August 3–10, 2000

naked city

Border Lines

Another in an occasional series on the look and texture of Philadelphia neighborhoods.

photography by Kass Mencher

Queen Village

Where: Delaware River to Sixth Street, Washington Avenue to Lombard Street

Who: Professionals, transportation execs, restaurateurs; long-standing Italian, Polish and African-American communities; the polyglot populace of South Street and environs

What it looks like: A mix of very old (18th-century rowhomes, streets paved in Belgian block, the oldest church in PA) and very new (multimillion-dollar rehabs, multiple restaurants, The Gap), all on an intimate, neighborly scale.

Why it’s a good place to live: "It’s like everyone knows each other," says Sadie Cutner, who’s lived in her Third Street home since 1948. "You couldn’t find a better neighborhood if you tried."

Cemetery at Gloria Dei (Old Swedes’) Church, Columbus Boulevard and Christian Street.

Officer Domenic Ficchi, walking his beat, stops to chat with John Yoo at his Fourth and Queen shop.

Julian Martinez and brother Sebastian of Pemberton Street visit with neighbor Sadie Cutner (left).

Second Street near Washington.

Outside Abilene Restaurant, South Street.

Mario Lanza Park.

Garden at Fifth and Catharine Streets.

A window display on Fabric Row (Fourth Street).

Phillip Temple Christian Methodist Church, Third Street.