Race Street (Philadelphia)

Race Street

Maintained by	PennDOT
Postal code	19102, 19103, 1904

Race Street is a major east-west street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that runs parallel to Arch Street. It was one of William Penn's original gridded streets from the 1680s though named Sassafras Street.^[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]

History

The name "Race Street" was originally a nickname given to the street as the street was used for horse racing in the 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):

• Elfreth's Alley
• Chinatown, Philadelphia
• Pennsylvania Convention Center
• Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
• Race Street Friends Meetinghouse
• Friends Select School
• Embassy Suites Hotel

West Philadelphia

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

• Steinbright Career Development Center
• Design Arts Annex
• North Hall
• Tower Hall
• Race Street Hall (rear)
• Calhoun Hall (rear)

See also

• History of Philadelphia

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.

Coordinates: 39°57′20″N 75°09′53″W / 39.955577°N 75.16475°W