Bella Vista, Italian for "beautiful sight", is a neighborhood in the

South Philadelphia South Philadelphia, nicknamed South Philly, is the section of Philadelphia bounded by South Street to the north, the Delaware River to the east and south and the Schuylkill River to the west.Philadelphia Philadelphia, often called Philly, is the List of municipalities in Pennsylvania#Municipalities, largest city in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the List of United States cities by population, sixth-largest city i ...

Pennsylvania Pennsylvania (; ( Pennsylvania Dutch: )), officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a state spanning the Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern, Appalachian, and Great Lakes regions of the United States. It borders Delaware to its southeast, ...

. It is bounded by 6th Street, 11th Street, South Street and Washington Avenue.Philadelphia Neighborhoods and Place Names, A-K
" City of Philadelphia. Retrieved on October 4, 2011. "Between 6th and 11th Streets, South Street to Washington Avenue." It currently has a population of 5,898.

History

Prior to the Act of Consolidation of 1854, Bella Vista was part of the Moyamensing Township. It was sparsely settled until the 1840s and 1850s when it became an impoverished area on the outskirts of the industrializing city. The '' New York Tribune'' noted in 1848 that the districts of Moyamensing and nearby Southwark were composed of "the most graceless vagabonds and unmitigated ruffians" as well as "loafers" who were members of various gangs. In addition to Irish immigrants, it was also once home to a large portion of the city's population of African descent, many of whom were former slaves from the South. In 1852, the

Institute for Colored Youth The Institute for Colored Youth was founded in 1837 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. It became the first high school for African-Americans in the United States, although there were schools that admitted African Americans preceding it ...

, a school (and later college) for people of African descent, was established at 10th and Bainbridge. During the late 1800s, Italian immigrants began settling the area in large numbers, which reshaped the neighborhood's character. One of the earliest immigrants, Antonio Palumbo, opened a boardinghouse (

Palumbo's Palumbo's was a popular 20th century restaurant with nightclub entertainment located near the Italian Market section of South Philadelphia, Palumbo's included a banquet hall and Nostalgia's Restaurant. The format basically was an adaption of ...

) on the corner of 9th and Catharine in 1884 that became the social center of the neighborhood's growing Italian community. The planned construction of the South Street Expressway in the 1960s led to a drop in property values in the neighborhood. Many of the neighborhood's residents subsequently fled to the suburbs. As they did in adjacent

Queen Village Queen Village is a residential neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that lies along the eastern edge of the city in South Philadelphia. It shares boundaries with Society Hill to the north, Bella Vista to the west and Pennsport to the south ...

, developers and city planners attempted to rebrand the neighborhood and began referring to it as "Bella Vista" in the early 1970s. The city eventually scrapped plans for the second cross-town expressway. In the late 1970s, the neighborhood began to

gentrify Gentrification is the process of changing the character of a neighborhood through the influx of more affluent residents and businesses. It is a common and controversial topic in urban politics and planning. Gentrification often increases the ec ...

due to its proximity to Center City. In 1982, it was featured as a case study in Michael Lang's ''Gentrification Amid Urban Decline: Strategies for America's Older Cities''. During the same era, the neighborhood also experienced an influx of Vietnamese and Mexican immigrants, especially near Washington Ave. While much of the Italian-American community has moved deeper into South Philadelphia, i.e. further south of Bella Vista into neighborhoods such as

Marconi Plaza Marconi Plaza is an urban park square located in South Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The plaza was named to recognize the 20th-century cultural identity in Philadelphia of the surrounding Italian-American enclave neighborhood and beca ...

, many Italian shops and restaurants still remain clustered along the Italian Market on 9th Street. The Samuel S. Fleisher Art Memorial,

Frances Ellen Watkins Harper House The Frances Ellen Watkins Harper House is a historic row house at 1006 Bainbridge Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Of uncertain construction date, it was the home of Frances Ellen Watkins Harper (1825-1911) from 1870 until her death. ...

, George W. Nebinger School, and Washington Avenue Historic District are listed on the

National Register of Historic Places The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the United States federal government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance or "great artistic ...

Historical markers

Bronze plaques installed in Bella Vista by the

Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) is the governmental agency of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania responsible for the collection, conservation and interpretation of Pennsylvania's historic heritage. The commission cares fo ...

that commemorate individuals, events, and landmarks.

Frank Gasparro Frank Gasparro (August 26, 1909 – September 29, 2001) was the tenth Chief Engraver of the United States Mint, holding this position from February 23, 1965, to January 16, 1981. Before that, he was Assistant Engraver. He designed both sides of th ...

(1909-2001) - Designer of the reverse side of the

Lincoln Penny The Lincoln cent (sometimes called the Lincoln penny) is a one-cent coin that has been struck by the United States Mint since 1909. The obverse or heads side was designed by Victor David Brenner, as was the original reverse, depicting two stalks ...

and, with Gilroy Roberts, the Kennedy half-dollar. Born & educated in classical art in

Philadelphia Philadelphia, often called Philly, is the List of municipalities in Pennsylvania#Municipalities, largest city in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the List of United States cities by population, sixth-largest city i ...

, Gasparro was first employed as a junior engraver by the U.S. Mint in 1942. By 1965 he was appointed by

President Lyndon Johnson Lyndon Baines Johnson (; August 27, 1908January 22, 1973), often referred to by his initials LBJ, was an American politician who served as the 36th president of the United States from 1963 to 1969. He had previously served as the 37th vice ...

as the 10th Chief Engraver. Designed numerous coins and medals, including, the

Eisenhower Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower (born David Dwight Eisenhower; ; October 14, 1890 – March 28, 1969) was an American military officer and statesman who served as the 34th president of the United States from 1953 to 1961. During World War II, ...

& Susan B. Anthony dollar. (727 Carpenter St. - 2002)

Frances E.W. Harper Frances Ellen Watkins Harper (September 24, 1825 – February 22, 1911) was an American abolitionist, suffragist, poet, temperance activist, teacher, public speaker, and writer. Beginning in 1845, she was one of the first African-American women to ...

(1825-1911) - An author, lecturer, and

social activist Activism (or Advocacy) consists of efforts to promote, impede, direct or intervene in Social change, social, Political campaign, political, economic or Natural environment, environmental reform with the desire to make Social change, changes i ...

, Harper lived here and devoted her life to championing the rights of slaves and free Blacks. She advocated education as a way of advancement for Black Americans. (1006 Bainbridge St. - 1992) House of Industry - Founded 1846, this was

's first such institution. Irish Catholics, other immigrants, & native-born were its constituency. Services to the needy included training programs for persons seeking work, designed to encourage their ultimate independence. (714 Catharine St. - 1991)

- Begun as a farm school. In 1852 it became one of the first schools to train

Blacks Black is a racialized classification of people, usually a political and skin color-based category for specific populations with a mid to dark brown complexion. Not all people considered "black" have dark skin; in certain countries, often in ...

for skilled trades and teaching. It gained recognition here under Fanny J. Coppin, principal, 1869-1902. Relocated, it later became Cheyney University. (915 Bainbridge St. - 1992) St Mary Magdalen De Pazzi Parish - Founded in 1852 as the first Italian national parish in the U.S. by St. John N. Neumann,

Bishop A bishop is an ordained clergy member who is entrusted with a position of authority and oversight in a religious institution. In Christianity, bishops are normally responsible for the governance of dioceses. The role or office of bishop is c ...

. New churches were dedicated here, 1854 & 1891. The Delaware Valley's largest Italian community became centered in this neighborhood. (714 Montrose St. - 1994) Joe Venuti (1903-1978) - "Father of

Jazz Violin Jazz violin is the use of the violin or electric violin to improvise solo lines. Early jazz violinists included: Eddie South, who played violin with Jimmy Wade's Dixielanders in Chicago; Stuff Smith; and Claude "Fiddler" Williams. Joe Venuti wa ...

." Classically trained as a child, Venuti went to grade school here. He introduced new string techniques; worked with his close friend, guitarist Eddie Lang, 1921-33. Led own band, 1935-43; was on screen & radio. Major comeback in 1968. (NE corner S. 8th & Fitzwater Sts. - 1997) Giannini Family - Acclaimed operatic family. Father,

tenor A tenor is a type of classical male singing voice whose vocal range lies between the countertenor and baritone voice types. It is the highest male chest voice type. The tenor's vocal range extends up to C5. The low extreme for tenors is wide ...

Ferruccio (1868-1948), sung on first disc, 1896. Daughter Dusolina (1900–86) was a

Metropolitan Opera The Metropolitan Opera (commonly known as the Met) is an American opera company based in New York City, resident at the Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center, currently situated on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. The company is oper ...

soprano. Son Vittorio (1903–66) was a composer & taught at Curtis Institute and

Juilliard The Juilliard School ( ) is a private performing arts conservatory in New York City. Established in 1905, the school trains about 850 undergraduate and graduate students in dance, drama, and music. It is widely regarded as one of the most elit ...

. Resided here. (735 Christian St. - 2005) Christian Street Hospital - First

Civil War A civil war or intrastate war is a war between organized groups within the same state (or country). The aim of one side may be to take control of the country or a region, to achieve independence for a region, or to change government policies ...

U.S. Army Hospital, founded May, 1861. Here Drs. Mitchell,

Keen Keen, Keen's, or Keens may refer to: People *Keen (surname) *Thomas Keens (1870-1953), British politician Music and song * Keen (band), Italian band * Keen (song), "Keen" (song), a single by That Petrol Emotion * Keen Records, American record ...

, Morehouse, and others used electric current, drugs, and other experiments in pioneering treatment of nerve and related disorders. Closed 1865. (924 Christian St. - 2005) Samuel S. Fleisher Art Memorial - Founded in 1898 as the Graphic Sketch Club; oldest free community art school in the United States. Nearly 5,000 students study art here annually. Alumni include

, former chief engraver for U.S. Mint, and

Louis Kahn Louis Isadore Kahn (born Itze-Leib Schmuilowsky; – March 17, 1974) was an Estonian-born American architect based in Philadelphia. After working in various capacities for several firms in Philadelphia, he founded his own atelier in 1935. Whi ...

, renowned

architect An architect is a person who plans, designs and oversees the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to provide services in connection with the design of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the buildings that h ...

. (719 Catharine St. - 2005) South 9th Street Curb Market - One of several curb markets established in the early 20th century to counter high prices and food shortages during

WWI World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...

. The 9th St. Market has survived despite anti-immigrant sentiments and criticisms regarding sanitary conditions and traffic congestion. Neighborhood businesses offered fresh produce and a variety of ethnic specialty foods. It has evolved from a local community market to become a popular

icon. (NE corner of 9th & Christian Sts. - 2007) Engine Company No. 11 - One of 22 fire companies established under the

Philadelphia Fire Department The Philadelphia Fire Department provides fire protection and emergency medical services (EMS) to the city of Philadelphia. The PFD's official mission is to protect public safety by quick and professional response to emergencies and through the pro ...

in 1871. In 1919, it became a segregated

African American African Americans (also referred to as Black Americans and Afro-Americans) are an ethnic group consisting of Americans with partial or total ancestry from sub-Saharan Africa. The term "African American" generally denotes descendants of ens ...

unit whose members distinguished themselves through professional service.

Desegregated Desegregation is the process of ending the separation of two groups, usually referring to races. Desegregation is typically measured by the index of dissimilarity, allowing researchers to determine whether desegregation efforts are having impact o ...

in 1952. (1016 South St. at Alder - 2005) Octavius V. Catto (1839-1871) - An early graduate of the

, Catto, who lived here, was an educator,

Union army During the American Civil War, the Union Army, also known as the Federal Army and the Northern Army, referring to the United States Army, was the land force that fought to preserve the Union of the collective states. It proved essential to th ...

major, and political organizer. In 1871 he was assassinated by rioters while urging Blacks to vote. His death was widely mourned. (812 South St. - 1992) Robert Mara Adger (1837-1910) - Businessman, activist,

bibliophile Bibliophilia or bibliophilism is the love of books. A bibliophile or bookworm is an individual who loves and frequently reads and/or collects books. Profile The classic bibliophile is one who loves to read, admire and collect books, often ama ...

lived here. Director, Philadelphia Building & Loan Assn., pioneering Black firm. Amassed and donated a major collection of rare books, pamphlets on Blacks, antislavery. Founded Afro-American Historical Society. (823 South St. at Darien St. - 1993) Eddie Lang - "Father of Jazz Guitar." He was born Salvatore Massaro in 1902 and lived in this area as a boy. An accomplished soloist, Lang worked with Joe Venuti,

Paul Whiteman Paul Samuel Whiteman (March 28, 1890 – December 29, 1967) was an American bandleader, composer, orchestral director, and violinist. As the leader of one of the most popular dance bands in the United States during the 1920s and early 1930s, W ...

, the Dorseys, and others. He was Bing Crosby's accompanist when death cut short Lang's career in 1933. (S. 7th St. just N. of Clymer St. - 1995)

Mario Lanza Mario Lanza (, ; born Alfredo Arnold Cocozza ; January 31, 1921 – October 7, 1959) was an American tenor and actor. He was a Hollywood film star popular in the late 1940s and the 1950s. Lanza began studying to be a professional singer at ...

(1921-1959) - The beloved

was born here as Alfredo Cocozza. Here as a boy he learned the arias of many operas. Became a radio, concert, record artist. After signing with

M-G-M Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., also known as Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures and abbreviated as MGM, is an American film, television production, distribution and media company owned by Amazon through MGM Holdings, founded on April 17, 1924 ...

in 1947, he made seven films; had the title role in "

The Great Caruso ''The Great Caruso'' is a 1951 biographical film made by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and starring Mario Lanza as Enrico Caruso. It was directed by Richard Thorpe and produced by Joe Pasternak with Jesse L. Lasky as associate producer from a screenpla ...

," 1951. (634-636 Christian St. - 1993) Henry L. Phillips (1847-1935) - Baptized a

Catholic The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.3 billion baptized Catholics worldwide . It is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions, and has played a ...

, reared a Moravian, and ordained an Episcopal

priest A priest is a religious leader authorized to perform the sacred rituals of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and one or more deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in partic ...

, Phillips transformed the Church of the Crucifixion into a Black cultural center, known for its social outreach. He was a founder, American Negro Historical Society. (620 S. 8th St. - 1993) File:Institute for Colored Youth Building Historical Marker 915 Bainbridge St Philadelphia PA (DSC 2640).jpg, Institute for Colored Youth Building Historical Marker File:Octavius V Catto Home Historical Marker 812 South St Philadelphia PA (DSC 2644).jpg, Octavius V Catto Home Historical Marker File:Christian Street Hospital Historical Marker 924 Christian St Philadelphia PA (DSC 2788).jpg, Christian Street Hospital Historical Marker File:Eddie Lang Historical Marker 701 Clymer St Philadelphia PA (DSC 2659).jpg, Eddie Lang Historical Marker File:Frances E W Harper Historical Marker 1006 Bainbridge St Philadelphia PA (DSC 2931).jpg, Frances Ellen Watkins Harper Historical Marker File:Giannini Family Historical Marker 735 Christian St Philadelphia PA (DSC 2783).jpg, Giannini Family Historical Marker File:Henry L Phillips Historical Marker 620 S 8th St Philadelphia PA (DSC 2647).jpg, Henry L Phillips Historical Marker File:House of Industry Historical Marker 714-716 Catharine St Philadelphia PA (DSC 2656).jpg, House of Industry Historical Marker File:Robert Mara Adger Historical Marker 823 South St at Darien St Philadelphia PA (DSC 2928).jpg, Robert Mara Adger Historical Marker File:Samuel S Fleisher Art Memorial Historical Marker 719 Catharine St Philadelphia PA (DSC 2654).jpg, Samuel S Fleisher Art Memorial Historical Marker File:South 9th Street Curb Market Historical Marker NE corner of 9th & Christian Sts Philadelphia PA (DSC 2798).jpg, South 9th Street Curb Market Historical Marker File:St Mary Magdalen De Pazzi Parish Historical Marker 714 Montrose St Philadelphia PA (DSC 2793).jpg, St Mary Magdalen De Pazzi Parish Historical Marker

Present day

Commercial activity within Bella Vista is focused around the 9th Street Market and South Street Headhouse District. Bella Vista was voted 2016 best neighborhood to live in Philadelphia by Niche.com and is undergoing a new residential construction housing boom to meet demand; in some cases adaptively reusing, in other cases replacing existing structures by destroying historic and culturally significant buildings including the Christian Street Baptist Church. The neighborhood is served by the Bella Vista Neighbors Association (BVNA), as the primary Registered Community Organization (RCO) in Bella Vista. BVNA holds zoning hearings, safety awareness, cleanup and beautification, coordinates delivery of city services, provides a public forum, and holds social events. The neighborhood is served by Police Service Area 1 (PSA1) of the 3rd District, operating out of the South Street Mini Station, as well as the main municipal building at 11th and Wharton Streets.

Culture

Annual festivals in the neighborhood include the Italian Market Festival. The Fleisher Art Memorial and Philadelphia's Magic Gardens are two large non-profit cultural institutions located within Bella Vista, along with the DaVinci Art Alliance, Jed Williams Gallery, and others. Prior to Halloween, La Calaca Flaca and Fleischer Art Memorial organize and present a Día de los Muertos Altar Celebration and Procession. The first event took place in 2013.

Education

The

School District of Philadelphia The School District of Philadelphia (SDP) is the school district that includes all school district-operated public schools in Philadelphia. Established in 1818, it is the 8th largest school district in the nation, by enrollment, serving over 200 ...

operates the neighborhood's public schools. Bella Vista contains portions of the catchment area served by Andrew Jackson Elementary School, William M. Meredith School, and George W. Nebinger School. All three K-8 schools are at or nearing capacity and are highly in demand. All residents of Bella Vista are zoned to

Furness High School Horace Howard Furness High School is a secondary (9th-12th) school in South Philadelphia. It is part of the School District of Philadelphia. Portions of South Philadelphia (including Bella Vista, Passyunk Square, Pennsport, Queen Village, an ...

.Horace Furness High School Geographic Boundaries

Archive
.

. Retrieved on October 4, 2011. The

Free Library of Philadelphia The Free Library of Philadelphia is the public library system that serves Philadelphia. It is the 13th-largest public library system in the United States. The Free Library of Philadelphia is a non-Mayoral agency of the City of Philadelphia gover ...

operates the Charles Santore Branch (formerly Southwark Branch), serving Bella Vista.

Public parks

Bella Vista is home to Cianfrani Park, located at 8th and Fitzwater Streets; Bardascino Park, 10th and Carpenter Streets on the former site of Touro Hall and Community Hospital; Palumbo Park
www.palumbopark.org
700 block of Catherine Street; the Palumbo Recreation Center, 10th and Fitzwater Streets, and adjacent to Starr Garden, 6th and Lombard Streets. Each park is supported through the volunteer efforts of its own Friends of Parks group, which helps maintain and raise funds to support the maintenance of the park and its trees and plants. The volunteer groups also produce public events in the parks such as summer concert series, yoga, and outdoor movies. Bardascino Park hosts a neighborhood

bocce (, or , ), sometimes anglicized as bocce ball, bocci or boccie, is a ball sport belonging to the boules family. Developed into its present form in Italy, it is closely related to British bowls and French , with a common ancestry from ancie ...

league. Bella Vista features a permanent community garden at 10th and Kimball Streets.

References

External links

Bella Vista Neighbors AssociationHistoric Photographs of Bella Vista
''Philly''History.org {{Authority control Neighborhoods in Philadelphia Italian-American culture in Philadelphia Little Italys in the United States South Philadelphia