Kensington, considered a “region” rather then a “neighborhood”, is an area in the Bridesburg/Kensington/Richmond area of Philadelphia. The area is roughly defined as having triangular borders, those being Erie Avenue, Front Street, and Trenton Avenue. This area has long been a center for ship and boat building, with many of its residents working for ship manufacturers or as commercial fisherman. During the Industrial Revolution, the industry in Kensington switched from ship and boat building to iron and steel manufacturing. Kensington quickly became the center for textile and carpet manufacturing in Philadelphia and played an important role in the national textile industry. Many english who immigrated to the Philadelphia area, were quickly absorbed into the textile industries because they were considered “expert weavers." However by 1950 deindustrialization of the area drove many workers and their families to other locations. Buildings were abandoned and as a result, the population in the Kensington area greatly declined. In recent years the Kensington section of Philadelphia has become gentrified and many of the old abandoned buildings are now being transformed by young entrepreneurs. While some parts of the area seem to still struggle with drug use and crime, parts like Fishtown and Port Richmond have seen a huge increase in both population and industry. Today the area is full of culture and heritage, which the residents of Kensington take pride in as they continue to protect and support their community.
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