Hotel Pa Philadelphia Rittenhouse

Rittenhouse Square is one of the five original open-space parks planned by William Penn and his surveyor Thomas Holme during the late 17th century in central Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The park cuts off 19th Street at Walnut Street and also at a half block above Manning Street. Its boundaries are 18th Street to the East, Walnut St. to the north, Rittenhouse Square West (a north-south boundary street), and Rittenhouse Square South (an east-west boundary street), making the park approximately two short blocks on each side. Originally called Southwest Square, Rittenhouse Square was renamed in 1825 after David Rittenhouse, a descendant of the first paper-maker in Philadelphia, the German immigrant William Rittenhouse. William Rittenhouse's original paper-mill site is known as Rittenhousetown, located in the rural setting of Fairmount Park along Paper Mill Run. David Rittenhouse was a clockmaker and friend of the American Revolution, as well as a noted astronomer; a lunar crater is named after him.

In the early nineteenth century, as the city grew steadily from the Delaware River to the Schuylkill River, it became obvious that Rittenhouse Square would become a highly desirable address. James Harper, a merchant and brick manufacturer who had recently retired from the United States Congress, was the first person to build on the square, buying most of the north frontage, erecting a stately townhouse for himself at 1811 Walnut Street (c. 1840). Having thus set the patrician residential tone that would subsequently define the Square, he divided the rest of the land into generously proportioned building lots and sold them. Sold after the congressman's death, the Harper house became the home of the exclusive Rittenhouse Club, which added the present facade in c. 1901.

Today, the tree-filled park is surrounded by high rise residences, luxury apartments, popular restaurants, a Barnes & Noble bookstore, and two hotels, including a five-star. Its green grasses and dozens of benches are popular lunch-time destinations for residents and workers in Philadelphia's Center City neighborhood, while its lion and goat stautes are popular gathering spots for small children and their parents. The park is a popular dog walking destination for area residents, as was shown in the fictional film In Her Shoes. The Square was discussed in a favorable light by Jane Jacobs in her seminal work, "The Death and Life of Great American Cities."

The beauty of the Park is due largely to the efforts of Friends of Rittenhouse Square, a public-private partnership with the Fairmount Park Commission. Landscaping, lighting, restoration of fountains and fencing—even the installation and stocking of doggie-bag dispensers—are all projects of the Friends of Rittenhouse Square.

Arts and culture

The Rittenhouse neighborhood is also home to many cultural institutions, including the Curtis Institute of Music, The University of the Arts, the Ethical Society, the Philadelphia Art Alliance, the Rosenbach Museum & Library, and the Civil War and Underground Railroad Museum. The Square is home to many works of public art. Among them is a bas-relief bust of J. William White done by R. Tait McKenzie.

Education

The Rittenhouse Square area is zoned to the School District of Philadelphia.

Residents are zoned to the Albert M. Greenfield School. for grades kindergarten through eighth and South Philadelphia High School for high school.

The Free Library of Philadelphia operates the Philadelphia City Institute on the first floor and lower level of an apartment complex at 1905 Locust Street.

Transportation

Rittenhouse Square is accessible via several forms of public transportation.

All SEPTA Regional Rail lines stop at Suburban Station, about six blocks north and east of the Square.

The PATCO Speedline, a rapid transit system connecting Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey stops at 16th St. & Locust St., 2 blocks east of the Square.

The SEPTA 9, 12, 21, and 42 buses westbound run along Walnut Street. The 17 runs northbound along 20th Street and southbound along 19th Street and Rittenhouse Square West and the 2 runs northbound along 16th Street and southbound along 17th Street.

The SEPTA Subway-Surface Trolley Lines have a station at 19th and Market streets, two blocks north of the Square. The Walnut-Locust station on the Broad Street Subway is four blocks east.

Two taxi stands are to be found on the west side of the Square, accessible 24 hours a day.

Rittenhouse Square in fiction

A number of movies have had scenes filmed in the Square or on the streets surrounding it. Recent films include In Her Shoes and The Happening, whilst earlier films include Trading Places.

References

1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places . National Park Service. 2007-01-23 . http://www.nr.nps.gov/ .  
2. ^ http://www.friendsofrittenhouse.org/history.php
3. ^ "Albert M. Greenfield School." Center City Schools .
4. ^ "Albert M. Greenfield School - Where the Graduates Go." Center City Schools .
5. ^ "Philadelphia City Institute." Free Library of Philadelphia . Retrieved on January 20, 2009.

See also

• Cosmopolitan Club of Philadelphia

The Rittenhouse Hotel: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania hotel:

Luxury Hotels at The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd. Your source for small luxury hotels, luxury vacations and travels, resort hotels, and luxury vacations

...

The Rittenhouse (Philadelphia, PA) - Hotel Reviews - TripAdvisor

The Rittenhouse, Philadelphia: See 89 traveler reviews, 36 candid photos, and great deals for The Rittenhouse, ranked #6 of 87 hotels in Philadelphia and rated 4.5 of 5 at ...

...

Rittenhouse 1715—Philadelphia Hotels - Pennsylvania Lodging ...

Highly acclaimed Philadelphia boutique hotel located just steps from the historic Rittenhouse Square District. Online booking available.

...

Downtown Philadelphia Hotel – Doubletree Hotels Philadelphia PA

Doubletree Hotel Philadelphia features include: Casual ... Shops and restaurants on historic Rittenhouse ... University of PA, Drexel University and Philadelphia Zoo less than two miles

...

Philadelphia Hotels Pennsylvania – The Rittenhouse Luxury ...

The Rittenhouse Hotel is the most prestigious Philadelphia Pennsylvania hotel address. Consistently recognized not only as the premier choice of five-diamond Philadelphia luxury ...

...

Rittenhouse 1715, A Boutique Hotel (Philadelphia, PA) - Hotel Reviews ...

Rittenhouse 1715, A Boutique Hotel, Philadelphia: See 58 traveler reviews, 4 candid photos, and great deals for Rittenhouse 1715, A Boutique Hotel, ranked #9 of 87 hotels in ...

...

Rittenhouse 1715, A Boutique Hotel, Philadelphia hotels, PA, United ...

Rittenhouse 1715, A Boutique Hotel Philadelphia boutique property with complimentary breakfast

...

The Rittenhouse Hotel | Philadelphia Pennsylvania PA

The Rittenhouse Hotel in Philadelphia Pennsylvania. View The Rittenhouse Hotel amenities, map and availability to help you plan your next trip to Philadelphia PA.

...

Rittenhouse 1715, A Boutique Hotel - Philadelphia, PA, 19103 ...

Contributor Citysearch. In Short – This renovated carriage house off historic Rittenhouse Square contains 16 rooms. What the bed-and-breakfast lacks in size, it makes up for with ...

...

Rittenhouse Hotel - Philadelphia, PA, 19103 - Citysearch

Rittenhouse Hotel Owner. Official Site - Book Online. Visit our website to learn more about the hotel, local attractions, restaurants, event and meeting space and room rates.

...