Olney, named after the mansion that once stood in its place, is a neighborhood in North Philadelphia. The neighborhood is bordered by Roosevelt Boulevard to Tacony Creek and from Godfrey Avenue to 6th Street. The hilly farmland known as Olney was only apart of Philadelphia County as late as the late nineteenth century. The area prior to Olney’s inclusion was mainly farmers and wealthy Philadelphians who could afford to live out of the city. As the city grew, Olney became more and more urbanized, often attracting people who wanted to get away from the density of the city. The construction of the Broad Street subway line also linked Olney to the rest of the city making it even more ideal for those looking for a way out of the city while still being connected to center city. By the 1960’s Olney experienced the effects of the deindustrialization of the city, driving many residents to the suburbs as a part of the “White Flight”, while drawing immigrants from all over the world to fill the vacancies left. Today Olney remains one of the most culturally diverse neighborhoods in the area, a feat that is reflected through its architecture and business’.
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