History
Fairmount's name comes directly from William Penn, who named the neighborhood's high hill "Fair Mount" for its gorgeous view of the Schuylkill River. And although the banks of the Delaware River were settled earlier than the banks of the Schuylkill, the Fairmount area holds some of Philadelphia's most important history. In 1815, the area became home to the Fairmount Water Works, which provided all of Philadelphia's drinking water at a time when most other American cities didn't offer any citywide water service. In 1829, the Fairmount area attracted national attention once again when Eastern State Penitentiary opened. Focused on solitary confinement, Eastern State served as a new model for prisons across the country. In 1855, Fairmount Park – one of the country's largest public park systems – was founded when the Fairmount-area Lemon Hill Estate was purchased and converted into public land. And in 1928, the world-class Philadelphia Art Museum relocated from Memorial Hall to its current location overlooking the Schuylkill.
Fairmount Today
Today Fairmount is one of Philadelphia's most eclectic neighborhoods, combining tourist attractions, row homes, restaurants and of course, the public art and green spaces of Fairmount Park.
Boundaries
The Art Museum/Fairmount area's boundaries fluctuate depending on how you define the neighborhood. Some definitions include the surrounding neighborhoods of Spring Garden, Franklintown and Francisville, making Fairmount's boundaries:
West: The Schuylkill River
South: Vine Street
East: Broad Street
North: Girard Avenue
However, many consider the core of the Fairmount neighborhood to be:
West: The Schuylkill River
South: Fairmount Avenue
East: Corinthian Avenue
North: Girard Avenue
Transportation
Fairmount is serviced by several SEPTA bus routes including 7, 32, 43 and 48. The SEPTA Route 15 trolley also services the neighborhood on its northern border, Girard Avenue.
Parking in Fairmount consists mostly of non-metered street parking and some paid lots. The neighborhood is easily accessible from I-76's Spring Garden or Girard Avenue exits.
Few streets in Fairmount have bike lanes, but the area is bike-friendly. Spring Garden Street to the south and Pennsylvania Avenue to the west both have bike lanes and can get you close to the neighborhood.
Education
For grades K-8, public school students attend either the Bache-Martin School or Laura Wheeler Waring School. Fairmount high school students are zoned to attend Benjamin Franklin High School, although students may apply to attend a school outside of their neighborhood though the School District of Philadelphia's Voluntary Transfer Program.
Fairmount is also home to some private schools, including the Philadelphia Mennonite High School, a Christian school; and Girard College, a boarding school for students grades 1 through 12.
Real Estate
Most of the Fairmount neighborhood's real estate is row homes, and house and apartment rentals are available. According to Trulia, in the second quarter of 2010, the median home sale price in the Art Museum/Fairmount area was $309,000.
Restaurants & Bars
Angelino's Restaurant and Pizzeria
Classic and specialty pizzas and sandwiches. BYOB.
849-51 N. 25th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19130
215-787-9945
The Belgian Cafe
Belgian beers, mussels, burgers and a variety of vegetarian options are the hallmarks of this restaurant opened by the owners of Philadelphia's most famous Belgian joint, Monk's.
2047 Green St.
Philadelphia, PA 19130
215-235-3500
The Bishop's Collar
A beer-focused bar that also serves pub grub.
2349 Fairmount Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19130
215-765-1616
Figs
A Moroccan BYOB.
2501 Meredith St.
Philadelphia, PA 19130
215-978-8440
London Grill
A restaurant, bar and cafe, the London Grill offers both upscale and casual dining with locally sourced ingredients. Make sure to check out the Willie Sutton Lager, brewed especially for London Grill and named for a prisoner from nearby Eastern State.
2301 Fairmount Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19130
215-978-4545
Mugshots Coffee House
A coffee shop and cafe featuring organic, fair-trade coffees and a breakfast and lunch menu.
2100 Fairmount Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19130
267-514-7145
North Star Bar
This bar and show space features a variety of local and national rock acts.
2639 Poplar St.
Philadelphia, PA 19130
215-787-0488
Trio
A Thai BYOB.
2624 Brown St.
Philadelphia, PA 19130
215-232-8746
Points of Interest and Things to Do
Boathouse Row
This series of houses on the bank of the Schuylkill serves as home to Philadelphia's rowing clubs.
Above the Art Museum on Kelly Drive
Philadelphia, PA 19130
Eastern State Penitentiary
The famous prison is now open as a museum, offering guided tours. Eastern State also turns into a haunted house ever year for Halloween.
2027 Fairmount Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19130
215-236-3300
Fairmount Art Center
A school and gallery offering art and music classes for adults and children.
2501 Olive St.
Philadelphia, PA 19130
215-765-ARTS
Fairmount Park
The Fairmount Park System reaches now all across Philadelphia, but the original park remains at the neighborhood's western border.
Fairmount Water Works
Once providing all of Philadelphia's water, the Fairmount Water Works now serves as an educational center, teaching visitors about the history of the Schuylkill.
640 Waterworks Dr.
Philadelphia, PA 19130
215-685-0723
The Philadelphia Museum of Art
One of the top art museums in the country, the Philadelphia Art Museum features a strong collection of classic and modern art.
26th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19130
215-763-8100