Society Hill

Society Hill, one of Philadelphia’s oldest residential neighborhoods, has a rich history dating back to the early 1680s when it was first settled by the English Quakers. The area gained its name from the Free Society of Traders, a group of merchants and landowners who were granted land there by William Penn. Throughout the 18th and early 19th centuries, Society Hill flourished as a hub of commerce and high society, with grand Federal and Georgian-style townhouses, cobblestone streets, and bustling marketplaces.

However, as the city expanded westward in the 19th century, Society Hill gradually declined. Industry and overcrowding led to deteriorating conditions, and by the early 20th century, it had become a neglected area filled with dilapidated buildings and blighted tenements. The once-prestigious neighborhood was in danger of being lost to decay and demolition.

Recognizing its historical significance, city officials and planners, led by Edmund Bacon in the 1950s, launched an ambitious urban renewal project. Bacon envisioned a plan that preserved the neighborhood’s colonial-era architecture while introducing modern urban planning principles. Unlike other urban renewal efforts that relied heavily on demolition, Bacon’s approach focused on rehabilitation. With the help of federal funding and private investment, historic homes were restored, green spaces were added, and pedestrian-friendly streets were designed to create an attractive, livable environment.

The revival of Society Hill was a resounding success, transforming it into one of Philadelphia’s most desirable and affluent neighborhoods. Today, it boasts one of the largest collections of preserved 18th- and early 19th-century buildings in the United States, with charming brick rowhouses, tree-lined streets, and landmarks such as the Merchants’ Exchange Building and the Old Pine Street Church. In recognition of its thoughtful preservation and sustainable urban renewal, the American Planning Association named Society Hill one of America’s great neighborhoods in 2008.