Olney | |
|---|---|
_-_Philadelphia,_1984.jpg) Olney Transportation Center in 1984 | |
  Olney Location of Olney in Philadelphia | |
| Coordinates: 40°02′02″N 75°07′16″W / 40.034°N 75.121°W | |
| Country |  United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Philadelphia |
| City | Philadelphia |
| Area code(s) | 215, 267, and 445 |
Olney (/ˈɒlni/ or locally /ˈɒləni/) is a neighborhood in the North Philadelphia section of Philadelphia. It is roughly bounded by Roosevelt Boulevard to the south, Tacony Creek to the east, Godfrey Avenue to the north, and the railroad right-of-way west of 7th Street to the west.
Although Olney is primarily a quiet residential neighborhood, portions do serve as major commercial centers for many surrounding groups. At 5th Street and Olney Avenue, there is a Korean-American business district, and Hispanic businesses are located in southern Olney.
Fisher Park is located in Olney. It is a 23-acre (93,000 m2) public park which was laid out and owned by Joseph Wharton, founder of Swarthmore College and the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. It was donated to the City of Philadelphia by Joseph in 1908 as a "Christmas gift" to Philadelphia. Fisher Park has a football field, basketball and tennis courts, and a wooded hiking area.
Olney is named after the estate of Alexander Wilson (not the ornithologist), who resided on Rising Sun Avenue, near Tacony Creek. Wilson chose the name for his residence because of his love for the poet William Cowper, of Olney, England. The mansion was demolished in 1924, but the name was applied to the growing village nearby.[1]
- ^ "Philly's Portuguese Connection". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 20 October 2021.