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.