Picture rows of houses stretching as far as the eye can see. This is Mayfair in Northeast Philadelphia. Established in 1929 Mayfair blossomed after World War II. It offered a breath of fresh air for city dwellers. Bigger homes with garages were a welcome change. Mayfair became a model of early suburbanization. It connected previously isolated neighborhoods.
Mayfair wasn’t always a residential area. Before the 1920s it was farmland. Two institutions stood there. The Edwin Forrest Home for Children and The Oxford and Lower Dublin Poor House. These earlier uses give Mayfair a unique history. They contrast sharply with the later suburban development.
The neighborhood developed along Cottman and Frankford Avenues. It’s bordered by Tacony and Wissinoming to the south and east. Holmesburg is to the east Pennypack Park to the north. Oxford Circle and Rhawnhurst lie to the west. Mayfair’s boundaries aren’t always clear. Disputes sometimes arise with neighboring areas.
Mayfair’s population reflects its rich history and ongoing change. In 2010 the population was 38202. The demographics have shifted. It once boasted a large Irish American population. Now it’s more diverse. Asian American Hispanic Russian and Middle Eastern residents are increasingly common. The change also reflects a shift in housing. Investors have bought up properties. Many are now rentals instead of owner-occupied homes.
Mayfair’s schools are part of the School District of Philadelphia. Ethan Allen School and Edwin Forrest School are on the National Register of Historic Places. Both are K-8 schools. Edwin Forrest students continue at Austin Meehan Middle School. High school students attend Abraham Lincoln High School. It was initially slated to be Mayfair High School. Other neighborhoods opposed the name change. Mayfair residents weren’t happy about this decision.
Mayfair has a vibrant community. It blends history culture and community life. It’s changed over time. From farmland to a suburban area Mayfair remains a welcoming place. Its people and institutions tell a story of growth and adaptation. This is a neighborhood you’ll find yourself wanting to return to again and again.