History: Real estate developer John Longacre, known to residents as “the original founder of Newbold,” saw potential in the undeveloped area, so he started purchasing properties that turned into residential and commercial spaces in the early 2000s. Later, he developed the nonprofit, Newbold Community Development Corp., which later shared its boundaries — Tasker to Wolf, Broad to 18th streets — with Newbold Civic Association, which launched around ’06.
Other, mainly newer, residents spanning Washington to Passyunk avenues with like ideas of how to improve their neighborhood began meeting at one another’s homes in ’07. Soon those neighbors formed Newbold Neighbors Association.
This area is historically part of Point Breeze, however Longacre (also the owner of the South Philadelphia Taproom) dubbed the neighborhood “Newbold” in 2003 in an effort to differentiate it from the rest of Point Breeze. Longacre drew inspiration for the name from the original name of Hicks Street.
Famous residents include singer/pianist Buddy Greco, a native of the 2000 block of South Chadwick Street; disc jockey Jerry Blavat, formerly of of 17th and Mifflin streets; singer Al Martino, a 15th-and-Tasker-Street native; The Four Aces’ lead singer Al Alberts, of the 1800 block of Chadwick Street. (From Wikipedia, South Philly Review)
Boundaries: Washington Avenue to Wolf Street, Broad to 18th streets.
Zip Codes: 19145, 19146
More Information: Newbold Neighbors Association, Newbold Civic Association
Schools: George W. Childs School, St. Thomas Aquinas
Public Transportation: SEPTA Ellsworth Federal Station
