Mantua is a neighborhood in West Philadelphia. This neighborhood extends from Spring Garden Street to Mantua Avenue and from 40th Street to 31st Street. The land that makes up this neighborhood was originally owned by Judge Richard Peters, who in 1809 created a plan to develop the area. Peters decided to call the area Mantua, after the city in Italy that Virgil called home. Development in the area was very gradual up until roughly the mid 19th century, when it had expanded enough to be dubbed “a beautiful little village” in a contemporary publication. Towards the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, many of the famous Philadelphian brownstone row houses were built in this area. But as the 20th century wore on, the fortunes of West Philadelphia declined as a whole. Mantua particularly suffered from this decline, losing much of its former prosperity. The Philadelphia City Planning Commission has called Mantua “West Philadelphia’s area of greatest need” and has described the neighborhood as a “large blighted area containing many hundreds of vacant lots.” Unfortunately, the area became infamous for drug-related crime, murders, and gang violence. Today, however, the crime appears to be declining. Many residents are now hopeful for a brighter and safer future.
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PlanPhilly: Planning Philadelphia's Future