When South Street was almost bulldozed to make room for a highway

Throughout the mid-20th century, Philly looked at turning South Street into a highway. Here's why the iconic party, music and shopping destination was spared.

Listen 15:34
Philadelphia's South Street in the 1960s. (Courtesy of Denise Scott Brown.)

Philadelphia's South Street in the 1960s. (Courtesy of Denise Scott Brown.)

Listen to The Why wherever you get your podcasts:
Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | RadioPublic | TuneIn


If you’re from Philly, chances are you’ve had a “South Street era” in your life. But what you may not know is throughout the mid-20th century, the city looked at turning its iconic party, music and shopping destination into a highway. Why was South Street spared and what was its lasting impact on the neighborhood?

Guest: Jeremy Tenenbaum, Hidden City

WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.

Want a digest of WHYY’s programs, events & stories? Sign up for our weekly newsletter.

Together we can reach 100% of WHYY’s fiscal year goal