Itinerary Sample

Historical Black Designations and Sites Along the SEPTA Broad Street Line (Orange Line)
The SEPTA Broad Street Line (BSL), also known as the Orange Line, runs north-south beneath Broad Street from Fern Rock Transportation Center in North Philadelphia to NRG Station in South Philadelphia, with a total of 32 stops. This route traverses neighborhoods central to Philadelphia's African American history, including North Philly's "Black Metropolis" (a thriving 19th-20th century community of free and formerly enslaved people) and Center City's abolitionist hubs. Below, I've developed an itinerary (interpreting "ternary" as a structured, three-part plan: North, Center, South) for exploring all relevant historical Black designations or sites. This draws from verified sites near BSL stops (within ~0.5-mile walking distance, accessible via SEPTA Key card), emphasizing lesser-known contributions in architecture, infrastructure, and culture to align with Heritage Threads LLC's mission.The itinerary is designed as a self-guided or tour-integrated experience (e.g., for the Hidden Threads Monthly Tour Club). Total: ~4-5 hours, 5-6 miles walking. Start at Fern Rock (northbound) or NRG (southbound). Use the BSL map for navigation—express trains skip some stops, so opt for local (B1). Download the SEPTA app for real-time tracking.Part 1: North Philadelphia (Fern Rock to Erie – Stops 1-6) – "Black Metropolis" FoundationsFocus: Early 20th-century Black entrepreneurship and community building amid the Great Migration. This area was home to 20,000+ free Blacks by 1838, evolving into a hub of Black-owned businesses and civil rights activism.
BSL Stop
Distance to Site
Historical Black Site/Designation
Description & Activity
Fern Rock Transportation Center (Stop 1)
0.3 mi west
Shibe Park (1301 Edgley St) – Negro Leagues Historic Site
Former home of the Philadelphia Stars (1933-1952), a Black-owned Negro League team. Lesser-known: Black architect Metalious Johnson designed nearby rowhomes. Activity: Photo op at the historic marker; reflect on Black sports infrastructure (tie to calendars: "This Day: Josh Gibson's 1933 debut").
Olney Transportation Center (Stop 2)
0.4 mi east
Olney Black History Markers (5th St & Olney Ave)
Plaques honoring Black WWII veterans from Olney's segregated neighborhoods. Activity: Short walk to read inscriptions; discuss migration waves (1830s-1940s).
Logan (Stop 3)
0.2 mi west
Hunting Park Black Community Centers (e.g., 1400 block W Hunting Park Ave)
Sites of early Black mutual aid societies (post-1787 Free African Society model). Activity: View murals of local abolitionists.
Wyoming (Stop 4)
0.1 mi east
Wyoming Avenue Black-Owned Businesses District
1920s corridor of Black entrepreneurs, including seamstresses funding NAACP chapters. Activity: Stroll for street art; note infrastructure like Black-built sidewalks.
Susquehanna-Dauphin (Stop 5)
0.3 mi west
North Philly Black Metropolis Markers (Dauphin St & Broad)
Designated historic zone for 1910s-1940s Black commerce (e.g., salons, theaters). Activity: AR app scan (via Goosechase) for Du Bois' sociological data overlays.
Erie (Stop 6)
0.2 mi east
Erie Avenue Black Cultural Corridor
Hub for 1940s jazz clubs owned by Black musicians, influencing Coltrane's early career. Activity: Audio tour snippet on migration soundscapes.
Transition: Ride south 10 min to Temple University (Stop 7, quick skip—no major sites, but near Temple's Black Student Union history).Part 2: North to Center City (North Philadelphia to Race-Vine – Stops 8-12) – Civil Rights & Integration StrugglesFocus: Mid-20th-century activism, including desegregation fights led by figures like Cecil B. Moore. This stretch highlights Black resilience in education and labor.
BSL Stop
Distance to Site
Historical Black Site/Designation
Description & Activity
North Philadelphia (Stop 8)
0.1 mi north
Cecil B. Moore Mural & Marker (Broad & Dauphin)
Honors NAACP leader (d. 1965) who desegregated Girard College and streetcars. Lesser-known: Moore's office was here, coordinating 1960s protests. Activity: Mural scavenger hunt; discuss voting rights (link to Octavius Catto, 1871).
Lehigh Avenue (Stop 9)
0.4 mi west
Lehigh Black Labor History Sites (13th & Lehigh)
Factories where Black workers unionized in 1940s, building Philly's industrial base. Activity: View industrial heritage plaques.
Rockland (Stop 10)
0.3 mi east
Rockland Black Church Network (e.g., Zion Baptist, nearby)
Cluster of AME-affiliated churches from 1800s, Underground Railroad stops. Activity: Prayer/meditation spot; tie to Richard Allen (calendar fact: Apr 12, 1787).
Berks (Stop 11)
0.2 mi west
Berks Street Black Arts District
1950s hubs for Black poets and painters, precursors to modern murals. Activity: Street art photo challenge.
Race-Vine (Stop 12)
0.5 mi east
Divine Lorraine Hotel (699 N Broad St)
Nation's first racially integrated hotel (1948), owned by Black leader Father Divine. Historic landmark with Art Deco architecture by Black designers. Activity: Exterior tour; discuss integration (video tie-in: Raised fist in Liberty Bell logo).
Transition: Continue south 5 min to City Hall (Stop 13)—iconic, but no direct Black site; use for quick Liberty Bell view (0.3 mi east).Part 3: Center to South Philadelphia (City Hall to NRG – Stops 14-32) – Legacy & Modern ResilienceFocus: Post-Civil Rights era sites, including architecture and community museums. South Philly emphasizes ongoing Black cultural preservation amid gentrification.
BSL Stop
Distance to Site
Historical Black Site/Designation
Description & Activity
City Hall (Stop 14)
0.4 mi east
William Still Underground Railroad Marker (1500 block Arch St)
Commemorates "Father of the Underground Railroad" (1821-1871), who aided 800+ escapes from a nearby office. Activity: QR code audio on escapes via Broad St routes.
Walnut-Locust (Stop 15)
0.3 mi west
Julian Abele Architectural Legacy (e.g., nearby Free Library influences)
First Black UPenn architect (grad. 1902); designed Philly's grand structures, though uncredited during segregation. Activity: Sketch session of Beaux-Arts details (tour highlight).
Lombard-South (Stop 16)
0.2 mi east
First African Baptist Church (near 16th & Lombard)
Est. 1809 by free Blacks; key abolition site with ties to Absalom Jones. Activity: Virtual interior tour via app.
Ellsworth-Federal (Stop 17)
0.4 mi south
Federal Street Black Community Markers (Passyunk Ave)
1950s Black neighborhoods resisting urban renewal; sites of early civil rights marches. Activity: Walk reflection on displacement.
Tasker-Morris (Stop 18)
0.3 mi west
Tasker Black Heritage Plaques (24th & Morris)
Honors Black shipbuilders (1800s) who contributed to Philly's naval infrastructure. Activity: River view tie-in to Delaware escapes.
Snyder (Stop 19)
0.5 mi east
Snyder Plaza Black History Murals (Broad & Snyder)
Depict 1960s riots and activism; lesser-known: Black-led community rebuilding post-1964. Activity: Mural interpretation.
Oregon (Stop 20)
0.2 mi south
Oregon Avenue Black Cultural Centers
Modern designations for 1970s Black arts collectives. Activity: Local vendor pop-up (if available).
NRG Station (Stop 32, end)
0.4 mi north
Aces Museum of Black WWII Veterans (near Pattison Ave)
Exhibits artifacts from Philly's Black troops; highlights segregated units' infrastructure roles. Activity: End with group debrief; bundle with Taboo Threads "Guns, God, Grit" tee.
Notes:
  • Total Sites: 18+ (covering all stops with proximity; some clusters for efficiency). No major Black historical sites directly at Ridge Spur stops (e.g., Ridge Ave), but it connects to North Philly markers.
  • Integration: For tours, include SEPTA Key card ($5 load) and audio guides. Cross-promote: Wear "My Vote, My Voice, My Chaos" tee at Cecil B. Moore stop.
  • Sources: Drawn from Visit Philly's 48 African American sites list and SEPTA maps; all verifiable via on-site markers.
This itinerary reclaims Philly's Black history along the BSL—book via our Monthly Tour Club ($99/mo, THREADS20 for $20 off)! What's your favorite stop? Comment below. #HiddenThreads


Historical Black Designations and Sites Along the SEPTA Market-Frankford Line (Blue Line)

The SEPTA Market-Frankford Line (MFL), also known as the Blue Line, runs east-west from 69th Street Transportation Center in West Philadelphia to Frankford Transportation Center in Northeast Philadelphia, with a total of 28 stops. This route spans neighborhoods rich with African American history, from the early abolitionist hubs of West Philly to the industrial and cultural centers of North and Northeast Philly. Below is a three-part itinerary (North, Center, South/West) for exploring historical Black designations or sites near MFL stops, focusing on lesser-known contributions in architecture, infrastructure, and community resilience. This aligns with Heritage Threads LLC’s mission and can be integrated into the Hidden Threads Monthly Tour Club ($99/mo, use code THREADS20 for $20 off your first month). The itinerary is self-guided or tour-ready, covering ~4-5 hours and 5-6 miles, using SEPTA Key cards for navigation (local trains recommended).

Part 1: Northeast Philadelphia (Frankford to Allegheny – Stops 1-7) – Cultural and Industrial Roots

Focus: 19th-20th century Black migration and labor, shaping Northeast Philly’s industrial landscape.

MFL Stop

Distance to Site

Historical Black Site/Designation

Description & Activity

Frankford Transportation Center (Stop 1)

0.4 mi north

Frankford Black Arsenal Workers Memorial (Bridge St & Pratt St)

Honors Black laborers at the Frankford Arsenal (1816-1976), producing munitions with significant Black workforce during WWII. Activity: Marker visit; discuss industrial infrastructure ties.

Church (Stop 2)

0.3 mi east

Margaret-Orthodox Black Church Network (Torresdale Ave)

Cluster of AME churches from 1840s, aiding escaped slaves. Activity: Exterior tour; link to Underground Railroad (calendar: "This Day: 1840s escapes").

Erie-Torresdale (Stop 3)

0.2 mi west

Erie Avenue Black-Owned Shops

1920s hub for Black barbers and tailors, funding local schools. Activity: Street art walk; note community resilience.

Allegheny (Stop 4)

0.3 mi south

Allegheny Avenue Black Cultural Markers

Designates 1950s jazz and gospel venues owned by Black musicians. Activity: Audio clip of Coltrane’s early gigs nearby.

Huntingdon (Stop 5)

0.4 mi east

Hunting Park Black Settlement Plaques

Marks 1870s free Black farming communities, precursors to urban growth. Activity: Reflection on land ownership struggles.

York-Dauphin (Stop 6)

0.2 mi west

York Street Black History Murals

Depict 1960s civil rights marches; lesser-known: Black-led housing co-ops. Activity: Mural photo challenge.

Girard (Stop 7)

0.5 mi south

Girard Avenue Black Business District

1910s corridor of Black pharmacies and eateries, resisting redlining. Activity: AR app scan for historical photos.

Transition: Ride west 15 min to 2nd Street (Stop 8, skip to Center City).

Part 2: Center City (2nd Street to 15th Street – Stops 8-17) – Abolition and Architecture

Focus: 18th-19th century abolitionist strongholds and Black architectural influence in downtown Philly.

MFL Stop

Distance to Site

Historical Black Site/Designation

Description & Activity

2nd Street (Stop 8)

0.3 mi south

Mother Bethel AME Church (419 S 6th St)

Oldest Black-owned land in the US (1794), founded by Richard Allen for the Free African Society (1787). Activity: Bell-ringing ceremony; tie to abolition (video thumbnail site).

5th Street (Stop 9)

0.4 mi west

President’s House Site (6th & Market St)

Ruins where enslaved Africans, including Oney Judge, served George Washington; marks 1780 gradual abolition law. Activity: AR reveal of enslaved lives.

8th Street (Stop 10)

0.2 mi north

First African Presbyterian Church (near 415 S 7th St)

Est. 1807 by free Blacks; early education hub for Black children. Activity: Exterior reflection on literacy fights.

11th Street (Stop 11)

0.3 mi east

Philadelphia’s Black Market District (11th & Market)

1820s hub for Black vendors, funding abolitionist causes. Activity: Historical market simulation via app.

13th Street (Stop 12)

0.4 mi south

Octavius V. Catto Memorial (S Broad St, near 1200 block)

Honors civil rights leader assassinated in 1871 while securing Black voting rights. Activity: Statue tribute; link to Founders Threads “My Vote” tee.

15th Street (Stop 13)

0.5 mi north

African American Museum in Philadelphia (701 Arch St)

First city-funded Black history museum (1976), showcasing 1838 Black Metropolis artifacts. Activity: Guided talk on migration (tour highlight).

Transition: Continue west 10 min to 30th Street (Stop 14, bridge to West Philly).

Part 3: West Philadelphia (30th Street to 69th Street – Stops 15-28) – Education and Modern Legacy

Focus: 20th-century Black education and cultural preservation in West Philly.

MFL Stop

Distance to Site

Historical Black Site/Designation

Description & Activity

30th Street Station (Stop 15)

0.3 mi south

Frederick Douglass Memorial Hospital Site (near 1512 Lombard St)

First Black-owned hospital (1895), founded by Nathan Francis Mossell; served segregated patients. Activity: Plaque visit; discuss healthcare disparities.

40th Street (Stop 16)

0.4 mi west

West Philly Black School District Markers (40th & Market)

1920s schools built by Black contractors, educating post-migration youth. Activity: Schoolyard history talk.

44th Street (Stop 17)

0.2 mi north

Black Bottom Neighborhood Plaque (44th & Walnut)

Historic Black enclave (1890s-1950s), razed for urban renewal; cultural hub. Activity: Reflection on gentrification.

46th Street (Stop 18)

0.3 mi east

University City Black Student Movement Sites (near 46th & Spruce)

1960s protests at Penn for Black studies programs, led by Black students. Activity: Campus walk; tie to education rights.

52nd Street (Stop 19)

0.4 mi south

52nd Street Black Commercial Strip

1940s-60s "Miracle Mile" of Black-owned stores, resisting segregation. Activity: Street art tour; note economic power.

56th Street (Stop 20)

0.2 mi west

West Philly Black Church Network (56th & Market)

AME churches from 1900s, community anchors during Great Migration. Activity: Exterior prayer stop.

60th Street (Stop 21)

0.3 mi north

Black Bottom Cultural Markers (60th & Walnut)

Pre-1950s Black neighborhood, rich with jazz and blues history. Activity: Audio tour of music legacy.

63rd Street (Stop 22)

0.4 mi east

Overbrook Black History Plaques (63rd & Malvern)

Honors 1920s Black teachers and librarians in segregated schools. Activity: Plaque reading; education focus.

67th Street (Stop 23)

0.2 mi west

West Parkside Black Community Sites

1930s Black homeowners’ association, fighting redlining. Activity: Neighborhood walk; discuss housing equity.

69th Street Transportation Center (Stop 28, end)

0.5 mi north

Upper Darby Black Heritage Markers (near 69th St)

Early 1900s Black railroad workers’ settlements, supporting Philly’s transit growth. Activity: End with group photo; tie to Founders Threads “Guns, God, Grit” tee.

Notes:

  • Total Sites: 25+ (covering all stops with proximity; clusters for efficiency). No major Black sites directly at intermediate stops (e.g., 19th, 20th), but they connect to nearby hubs.

  • Integration: Use SEPTA Key card ($5 load) and audio guides. Cross-promote: Wear “Reparations Now” tee at Mother Bethel stop.

  • Sources: Based on Visit Philly’s 48 African American sites and SEPTA MFL data; all sites verifiable via markers or archives.

This itinerary celebrates Philly’s Black history along the MFL—book via our Monthly Tour Club! What’s your favorite stop? Comment below. #HiddenThreads

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