1950 Map of Frankford

About this map

Frankford and the industrial riverfront of Northeast Philadelphia define this mid-century survey, showcasing a densely developed landscape at the height of its manufacturing and institutional significance. The Delaware River forms a vital economic artery, bordered by massive facilities such as the Frankford Arsenal and the House of Correction. Inland, the map reveals the intricate residential and social fabric of neighborhoods like Wissinoming, Tacony, and Mayfair. These communities are bound together by the sprawling Pennypack Park and a complex web of transportation, including the Reading Railroad and the Pennsylvania Railroad. Educational and medical institutions serve as local anchors, from Ogontz College and Cheltenham High Sch to Friends Hospital and Jeanes Hospital. This record captures the transition from established urban centers to burgeoning residential developments like Northeast Village, reflecting the post-war expansion of the city into the surrounding Montgomery County borderlands.