The History of Fishtown

1217 Shackamaxon St Fishtown is a neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and is one of the last truly "Family Neighborhoods" in Philadelphia. Most of the people here are cousin's or 2nd cousins, and have lived in the same homes for most of their lives. Located immediately northeast of Center City, Fishtown's borders are somewhat disputed today due to many factors, but are roughly defined by the triangle created by the Delaware River, Frankford Avenue, and York Street. Newer residents of the area consider it to go all the way up to Lehigh Avenue, while some older residents maintain the upper border to be Norris Street. HISTORY OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD PRE-1800 The area was originally inhabited by members of the Turtle Clan of the Lenni Lenape Indian tribe (who the Europeans named the Delaware Indian Tribe). The first European settlers were a group of 6 Swedish farming families, later replaced by British landed gentry, then British shipbuilders and German fishermen. 1800-1950 Within a few generations there was another influx of German immigrants, then still later in the late 19th century Polish and Irish Catholic immigrants. The two Roman Catholic Churches, St. Laurentius and Holy Name of Jesus, were built by these immigrants. Saint Laurentius, built by the Polish immigrants, and Holy Name, built by predominantly Irish and German immigrants, continue to serve the community. MODERN HISTORY The neighborhood has been working class for centuries. While poverty grew after jobs left in the de-industrialization which afflicted many "rust belt" cities, Fishtown's workers continued to maintain a stable working-class community. Most long-time residents trace their ancestry to Irish, German, and Polish Catholic immigrants. In recent years Fishtown has experienced moderate gentrification characterized by significant rises in housing prices and the opening or upscaling of art, entertainment, and dining establishments. An influx of artists and professionals has joined the ranks of police officers, fire fighters, carpenters, electricians, stone masons, plumbers, sheet-metal workers, and teamsters. The neighborhood has been chosen by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to be the site of the SugarHouse gaming complex, leading to some controversy within the neighborhood. read more...