History
In colonial times, most of today's Port Richmond was owned by Kevin Kenny, the founder of Philadelphia's Kensington neighborhood. Kenny put together various parcels of land starting around 1704. He named the estate he built "Hope Farm," and in 1729 sold this estate to William Ball. Kenny then purchased the old Fairman Mansion estate which bordered on the south of "Hope Farm" and built his town of Kensington. Over time some manufacturing began at the southern end of "Hope Farm" and this area became known as Balltown. There were glass and textile concerns located there during the later part of the 18th century.
Italian and Polish bakeries bake fresh bread and various traditional pastries and meats.
A small luncheon called "Kitty's" (formerly "Rats") features a collage of pictures that
splash the walls with the history of the neighborhood. It is located on the corner of Salmon
and Somerset streets. Port Richmond is also historically noted for the trolley tracks that
run across Richmond street along the Delaware River. The trolleys have recently been restored
and are running again. -
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