Kensington
Kensington is a neighborhood in Philadelphia that sits between Lower Northeast and North Philadelphia. It encompasses several smaller distinct areas, including East Kensington, Harrowgate, Lower Kensington, West Kensington, Fishtown and Olde Richmond. The actual borders are actually debated, however its general location is consistently agreed upon by Philly natives.
Kensington traces its roots back to the 1730's when immigrant Anthony Palmer purchased an estate in what is now Northern Liberties. He began to sell parcels of the estate to shipwrights and shipbuilders, as well as to German immigrants. Throughout its history, Kensington was known as one of the greatest working class centers in the city. During the 18th century, shipbuilding and fishing dominated its economy. However by the early 1800's steel and iron manufacturing began to take over, and eventually by the mid-19th century the textile industry was booming. The neighborhood was very healthy and productive over the next century, until the 1950's brought about a wave of deindustrialization.
This economic shift resulted in major population losses in the neighborhood, high unemployment and the abandonment of many properties in the area. Kensington began to become notorious in the Greater Philadelphia Area for its troubles with gang and gun violence, and drug sales and abuse. While the majority of the neighborhood is still plagued by these struggles today, the southern end of the area has begun to gentrify, especially in Fishtown.
Kensington traces its roots back to the 1730's when immigrant Anthony Palmer purchased an estate in what is now Northern Liberties. He began to sell parcels of the estate to shipwrights and shipbuilders, as well as to German immigrants. Throughout its history, Kensington was known as one of the greatest working class centers in the city. During the 18th century, shipbuilding and fishing dominated its economy. However by the early 1800's steel and iron manufacturing began to take over, and eventually by the mid-19th century the textile industry was booming. The neighborhood was very healthy and productive over the next century, until the 1950's brought about a wave of deindustrialization.
This economic shift resulted in major population losses in the neighborhood, high unemployment and the abandonment of many properties in the area. Kensington began to become notorious in the Greater Philadelphia Area for its troubles with gang and gun violence, and drug sales and abuse. While the majority of the neighborhood is still plagued by these struggles today, the southern end of the area has begun to gentrify, especially in Fishtown.
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The two videos above were taken during a trip by car to the neighborhood. They both show timelapses of conditions underneath the elevated train tracks. The video on the left depicts the experience of a pedestrian at street level. The video on the right focuses on the experience by car or bus. Note: the videos can be slowed down for observation under more detail.