Germantown: Philadelphia

Germantown, located in the northwestern area of the city, is a neighborhood with a rich past and a complicated present. The area was first settled by a small group of Germans in 1683. As more English and German settlers arrived in Philadelphia, many of them settled in this region, centering their homes and their economic life around the road that would come to be known as Germantown Avenue. Wealthier Philadelphians built large estates that served as their refuge when the weather got hot or when yellow fever struck, as it did in the summer of 1793. Mansions such as Cliveden and the Deshler-Morris House (where President Washington stayed during one yellow fever epidemic) are remnants of Germantown's prosperous past. The twentieth century, its glory days long past, Germantown has seen much poverty and blight. It now has pockets of restored mansions that coexist with crumbling houses and run-down commercial strips. Despite its problems – or perhaps because of them – Germantown offers visitors an experience that would be hard to match anywhere else. Many of the houses are simply spectacular, and any student of architecture or American history will be enthralled. Along with glorious homes and parks to see, Germantown also offers visitors a few great places to stay, like Burbridge Street Bed and Breakfast, as well as a handful of eclectic restaurants. Germantown is also a great place to stay or visit if you like hiking, as the neighborhood allows easy access to the Wissahickon Woods, a beautiful, lush section of Fairmount Park. © NileGuide