Bella Vista, Italian for "beautiful sight", is a

neighborhood A neighbourhood (Commonwealth English) or neighborhood (American English) is a geographically localized community within a larger town, city, suburb or rural area, sometimes consisting of a single street and the buildings lining it. Neigh ...

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."." ''City of Philadelphia''. Retrieved November 8, ...

section of

Philadelphia Philadelphia ( ), colloquially referred to as Philly, is the List of municipalities in Pennsylvania, most populous city in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and the List of United States cities by population, sixth-most populous city in the Unit ...

Pennsylvania Pennsylvania, officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a U.S. state, state spanning the Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern United States, Northeastern, Appalachian, and Great Lakes region, Great Lakes regions o ...

, United States. 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 Moyamensing is an area of Philadelphia established as a Moyamensing Township during British colonial rule on the fast land of the Neck, lying between Passyunk Square, Philadelphia, Passyunk and Wicaco. It was Act of Consolidation, 1854, incor ...

. 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 The ''New-York Tribune'' (from 1914: ''New York Tribune'') was an American newspaper founded in 1841 by editor Horace Greeley. It bore the moniker ''New-York Daily Tribune'' from 1842 to 1866 before returning to its original name. From the 1840s ...

'' noted in 1848 that the districts of Moyamensing and nearby

Southwark Southwark ( ) is a district of Central London situated on the south bank of the River Thames, forming the north-western part of the wider modern London Borough of Southwark. The district, which is the oldest part of South London, developed ...

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 college 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) 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 moved to other areas of South Philly. As they did in adjacent Queen Village, 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 whereby the character of a neighborhood changes through the influx of more affluent residents (the "gentry") and investment. There is no agreed-upon definition of gentrification. In public discourse, it has been us ...

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, 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, 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 Federal government of the United States, United States federal government's official United States National Register of Historic Places listings, list of sites, buildings, structures, Hist ...

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 heritage. The commission cares for hist ...

that commemorate individuals, events, and landmarks. Frank Gasparro (1909-2001) - Designer of the reverse side of the Lincoln Penny and, with Gilroy Roberts, the Kennedy half-dollar. Born and educated in classical art in

, Gasparro was first employed as a junior engraver by the

U.S. Mint The United States Mint is a bureau of the Department of the Treasury responsible for producing coinage for the United States to conduct its trade and commerce, as well as controlling the movement of bullion. The U.S. Mint is one of two U.S. age ...

in 1942. By 1965, he was appointed by President Lyndon Johnson 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 the 34th president of the United States, serving from 1953 to 1961. During World War II, he was Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionar ...

and Susan B. Anthony dollars. (727 Carpenter St. - 2002) Frances E.W. Harper (1825-1911) - An author, lecturer, and

social activist Activism consists of efforts to promote, impede, direct or intervene in social, political, economic or environmental reform with the desire to make Social change, changes in society toward a perceived common good. Forms of activism range from ...

, Harper lived here and devoted her life to championing the rights of

slaves Slavery is the ownership of a person as property, especially in regards to their labour. Slavery typically involves compulsory work, with the slave's location of work and residence dictated by the party that holds them in bondage. Enslavemen ...

and free Blacks. She advocated education as a way of advancement for

Black Americans African Americans, also known as Black Americans and formerly also called Afro-Americans, are an Race and ethnicity in the United States, American racial and ethnic group that consists of Americans who have total or partial ancestry from an ...

. (1006 Bainbridge St. - 1992) House of Industry - Founded 1846, this was

's first such institution.

Irish Catholics Irish Catholics () are an ethnoreligious group native to Ireland, defined by their adherence to Catholic Christianity and their shared Irish ethnic, linguistic, and cultural heritage.The term distinguishes Catholics of Irish descent, particul ...

, other immigrants, and 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 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 member of the clergy who is entrusted with a position of Episcopal polity, authority and oversight in a religious institution. In Christianity, bishops are normally responsible for the governance and administration of di ...

. New churches were dedicated here in 1854 and 1891. The

Delaware Valley The Philadelphia metropolitan area, also known as Greater Philadelphia and informally called the Delaware Valley, the Philadelphia tri-state area, and locally and colloquially Philly–Jersey–Delaware, is a major metropolitan area in the Nor ...

'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 ...

." Classically trained as a child, Venuti went to

grade school A primary school (in Ireland, India, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, South Africa, and Singapore), elementary school, or grade school (in North America and the Philippines) is a school for primary ...

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. (northeast corner S. 8th & Fitzwater Sts. - 1997) Giannini Family - Acclaimed operatic family. Father,

tenor A tenor is a type of male singing voice whose vocal range lies between the countertenor and baritone voice types. It is the highest male chest voice type. Composers typically write music for this voice in the range from the second B below m ...

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

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

soprano A soprano () is a type of classical singing voice and has the highest vocal range of all voice types. The soprano's vocal range (using scientific pitch notation) is from approximately middle C (C4) = 261 Hertz, Hz to A5 in Choir, choral ...

. Son Vittorio (1903–66) was a

composer A composer is a person who writes music. The term is especially used to indicate composers of Western classical music, or those who are composers by occupation. Many composers are, or were, also skilled performers of music. Etymology and def ...

and taught at Curtis Institute and

Juilliard The Juilliard School ( ) is a private performing arts conservatory in New York City. Founded by Frank Damrosch as the Institute of Musical Art in 1905, the school later added dance and drama programs and became the Juilliard School, named aft ...

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

Civil War A civil war is a war between organized groups within the same Sovereign state, 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.J ...

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" (song), a single by That Petrol Emotion * Keen Records, American record label * Keening, traditional Irish la ...

, 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 Frank Gasparro, former chief engraver for

, 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. Whil ...

, 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. 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. (northeast corner of 9th & Christian Sts. - 2007) Engine Company No. 11 - One of 22 fire companies established under the Philadelphia Fire Department in 1871. In 1919, it became a segregated

African American African Americans, also known as Black Americans and formerly also called Afro-Americans, are an Race and ethnicity in the United States, American racial and ethnic group that consists of Americans who have total or partial ancestry from an ...

unit whose members distinguished themselves through professional service. Desegregated 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 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 M. Adger (1837-1910) - Businessman,

activist Activism consists of efforts to promote, impede, direct or intervene in social, political, economic or environmental reform with the desire to make changes in society toward a perceived common good. Forms of activism range from mandate build ...

bibliophile A bookworm or bibliophile is an individual who loves and frequently reads or collects books. Bibliophilia or bibliophilism is the love of books. Bibliophiles may have large, specialized book collections. They may highly value old editions, aut ...

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 Jazz guitar may refer to either a type of electric guitar or a guitar playing style in jazz, using Guitar amplifier, electric amplification to increase the volume of acoustic guitars. In the early 1930s, jazz musicians sought to amplify their ...

." 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 Jazz 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 193 ...

, the Dorseys, and others. He was

Bing Crosby Harry Lillis "Bing" Crosby Jr. (May 3, 1903 – October 14, 1977) was an American singer, comedian, entertainer and actor. The first multimedia star, he was one of the most popular and influential musical artists of the 20th century worldwi ...

'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 a ...

(1921-1959) - The beloved

was born here as Alfredo Cocozza. Here as a boy, he learned the arias of many operas and went on to become a radio, concert and record artist. After signing with M-G-M in 1947, Lanza made seven films; had the title role in " The Great Caruso," 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 List of Christian denominations by number of members, largest Christian church, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptized Catholics Catholic Church by country, worldwid ...

, 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 deity, deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in parti ...

, Phillips transformed the Church of the Crucifixion into a Black cultural center, known for its social outreach. He was a founder of the 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 Philadelphia's Magic Gardens is a non-profit organization, folk art environment, and gallery space on South Street (Philadelphia), South Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. To date, it is the largest work created by mosaic artist Isaiah Zagar ...

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 State schools, public schools in Philadelphia. Established in 1818, it is the largest school district in Pennsylvania and the eighth-lar ...

operates the neighborhood's public schools. Bella Vista contains portions of the catchment area served by Fanny Jackson Coppin School (formerly Andrew Jackson Elementary School),

William M. Meredith School William M. Meredith School is a public K-8 school located in the Queen Village, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Queen Village neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is a part of the School District of Philadelphia. ''Note:'' This includes ...

, 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 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 the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is the 16th-largest public library system in the United States. The Free Library of Philadelphia is a non-Mayoral agency of the ...

operates the Charles Santore Branch, serving Bella Vista. Before 2004 Santore was known as the Southwark Branch. File:Charles Santore Branch, Free Library of Philadelphia.jpg, Santore Branch

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 English bowls and French , with a common ancestry from anc ...

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 Italian-American culture in Philadelphia Little Italys in the United States Neighborhoods in Philadelphia South Philadelphia