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East Falls NOW
May 2019
Colonial to neo-gothic and post-modern, East Falls has it all by Ellen Sheehan This article was inspired by Ken Hinde's lecture, “200 Years of East Falls Architecture” but is not intended as a summary of his full presentation. magine East Falls as a sleepy fishing village whose hills supported the recreational activities for the weary and overworked residents of center city. This is the proud Colonial origin of East Falls in the early 1700s. “200 Years of EF Architecture,” a program presented by the East Falls Historical Society, provided a chronological overview of how architecture was influenced by the geographical, occupational and social development taking place from William Penn’s landing in 1682 to the present. The program was presented by Ken Hinde, EF resident and historical society board member, to more than 100 attendees at the Falls Library on April 10. Ken has a museum back-
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ground and was tour director for the Foundation for Architecture for 15 years. He presently is a part-time tour guide/educator at the Fairmount Water Works. He works with other historical society members in developing and co-leading a number of tours related to EF history and architecture. The 1700-1800s saw the city as a walking/mercantile society where masonry and frame construction provided brick row housing for a society in undifferentiated living and working spaces. Society Hill, the “Cradle of Democracy,” for instance, represents the medieval craft tradition. During this time, East Falls provided a suburban respite from the crowded city. During the 1800-1900s the Schuylkill River produced not only power for industrial plants but easy transportation of raw materials and finished products to and from ports. East Falls became a mill town for middle class factory Weightman factories flourworkers. The Simpson Mills, ished and populated East Dobson Mills and Powers & Falls with the construction of surrounding row housing for their employees. Breweries, too, were prevalent because of the underground springs. Estates for the barons – the Dobsons, the Hohenadels and the Weightmans – rose up on safely to and from school each the hills influenced by the revival of Classical and day.” Romanesque Architecture. Residents want a traffic Churches reflected the impact study and the results made public before the Board Gothic and Romanesque revivals taking place throughof Education votes on the out the city. Ridge Avenue’s plans.
Charter School seeks site for 1,000 students on Henry Ave. (Continued from page 1)
“With a singular exit and entrance from Scotts Ln. it’s not yet well understood how students, particularly very young students, will travel
Kelly Drive Closings
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business district and housing is punctuated by cornice detailing and French mansard roofs. Once trains, trolleys and automobiles were in use, East Falls became a commuter suburb. With proximity to Center City and access to the Schuylkill Expressway, service and professional employment available through brief travel saw East Falls become a residential area with provisions for gardens and garages. The Queen Lane Water Works, the Falls Library, Mif-
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flin School, the former Ravenhill Academy and Alden Park display East Falls as an eclectic range of Queen Anne, Gothic, Beaux Arts, Tutor and Art-Deco styles. Recent Modernism styles can be seen on W. Penn St., Kelly Dr., and Conrad St. McMichael Park, Inn Yard Park, McDevitt Recreational Center and jogging and biking trails provide welcome recreational opportunities. And, yes, fishing along the Schuylkill in 2019 is alive and well in East Falls.`
Tennis, anyone?
s a result of an agreement between Legacy Tennis and the EFCC, anyone with identification showing residency in Philadelphia can play free on three outdoor courts in these hours through May:
Monday – Friday: 8 to 11 am Sat. and Sun.: 4 to 7 pm Sign in at the front desk. The hours will change for June, July and August. Watch East Falls NOW for details.
cucina italiana
3572 Indian Queen Lane, East Falls, Pa 19129 Lunch: Monday-Friday 11:30 to 2:30 Dinner: Monday-Saturday 15 to 9:30 | Sunday 4 to 9
more info at www.fiorino.us