Manayunk; the Native American word for "place where we drink;" was first explored by Dutch and English surveyors in the late seventeenth century. These early explorers found the area; which expands upward from the banks of the Schuylkill River; to be quite fascinating. In later years; Manayunks rolling hills; slanting lawns; and clusters of houses; mills; and church spires stood out and made the neighborhood a unique section of Philadelphia; reminiscent of Italy or southern France. Manayunk explores the growth of the region from a river town with a population of sixty to its rise as "the Manchester of America;" akin to the British town of the same name. A manufacturing mecca noted for its mills along its immigrant-dug canal; Manayunk has an indomitable spirit that helped the town triumph over floods and the Depression of 1929. A place of fascinating oddities; one of the first buildings in Manayunk was a gin mill. Manayunk looks at the building of the grand canal; which in 1825 was filled with arks and square-toed flat-bottomed boats. In the summer; the canal became a roughshod rendition of Venice; with its long boats pointed at both ends carrying grains and produce while being poled up the canal by Philadelphia gondoliers. Also illustrated is the construction of the elevated Reading Railroad line and the disarray this engineering feat brought to the town. Notable citizens; such as Capt. John Towers ("the Father of Manayunk"); members of the Levering family; Samuel Streeper Keely; Sevill Schofield; James Milligan; and William B. Nickels; are also profiled.
#1922858 in eBooks 2011-05-02 2011-05-02File Name: B0093PIBPY
Review
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Some Towns Can Inspire YouBy HeraldicI was thrilled to see that a book about Laurelton. Long Island. New York was available. I was seeking historical photographs and information to understand how the town developed as well as memories of life there in the mid and late 20th century as well as today. I spent a good part of my childhood in Laurelton. It was a REAL neighborhood; at least the section that I was exposed to. People walked everywhere. Shopping was "on the avenue" (Merrick Boulevard). Many of the neighbors were GIs from WWII and their families. so there were plenty of adults of similar age with children of similar ages. The town had. for me. "community parenting"; adult neighbors who included me with my cousins as part of their extended families. That meant candid comments about all elements of our lives; acceptance of me as one of the neighbors (although I lived in New Jersey). inclusion in back yard parties and events at the nearest Synagogue. Often. vacations were taken with a half-dozen couples and their offspring. Even widows and widowers were included. What we had was a bit of the country set in postwar suburbia located within minutes of New York City.I mentioned the historical development of Laurelton. A unique feature of much of the town were and are the attached Tudor homes as well as the detached "English cottage" styled homes. I remember that the New York Times Architectural Critic wrote a wonderful article in the late 1960s or early 1970s about the rarity and uniqueness of the Tudor homes. When I researched Laurelton in the Times Archives. there were seemingly endless articles raving about the place and the convenience of life there.I am grateful for what is in this book; however. I wanted wider coverage about the development of each section; maybe a timeline with architects named with maps since the town took some 50 or 60 years to "fill in". The number of school children photographs could have been cut down. I found the book lacking real cohesion. But. Laurelton. I learned. was "divided" by income. Apparently. my family was located in what was then solid. middle class; Dads worked and Moms stayed home in many cases. It appears as if the authors focused more on the "outlying" regions of Laurelton where the houses were larger and/or grander. For example. there was only 1 mention of the JCH; Jewish Community Center with several pages devoted to the LJC; Laurelton Jewish Center and its activities. The LJC and the regions of Laurelton that appear frequently seem to represent the "wealthier" parts of town.There is very good coverage of the changes in the residents over the years and the well maintained homes of todays Laurelton. Laurelton. begun as a "no Jews and dogs allowed" community. went through several social. ethnic and racial evolutions. By the mid-20th century. it had become an Italian Catholic/Jewish community followed by a professional Black community; a middle-class Black community and what the authors say is the current population; an integrated middle and upper middle class area.Any reader who has pre-conceived notions of regions surrounding Manhattan should investigate this book. Even with a few shortcomings. it relays a life that many of us wish would make a resurgence in this country.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Purchased this book for my mom who was born and ...By CustomerPurchased this book for my mom who was born and raised in laurelton. Thats where my parents meet as well. 60 years later they can look back and reminisce.......â¤ï¸0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Wonderful!By Claire BarsicI bought this book for my mom. who is 93. and she loved it. She and my dad bought their first house in Laurelton and raised four kids there from the late forties to 1969. She enjoyed the old pictures and shared so many memories with me. I wish the authors had left out the section about the decay of the neighborhood in the 1970s. It was very depressing seeing all the places boarded up. Hopefully Laurelton will be revitalized and a new chapter can be written...
