The area developed because it was an important crossing of the Schuylkill River, called Mahdee's River. The river is now spanned by several bridges, including the Grey's Ferry Bridge and several rail bridges.

Gray's Ferry is bounded by 25th Street to the Schuylkill River, Morris Street to Grays Ferry Avenue. The neighborhood takes its name from the ferry, owned by George Gray, that used to cross the Schuylkill River in this area.

This area housed the Schuykill Arsenal, which played a large role in supplying both the Lewis and Clark Expedition and military goods for the Civil War. Until recently, Gray's Ferry has been a hotbed for racial tension. In 1997, tensions between the Irish Catholics living in the area’s middle income row housing and the African Americans living in the neighborhoods low income housing projects exploded in a series of violent crimes, often taking place in the community's playgrounds. Since that time, the tension has subsided, partially due to the recent housing boom in Philadelphia, which brought in many young professionals to the area.  Today Gray's Ferry prides itself on being a tight knit community where everyone is like family. While the community has an unpleasant past, residents are hopeful that the new Greater Gray's Ferry Estates will help attract new residents. 

RESOURCES

Grays Ferry Community website

South Philly Review on Grays Ferry