A few years ago, Sylvia Myers established a history award at North Light Community Center in honor of her late husband, Nicholas Myers. In his lifetime, Nick was an accomplished writer and TV narrator, but as a North Light day camp volunteer, he was “Mr. Nick”. Nick agreed to work with the campers to lead a few of the history lessons that he helped to develop. In a very short time, “Mr. Nick” became a regular and as Manayunk changed at a quick pace, Nick’s creative and interactive approach to history, helped local kids learn about their heritage. Nick soon found that after working with day camp for a few weeks, he couldn’t go anywhere in the neighborhood without hearing a child’s voice call out to him “Mr. Nick”.

Shown accepting the 3rd annual Mr. Nick History Award are (from the left) Julia Gambaro, award winner, Sylvia Myers, creator of the award and Jane Lipton, board president of North Light Community Center.

The Word On the “Street” is This!

By Julia Anna Gambaro
Imagine walking down your street that you grew up on back some one-hundred years ago? Instead of concrete or blacktop, cobblestones would replace it. And if you think about it, your street name would most likely have differed then the name it now has. The reason I write this is to give you a bigger picture of just how great a significance your street name has and the reason it became what it is today.

Take Umbria Street for example. I am Italian, so researching this name was extra interesting. Umbria Street was once known as Washington Street, but was changed to reflect the Italian immigrants who flocked to the United States from Umbria, Italy at the beginning of the 20th century. What is so revealing to me is the Italian heritage that still shows evidently.

Consolo’s Bakery was a storefront proof that the heritage still lives on. Not in business anymore, Consolo’s was once a common store located on Umbria Street. So you see how much we take for granted a familiar street such as Umbria for its originality, culture, and history.

Another familiar street name is Green Lane. Named after its green lawns lining the path from Ridge to Main Street, Green Lane is one color coordinated street name! You may have also heard of Domino Lane. Did it ever cross your mind that its name was given in honor of local farmers who played dominoes at the Flat Rock Inn? It’s historical and a bit humorous.

I also came to realize Pensdale Street was named in honor of our famous Philadelphian and inventor William Penn, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1682 and contributed so much to Our Town. Wright Street was named to honor Anne Wright, who founded North Light Boys Club. Even Philadelphia’s first permanent resident, Wigard Levering, earned Wigard Avenue’s street name.

Now we move on to the most well known of all names in Philadelphia, Roxborough. Once called “Rocks Burrow”, the name was discovered in a Latin journal of the mystic philosopher, John Kelpius. He first gave it the name “Burrow in the Rocks” because foxes were known to borrow in the rocky cellar of caves that were in that area. But Kelpius formalized the name to “Rocks Burrow” in a letter dated back from May of 1706. Eventually “Rocks Burrow” was changed to the name we use today, Roxborough, which is the most familiar. So maybe next time if you are traveling to or from Roxborough, you can reflect back on its significance and history behind the meaning of its common street name.

On that note, Philadelphia alone is loaded with much more fascinating, historical value that should not be as overlooked as it is today. So from Ripka Street to Levering, from Main Street to Markle, remember there is always a hidden story and meaning behind every street name! It’s up to you to discover it!