Race Street (Philadelphia)

Race Street is a major east-west street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that runs parallel to Cherry Street. It was one of William Penn's original gridded streets from the 1680s, although named Sassafras Street then.[1] It is listed by name on the map in Birch's Views of Philadelphia (1800) – Race and Arch Streets are listed by their original names, "Sassafras" and "Mulberry." The earliest official use of the name Cherry Street was in 1809.[2]

Race Street
Maintained byPennDOT
Postal code19102, 19103, 1904

History

The name "Race Street" was originally a nickname given to the street, as the street was used for horse racing in the early 1800s. The name became official some time in the mid 1850s.

Points of interest

Center City

From east in Center City (near the Delaware River) to west (near the Schuylkill River):

West Philadelphia

Drexel University Campus, from 32nd to 34th Streets:

See also

References
  1. Robert F. Looney, Old Philadelphia in Early Photographs, 1839–1913 (Courier, 2013).
  2. Alotta, Robert I. (1990). Mermaids, Monasteries, Cherokees, and Custer: The Stories Behind Philadelphia Street Names. Chicago, IL: Bonus Books, Inc. p. 52. ISBN 9780933893900.
  3. "Embassy Suites by Hilton Philadelphia Center City". Embassy Suites by Hilton.

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