Wynnefield is a neighborhood in West Philadelphia. It is bounded by 53rd Street at Jefferson Street to the south, Fairmount Park to the east, City Avenue to the north, and Upland Way to the southwest and west. Like the suburb Wynnewood, Wynnefield is takes its name from William Penn’s physician, Thomas Wynne. Wynne built his home, called “Wynnestay,” at 52nd Street and Woodbine Avenue in 1690. Originally a part of Delaware County, this neighborhood was later annexed by Philadelphia. At that time, the area was known as Balwynne Park. In 1855, St. Joseph’s College, a Catholic Jesuit institution, was founded in this neighborhood. In 1897, an amusement park called Woodside Park was built in the area, the grounds of which are now a part of Fairmount Park. Starting at the beginning of the 20th century, Wynnefield became a predominately Jewish-American neighborhood, populated by immigrants from Russia, Germany, and various other countries. During this century, Wynnefield became known for its small boutiques. Towards the mid 20th century, the dominant ethnic group changed from Jewish-Americans to African-Americans. Unfortunately, the 1980s brought crime into the area in the forms of gang violence and drugs. Today this neighborhood is on the mend and is the current residence of Mayor Michael Nutter.
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