Philly Scenes (Posted 12/22/00)

Rowboat From the Spring Garden St. Bridge (near the Art Museam) Nikon 990 12/14/00  4:15pm   Historical Tidbits:

Spring Garden Street was named for the district through which it ran. The District of Spring Garden, originally bounded by Vine street, Fairmount Avenue, Broad and 6th Street, probably derived it's name from Spring Garden, the county Seat of Dr. Francis Gandouet, which was located near 7th and Buttonwood as early as 1723. Though records indicate that Spring Garden Street was first confirmed in 1833 from 6th to Broad, permission was given in 1811 "to open a road to the west side [of the shuykill] from Lancaster Pike to the bridge, which is the present day Spring garden street." This indicates a much easier-if not legally opened-roadway. The road jury confirmed the segment from Lancaster to callowhill Bridge in 1834. By the end of the nineteenth century, Spring Garden Street extended as far east as 6th Street, including the sections in the possesion of the owners of the Bush Hill Estate (16th to 18th Streets). From the Delaware River west, the street was opened by ordinance in 1908. This stretch of road contains portions of Green Street, confirmed by jury in 1785.* The name Schuylkill, which means "hidden stream," was given by early Dutch explorers who passed the mouth of the river without seeing the stream.*   * from Mermaids, Monasteries, Cherokees and Custer: the stories behind Philadelphia street names by Robert I. Alotta Bonus Books, Inc. ©Robert I. Alotta, 1990

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