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Society Hill Information
Society Hill is a neighborhood in the Center City section of Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania, United States. The neighborhood, loosely defined as the area
between Walnut, Lombard, Front and 8th Streets. It contains the largest
concentration of original 18th and early 19th century architecture of any place
in the United States. Much like Beacon Hill in Boston, Society Hill is noted as
being a charming district with cobblestone streets bordered by brick row houses
in Federal and Georgian style.
The district is named after the 18th century Society of Free Traders, which
had its offices at Front Street on the hill above Dock Creek. Located close to
both the Delaware River and Philadelphia's civic buildings, including the
Independence Hall, the neighborhood soon became one of the city's most popular
areas. City Tavern which is one of National Historic Landmarks. Several market
halls, taverns and churches were built alongside brick houses of Philadelphia's
affluent citizens.
In the 19th century, the city moved westward and the area lost its appeal. The
houses started to deteriorate until the 1950s, when the city, state and federal
governments started one of the first redevelopment programs aiming at the
preservation of historic buildings. While several 19th century buildings were
demolished, most historic houses were sold to individuals who were bound to
restore the exterior of the buildings. At the same time parks and walkways were
created, replacing demolished buildings. Replicas of 18th century street
furniture enhance the colonial atmosphere. At some places demolished buildings
and empty lots were replaced by more modern buildings or even high-rise
buildings like the Society Hill Towers.
Society Hill contains many interesting historic buildings. One of them is the Society Hill Synagogue. It was originally constructed as a Baptist Church in 1829 by the Philadelphia architect Thomas U. Walter, one of the architects of the United States Capitol in Washington, DC. The facade was redesigned 20 years later in renaissance style, a stark contrast with the adjacent buildings in Federal and Georgian style. The two towers were topped by domes, but those were removed later. Another notable building is the St. Peter's Church. It was constructed between 1758 and 1761 by Robert Smith. The design of the Anglican church is very sober with a simple six-story high tower. The wooden steeple was added much later, in 1759.