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Is Philadelphia a dangerous city?

When did "Center City Philadelphia" become "Downtown Philadelphia"?

  • My entire life it was Center City and downtown referred to South Philly. Now it seems that the term Center City has fallen out of favor and now Center City is downtown. So when did this happen and why do we have to be like every other city in the US?

  • Answer:

    When I was growing up in Philadelphia, "downtown" was where Gimbels, Wanamakers and Lits were. My mom and I would take the El "downtown". This was in the 1960s. But I also referred to the area as "Center City" when I worked there in the 80s. I never heard South Philly referred to as "Downtown". Just my thoughts and experiences growing up.

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I don't know but I noticed it too. Even I say to "downtown" and refer to center city (i.e, "I work in downtown Philly, at 18th and Market"). It could be due to the influx of people from other places. Every other city, as you note, has a "down town," while we always had center city. I think the shift is pretty recent - within the past ten years. Maybe you could start a movement to bring back the term center city!

Steve

I moved here 10 years ago and have always said Center CIty, never downtown. I hear both from people. It doesn't really matter, does it?

Karen G

Hmmm...MY entire life, we've called Center City downtown and South Philly was South Philly. Maybe it depends on where you live.

rukidding

Then sign on the Expressway going onto the Vine E-way still says center city. I say I am going downtown but I live in center city. Maybe one refers to a destination and the other to an area of the city.

Bored_at_work

My grandmother and mom always referred to it as "in town" or "down town". I've started to say "center city". I do wonder if the name change has anything to do with the "beautifying of Philadelphia" going on. Ex: City Line Avenue was changed to City Avenue, West Philly near Penn area was changed to "University City", etc. As far as I know though, South Philly has never been called downtown though.

OneStepAttaTime

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