Category: history

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Historical Society to Celebrate the Eagles with the Frankford Yellow Jackets

The Historical Society of Frankford, at the meeting on March 13th at 7 PM, will celebrate the Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl win with a display their extensive collection of Frankford Yellow Jackets memorabilia for viewing and discussion. The Frankford Yellow Jackets, the original Philadelphia NFL franchise, won the NFL Championship in 1926.

Frankford Yellow Jackets 1926 – from Wikimedia Commons

There will also be the Annual report and election of Board Members, a guest appearance by State Representative Jason Dawkins to discuss how his office can be of service to HSF and the neighborhood.

The meeting is open to the public and will be held at the Historical Society of Frankford at 1507 Orthodox Street.  Admission is free but donations are very welcome.

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Transit-rich and ripe for revival, Frankford struggles to make space for Penn Fruit landmark – Philly

Philly.com turns the spotlight on Frankford today and aims it at the old Holiday Thriftway at Pratt and Frankford.  It is a landmark and yet it is still vacant 2 years after Thriftway closed.

It sounds like either nobody wants to use it or more likely, Rite Aid, the owner of the property, has no incentive to cooperate in turning it over to a new owner.  Read the story at the link below.

An iconic 1950s supermarket is now shuttered, and a debate has grown over how best to reuse the historically preserved property in Frankford, where revitalization is much needed.

Source: Transit-rich and ripe for revival, Frankford struggles to make space for Penn Fruit landmark – Philly

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Frankford Memories from 2001

The video below was produced back in 2001 when there was a great deal of very positive activity on Frankford Avenue.   The five people who were interviewed for their recollections of Frankford give first person accounts of things we can now only read about.  It is only about 20 minutes long but well worth seeing again. Thanks to Joe Menkevich for digging up the old VHS tape.

Skin of Our Teeth Pictures

Presents

A Lion Theater Production

Frankford Memories

Written and Directed by

Francesco Muto and Randall Bowes

In Association with

The Historical Society of Frankford

and

The Frankford United Neighbors CDC

Recorded in October of 2001

Screened at the Frankford Arts Festival at the Historical Society of Frankford

Interviewees:

Dr. Irving Smiler – Doctor of Podiatric Medicine, Frankford

Zelma Banes – St. Mark’s Church, Frankford

Myrtle Macintosh – Rehoboth Methodist Church, Frankford

Dr. Leon Johnston – Retired School District of Philadelphia teacher and administrator

Jean Seder – Author, “Voices of Kensington”

 

 

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Kitty Foyle was a Nice Girl from Frankford

Ginger Rogers won the Oscar for her performance in the title role of the 1940 Movie “Kitty Foyle” about the star crossed love between a girl from Frankford and the son of an aristocratic Main Line Family. The book upon which the movie is based, written by Christopher Morley, contained much coverage of her early years in Frankford but that part of the story line did not make it to the screen.

Ginger Rogers as Kitty Foyle

Although it would not have had much meaning to a nationwide movie audience, that omitted part is very interesting to Frankford residents and will be presented by Jim Young, President of the Society.  He has some new previously unknown details along with a display of artifacts associated with the missing information.

Come to the Historical Society of Frankford meeting on December 12th at 7:30 PM for the presentation and the Annual Holiday Tea- Please bring sandwiches or desserts to share.  Admission Free – Donations Accepted

1507 Orthodox St. Philadelphia, Pa 19124

www.frankfordhistoricalsociety.org

215-743-6030

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Catch a Stagecoach on Frankford Avenue

The Historical Society of Frankford Presents

1507 Orthodox Street

Philadelphia PA 19124

Stagecoach Travel Along the King’s Highway

With Charles Moody

November 14, 2017 7:30 PM

Charles will present the results of his research on stagecoach travel during the early 1800’s along the King’s Highway that connected Philadelphia with New York with some newly added content. Unpaved roads with deep ruts and tree stumps were common obstacles to a smooth ride. Toll gates and inns were prevalent and the journey’s progress was measured by roadside mile markers.

Some of the stops along Frankford Ave. included the Seven Stars Hotel, the Jolly Post, the Red Lion Inn and the Cedar Hill Hotel.

The 7 Stars Hotel – Frankford Avenue and Oxford Avenue – Now the site of the Citizens Bank

Refreshments served after the lecture

Admission Free-Donations accepted