South Philadelphia Sports Complex
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The South Philadelphia Sports Complex is the current home to Philadelphia's sports teams. It is the site of the Wells Fargo Center, Lincoln Financial Field and Citizens Bank Park. The Spectrum, on the site from 1967 to 2010, is closed and under demolition. The proposed entertainment center, Philly Live!, is expected to be built on the lot previously occupied by the Spectrum.
History
The South Philadelphia Sports Complex was also once home to John F. Kennedy Stadium and Veterans Stadium as well as The Spectrum. Prior to its development, it was a shanty town known as "The Neck" of the undeveloped League Island area formerly Passyunk Township. Oregon Avenue was the southern border end of the city up to the 1920s.
Sesquicentennial Exposition of 1926
In 1926 the City selected south of Oregon Avenue for the 1926 Sesquicentennial International Exposition and developed the large river delta land south of Oregon Avenue. South Broad Street was a grand European styled boulevard surrounded by massive exhibit buildings and structures that were to be a testament to American science, culture, and progress for the future. Following the close of the celebration of this 150 years of American Independence on the Avenue of the Colonies of South Broad Street came quick total demolition except of the stadium.
John F. Kennedy Stadium
JFK Stadium opened in 1926 as Sesquicentennial Stadium for the Sesquicentennial Exposition, and was renamed Philadelphia Municipal Stadium following the Exposition. The name was again changed in 1964 in honor of President John F. Kennedy, who had been assassinated on November 22, 1963. JFK Stadium was condemned in 1989 and demolished in 1992. JFK was home to the Philadelphia Quakers of the first American Football League, the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League, the Philadelphia Bell of the World Football League, and 42 Army–Navy Games. It was also one of the host sites for the original Live Aid concert in 1985.
Packer Drive In Movies & Bowling
Prior to building Veterans Stadium across Packer Avenue north of JFK Stadium was family entertainment of a bowling alley, and a drive-in theater that was a venue creation of Camden, New Jersey, chemical company magnate Richard M. Hollingshead, Jr., whose family owned and operated the R.M. Hollingshead Corporation chemical plant in Camden and that peaked in popularity in the 1950s' and 1960's.
Veterans Stadium
Veterans Stadium, also known as "The Vet," opened in 1971, closed in 2003, and was demolished on March 21, 2004. The Vet was home to the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League and the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball's National League. The Vet also hosted two Major League Baseball All-Star Games and 17 Army–Navy Games.
Aquarama Aquarium Theater of the Sea
Aquarama existed between 1962 through 1969. It was located at 3200 South Broad Street bordering the Packer Park residential neighborhood in South Philadelphia. It was the successor to the Philadelphia Aquarium, established in the City of Philadelphia and built in 1911 along the Schuylkill River northwest of the Parkway's Art Museum in Center City.
The relocated aquarium was augmented by elements of family fun exhibits and aquatic shows. The new public spaces hosted popular teen dances, and became an identifiable part of South Philadelphia's pop culture scene during the 1950s and 1960s with disc jockeys like Ed Hurst, Jerry Blavat and Dick Clark of American Bandstand garnering significant attention.
A movie theater and fast food burger chain--the 'Steer-in'--were built on the site, which would be demolished in the 1990s to make way for new residential and commercial development.
Current facilities
The Wells Fargo Center, Lincoln Financial Field and Citizens Bank Park are the current stadiums that create the Sports Complex.
The Wells Fargo Center (formerly the CoreStates Center, the First Union Center and the Wachovia Center) opened in 1996 and is home to the Philadelphia Flyers (NHL), Philadelphia 76ers (NBA), the Philadelphia Wings (NLL), and the Philadelphia Soul (AFL).
The Spectrum (formerly the Core States Spectrum, the First Union Spectrum, and the Wachovia Spectrum) opened in 1967 and was the home of the Philadelphia Phantoms (AHL), Philadelphia KiXX (NISL), and served as an alternate home for the Soul. Prior to 1996, the arena was home to the Flyers, 76ers, and the Wings. This facility closed on October 31, 2009, following Pearl Jam's performance at the last show of a four-night concert set. Demolition of the Spectrum began in November of 2010.
Lincoln Financial Field (known as "The Linc") opened in 2003 and is home to the Philadelphia Eagles (NFL) and Temple Owls (NCAA football), while Citizens Bank Park (known as "The Bank") opened in 2004 and is home to the Philadelphia Phillies (NL).
Transportation
AT&T Station on SEPTA's Broad Street Line is within walking distance of the four venues in the area. It was once known as Pattison station until it was renamed AT&T under a naming rights agreement.
Stadiums
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Citizens Bank Park (2004-present) -
Lincoln Financial Field (2003-present) -
Wells Fargo Center (1996-present) -
Spectrum (1967-2010, under demolition) -
Veterans Stadium (1971-2004) -
John F. Kennedy Stadium (1926-1992)
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References
External links
- Morley, Christopher (1920). "Stonehouse Lane and the Neck". Travels in Philadelphia. Philadelphia: David McKay Company, Publishers. Retrieved 2009-11-02.
{{cite journal}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - Ben Shpigel (2009-11-01). "In Gritty South Philly, a Piece of Sacred Ground". New York Times.
