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Before joining the South Philly Review staff in 1998, I was shown a copy of the commemorative 50th Anniversary issue. It was an impressive collection of news/history spanning the previous five decades.
Little did I know that 14 years later I would be sitting at this desk helping to plan the South Philly Review’s 65th Anniversary issue. The first step was coming up with a theme. This wasn’t like a Spring or Fall Guide where there would be another edition next year. After several months of brainstorming the idea finally clicked: Let’s recognize other businesses and places around the community also celebrating milestones. We reached out to our readers and neighbors to share their anniversary stories.
At the time, little did we realize the list of potential profiles would end up being six, single-spaced typed pages. Managing Editor Amanda L. Snyder and her crack research team spent several weeks compiling the extensive list. It included places dating back to the 1600s — Gloria Dei (Old Swedes’) Church — and the 1800s — Jefferson Square Park, Methodist Hospital and the Italian Market to name a few. The early-1900s includes a wide variety of places ranging from churches to libraries to restaurants and so much more.
Along the way, many of these establishments weathered the economic storms of two World Wars, the Great Depression and, more recently, the recession. Like the blizzards of 2009-10, the path eventually cleared. Many credit the secret to their success to third- and fourth-generations of family members having a passion for keeping the businesses going.
There is an endless number of other places worthy of recognition and we apologize if you feel left out. This issue is a sampling of some of the schools, churches, parks, libraries, restaurants and other businesses that have been around for 50 years or more.
Of course, the South Philly Review wouldn’t exist today if it weren’t for all of loyal readers and supporters out there for making us a part of their lives every Thursday. We even appreciate you angry callers that complain about not getting your paper as it shows how passionate you are about your community news.
Here’s to another 65 years of reporting your stories!
South Philly Milestones
The Pre-1900s
The 1900s
The 1910s
The 1920s
The 1930s
The 1940s
The 1950s and ’60s
Contact Editor Bill Gelman at bgelman@southphillyreview.com or ext. 121.
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