:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48740115/curbed_placeholder.54.0.jpg)
The so-called Eraserhood is a tiny little section of Philadelphia that has inspired quite a disproportionate amount of both art and ire.
The post-industrial area of Center City north of Vine Street between 9th and 15th Street has indeed been answering to the name 'Eraserhood' of late, much to the chagrin of some of its residents, who claim that the nomenclature is the work of the hipsters and the area is, and always has been, simply "Callowhill." Or similarly "The Callowhill Loft District."
If some knucklehead puts up a Facebook page about David Lynch it does [sic] define a neighborhood or the actual community who lives here.
It's actually a bit insulting...
This area has always been called the Callowhill Loft District.
—Guest 5 [What you get when you decide to live in the Eraserhood]
Filmmaker David Lynch has said the area inspired the creation of his seminal movie Eraserhead while living at 13th and Wood Street. And so, fans of the film took to calling it the Eraserhood. You can read all about the muggy history of who was the first to give the neighborhood its lightning-rod name here.
But with housing prices in the area on the up and up, neighborhood pleasantries galore, and a little thing called the Rail Park actually really happening for real, the argument of whether the Eraserhood is really the Eraserhood may soon fade under the din of people clamoring to get in.
A short while ago, the City Planning Commission passed a bill authorizing the City to acquire an portion of the elevated rail line known as the "Viaduct," and to lease a portion of the property to SEPTA. Those following the development of 'Philadelphia's High Line' know that this means Phase I of The Rail Park is officially underway, with plans still to break ground later in 2015. To all of you, this means that one of the hottest public spaces in Philadelphia is coming soon to the Eraserhood. Or Callowhill. Whatever. You're gonna want to be here when it does.
Here's an updated map of just some of the many amenities this area of Philly has to offer. Have anything you want to add? Hit up the comments or the tipline.
· Curbed Philly's Eraserhood Coverage [Curbed]
Loading comments...