History of South Street: 1700-1950

Today we’re going to do the history of South Street, the bohemian, punk, alternative stretch of bars and shops that divides South Philly from the rest of civilization in Center City. But that wasn’t always the case, originally known as Cedar Street, it was the southernmost point of Philadelphia. It was the final frontier before settlers would find themselves treading through increasingly swampy wilderness. So today, in the first of a two parter, we’re going to take a look at the origins of South Street.