FYI - Hawthorne Park Rally - Page 3 - PhillyBlog

ms_evelyng · #21 (**permalink**) 07-17-2008, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dr_gingivitis

The neighborhood has been called Hawthorne for a long time and probably will be for a long time to come, you're getting a 2 million dollar park (how they can spend $2million in that little area is amazing to me), it will probably be really nice, and it's probably a good idea to try to pull up the reputation of the neighborhood by associating the name of the park with the hood.

I guess I don't get a vote either since I don't live there, but I do only live a block and a half away, so that's got to count for something.

Besides, as a resident of the unnamed G-Ho, SWCC, Annville, area, I think you should be happy to have a good historic name like Hawthorne, and try to improve the reputation of it rather than cast it aside.

Just my two opinion.

But it is right.

Actually, Shippen Square would probably be more historic than Hawthorne, since there was a Shippen Street and a Shippen Lane (both highlighted on the map below, from 1842) that converged right around where MLK is now located long before the neighborhood was named Hawthorne. That happend when the city started making an effort to revitalize Washington Square West (see the "History" section at the bottom of the page). Hawthorne was excluded and renamed because it was a high crime area where blacks hung out for nightlife.

Goalie · #22 (**permalink**) 07-18-2008, 01:12 AM

Can't wait until they get trees, it was blazing hot there today.

Had a nice size crowd.... good event. It should be called Bullard Park .. after all her efforts to bring this park to fruition.

I think Hawthorne works just fine.

eldondre · #23 (**permalink**) 07-18-2008, 02:36 AM

I don't like Dream square. I don't have any issues with Hawthorne but Shippen works as well. I think any remaining stigma is more associated with the King towers than the name Hawthorne but that's me.

dr_gingivitis · #24 (**permalink**) 07-18-2008, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eldondre

I don't like Dream square. I don't have any issues with Hawthorne but Shippen works as well. I think any remaining stigma is more associated with the King towers than the name Hawthorne but that's me.

I agree with all three or four points.

jifpez · #25 (**permalink**) 07-18-2008, 01:49 PM

This is good news and thanks to all who had a hand in making this happen

I'd vote for Hawthorne Square or Park.

GIRALDILLA · #26 (**permalink**) 07-18-2008, 07:12 PM

i vote for Shippen's Square i think that its important for our community to be associated with a positive and historical name.

dr_gingivitis · #27 (**permalink**) 07-18-2008, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GIRALDILLA

i vote for Shippen's Square i think that its important for our community to be associated with a positive and historical name.

From my quick readings he wasn't completely positive, he held political positions under the king's rule, and never really picked sides during the revolution. He was not arrested but made to promise not to interfere with the formation of the democracy.

His daughter also married Benedict Arnold, and when he was revealed as a traitor she returned to Philadelphia bringing shame to the Shippen name.

He later served as a judge, but was later impeached.

That being said, I still think embracing the name Hawthorne and trying to improve it’s reputation is a better (and more respectful) plan.