Fishtown, with all the major changes since the 1980's is unique to most parts of the city. Here remains the structural integrity of "Olde City" residential courts. These dwellings have been expanded from "father, son, holy ghost" houses or less, as originally built, to accommodate the earlier need for real estate development. These dwellings maintain the architectural characteristics of the neighborhood, whereas, mostly all new construction has been compared to the plight on London.
Eight courts remain intact in the immediate area of Fishtown. There is some depute whether another court once occupied Hewson Street at the corner of Cedar Street. The previous owner of the properties said that it is not so. Many old timer's refer to them as a court even if they weren't enclosed. They sat back about fifteen (15) feet from the curb with a step up before reaching the front steps. They too were "father, son, holy ghost" houses.
There are other courts that disappeared in the last fifty (50) years as told by a life long neighbor and his friend.
This article has been edited to include photographs of "Crease Street" the eighth court. This intact and occupied court is on the 1000 block of Crease Street just before I-95. It has five renovated houses or units which is accessible by a sturdy door. The court is across the street from the historic "Kensington Soup House", dated 1844-1870. It remained operational well into the mid to late 20th century. I was told that it closed only a few years ago because of a lack of funds and donations of food.
Marie, a charming and welcoming lady, lives just beyond the soup kitchen. She did not know the name of the Crease Street court: "I remember that it was always there."
Yes folks. I knock on people's doors to talk so to gather information. (Knock on a door and then stand back by the curb. This puts people at ease when answering the door and to see that there is a safe distance between them and a stranger.)
Joe F answered his door after a few knocks and saw me standing in the street. I did not approach him until he came out onto his front step and was comfortable talking about the court.
We also discovered that I knew his family as a long time neighbors from were I grew up. Joe and I talked at length but he also did not know the name of the court. Joe then told me that he lived in this house all his life: Joe is sixty-five (65) years old. (Joe passed about year later.)
The conversation stepped up a notch or two when Joe's friend and neighbor, Kevin, who lives around the corner at Marlborough and Wildey St, stopped by to talk. Kevin said, in agreement with Joe, that a court was torn down nearer the same corner years ago. A bread bakery now stands there.
We three talked about how Crease Street and many other streets once ran through to the river or Richmond St before they were blocked by I-95 back in the late 1960's and 1970's.
I-95 planning and construction put the final nail in the coffin of the
route No.8 trolley line: Richmond Street to 33rd Street and Ridge Avenue. Route No.8 ran on Susquehanna and Norris Street in Fishtown. This was the Connie Mack Stadium route ( one block away on York Street) as the secret alternative from the Lehigh Ave Route 54 which was always packed with a crush of people.
Joe F. described a court, Hammits Ave or alley, that was torn down on Crease Street where I-95 is. It also removed portions of Emery and Salmon St. We knew of the seven other courts being mentioned here. We even talked about the train yard which was on York Street where the Port Richmond Shopping Center is located.
Three neighbors and I also talked at length who lived across Wildey Street on Crease. They knew my extended family, my mom's, that lived on Columbia Avenue between Belgrade and Frankford. That was fifty (50) years of memories that added into the hours of conversation. It happens during a, should I say, brief walk in the neighborhood. I wouldn't change a thing. My last conversation was meeting the owners of the new "Art of Pizza" before I got home. These guys are alright by me. Stop in. (they're closed now) I can't tell about all the twelve conversations. I'm just glad to have been a part of it all. Below are the photographs of all the known occupied courts in Fishtown. Enjoy and learn.
Please comment if you're aware of any other courts that I missed or if you know the names of them and those un-named here or incorrectly named.
Earl Court
Earl Court as seen from Willig Avenue
Miller Court: Five houses on the opposite side were torn down in the late 1960's. The old Holy Name school yard has since occupied that area.
Hewson Street across from Miller Court: I don't know its name. This use to be eight units but was converted into four. This block of Hewson Street also had one of the cities last gas street lights that was removed in the mid 1960's. A man use to light it every day near night fall.
Hewson Street Court as seen from Belgrade Street
Dakota Street Court: There were eight units but two were torn down. The remaining six were converted into three houses.
Dakota Street Court was demolished in 2016. Seven 3-story, 5 or 6 rooms houses replaces it.
Lewis Court on Moyer St
George Street Court: Seven or eight units converted into five units.
Shackamaxon Court: I don't know its original configuration. An elderly neighbor told me that this court was constructed sixty or seventy years ago. A family member house was there but torn down when he was a child. The court, afterwards, was built. Please tell me what you know to set the record straight.
1000 Crease Street
The building in the background is where the other Wildey St court houses stood.
A veiw From I-95
Hewson and Cedar Sts: This is the disputed site of what once may have been a court.
I'm thankful for the many neighborhood people that spent time recalling their memories of the original make up of the courts and those who once lived there. We spent many hours together, strangers getting to know each other, remembering what once was and their thoughts and feelings about the most recent changes in the neighborhood for better and for worst.
all photos and story by roman blazic_all rights reserved
