# Fox Chase, Philadelphia > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Fox_Chase%2C_Philadelphia > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Fox_Chase%2C_Philadelphia.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fox_Chase%2C_Philadelphia > Source revision: 1347797698 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Neighborhood of Philadelphia in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Fox Chase Neighborhood of Philadelphia Fox Chase Farm Fox Chase Coordinates: 40°04′23″N 75°04′35″W / 40.0731°N 75.0763°W / 40.0731; -75.0763 Country United States of America State Pennsylvania County Philadelphia Neighborhood Philadelphia Incorporated 1854 Area • Total 2.83 sq mi (7.3 km2) Population (2010) • Total 20,069 • Density 7,090/sq mi (2,740/km2) Postal code 19111 Area codes 215, 267, and 445 **Fox Chase** is a neighborhood in the [Northeast](/source/Northeast_Philadelphia) section of [Philadelphia](/source/Philadelphia), located approximately 10 mi (16 km) northeast of [Center City](/source/Center_City%2C_Philadelphia). Although its borders are not officially defined, the neighborhood is generally bounded by [Pennypack Park](/source/Pennypack_Park) to the north, Algon Avenue to the east, [Cottman Avenue](/source/Pennsylvania_Route_73) to the south, and Fillmore Street to the west. Adjacent neighborhoods include [Bustleton](/source/Bustleton%2C_Philadelphia), [Rhawnhurst](/source/Rhawnhurst%2C_Philadelphia), [Burholme](/source/Burholme%2C_Philadelphia), and [Rockledge](/source/Rockledge%2C_Pennsylvania) (a borough in Montgomery County). Fox Chase uses the 19111 [zip code](/source/Zip_code). ## History The exterior of the Old Fox Chase Hotel, long a familiar landmark at the bending intersection of Oxford Avenue and Pine Road, near Rhawn. The hotel, built in 1705, developed a thriving stagecoach business with the opening of the Fox Chase and Huntingdon Turnpike in 1848. Before 1870, it was owned by Elijah Hoffman, who operated it for many years. The hotel was sold and razed in 1940 to make way for a gasoline station. Fox Chase was historically part of [Lower Dublin Township](/source/Lower_Dublin_Township%2C_Pennsylvania), also known as Dublin Township, a defunct [township](/source/Township_(Pennsylvania)) located in [Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania](/source/Philadelphia_County%2C_Pennsylvania). The township ceased to exist and was incorporated into the [City of Philadelphia](/source/Philadelphia) following the passage of the [Act of Consolidation, 1854](/source/Act_of_Consolidation%2C_1854).[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] Philadelphia's elite once flocked to opulent vacation homes built in the lush fringes bordering the city. The area's character changed with the arrival of the railroad in 1876. Many of Philadelphia's [aristocracy](/source/Old_Philadelphians) began to discover the attractiveness of [suburban](/source/Suburb) living, and built [mansions](/source/Mansion) here, using the railroad for convenient transport into the city.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] The neighborhood was named after affluent colonists came to hunt in the region.[1] A [chase (land)](/source/Chase_(land)) is a specific area of land reserved for hunting. [Knowlton Mansion](/source/Knowlton_Mansion) Fox Chase was the setting for one of America's longest running cold cases. In February 1957, the battered body of a small boy was found in a cardboard box off in the woods off Susquehanna Road. Investigators were mystified and were unable to determine his identity. Nicknamed "[The Boy in the Box](/source/Murder_of_Joseph_Augustus_Zarelli)", "America's Unknown Child", and sometimes "The Fox Chase Boy".[2] He was identified as Joseph Augustus Zarelli in 2022.[3] ## Location and surrounding areas The Fox Chase section is located on the border with [Montgomery County](/source/Montgomery_County%2C_Pennsylvania) and there is an active and cooperative business community that crosses the county line into Rockledge and [Huntingdon Valley](/source/Huntingdon_Valley%2C_Pennsylvania). [Pennypack Park](/source/Pennypack_Park) in Fox Chase One of many [parks](/source/Park) located within Fox Chase is [Pennypack Park](/source/Pennypack_Park). It is composed of woodlands, meadows and wetlands. The banks of the Pennypack Creek runs through the park from Pine Road in Fox Chase all the way to the [Delaware River](/source/Delaware_River). The area also includes playgrounds, hiking and bike trails as well as bridle paths for horseback riding. The Pennypack Environmental Center on Verree Road is also located within the neighborhood. Many historic structures are still intact throughout Fox Chase. The Verree House on Verree Road was the site of a raid by [British](/source/United_Kingdom) troops during the [American Revolutionary War](/source/American_Revolutionary_War).[4] The trained eye can rediscover abandoned railroad grades, remnants of early mills, mill races and other reminders that generations of mankind have gathered in the "Green Heart" of [Northeast Philadelphia](/source/Northeast_Philadelphia). [Fox Chase Farm](/source/Fox_Chase_Farm) seen from Pine Road [Fox Chase Farm](/source/Fox_Chase_Farm) is one of the few remaining active farms in Philadelphia County and is used extensively by the [School District of Philadelphia](/source/School_District_of_Philadelphia). It began in 1683 as a land grant from [William Penn](/source/William_Penn) to [Lord Stanley](/source/Lord_Stanley) and then passed to the McVeigh family for over 100 years. Later, the Wistar family developed it into a self-sufficient farm until it became a Gentlemen's Farm owned by two farmers, Lorimer and Butler. Friends of Fox Chase Farm, an all-volunteer group, currently assists in maintaining and preserving this pastoral treasure for present and future generations. William Rhawn, president of the National Bank of the Republic in 1879, built a summer residence here. To design the project, he chose architect [Frank Furness](/source/Frank_Furness), whose work was synonymous with the mansions and public buildings of the [Gilded Age](/source/Gilded_Age). The banker's country estate includes a carriage house and gatekeeper's house. He called the estate “[Knowlton](/source/Knowlton_Mansion)” because it resembled the estate in [England](/source/England) of Rhawn's wife's great-grandfather, John Knowles. It has since been converted into a catering establishment. [Ryerss Mansion](/source/Ryerss_Mansion) [Ryerss Mansion](/source/Ryerss_Mansion) is also located in Fox Chase.[5] The house was built by merchant Joseph Waln Ryerss in 1859 and dramatically overlooks [Burholme Park](/source/Burholme_park), one of the highest vistas in Philadelphia. The mansion is home to a massive and eccentric collection of artifacts and antiquities from around the world, collected during the Ryerss family's extensive travels and exotic sojourns, from Europe, to Africa, to the Far East. Among the historic properties located in this neighborhood are:[6] - [Knowlton Mansion](/source/Knowlton_Mansion), designed by [Frank Furness](/source/Frank_Furness); on the National Register of Historic Places - [Ryerss Mansion](/source/Ryerss_Mansion), home of Joseph Waln Ryerss; on the National Register of Historic Places - The Verree House, site of a raid by British troops during the [American Revolutionary War](/source/American_Revolutionary_War) ## Demographics The median age is 36.6 years for males and 39.0 years for females. Married couples made up 40.3 percent of the neighborhood's population. The neighborhood was 80.37 Caucasian, 8.63 percent African American, 4.75 percent Asian, 2.58 percent mixed race, .07 percent Native Hawaiian and 3.6 percent other race. The median household income for Fox Chase was $54,870 in 2011, compared with $34,207 for Philadelphia as a whole. The population below the poverty level in Fox Chase was 10 percent, compared with 28.4 percent for Philadelphia.[7] ## Business The largest employer of Fox Chase is the internationally known [Fox Chase Cancer Center](/source/Fox_Chase_Cancer_Center), a unique facility that merges cancer research with the treatment of cancer.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] Its researchers have won [Nobel Prizes](/source/Nobel_Prize) for their contributions. ## Transportation Fox Chase [SEPTA](/source/SEPTA) station Public transportation is provided by several [SEPTA](/source/SEPTA) bus routes and the [Fox Chase Line](/source/Fox_Chase_Line) regional rail service which terminates near Rhawn Street and Oxford Avenue.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] ## Education ### Public libraries The Fox Chase Branch of the [Philadelphia Free Library](/source/Philadelphia_Free_Library) is located at 501 Rhawn St. at Jeanes Street.[8] ### Schools Fox Chase Elementary School a.k.a. Fox Chase Academics Plus School is a public elementary school of the [School District of Philadelphia](/source/School_District_of_Philadelphia).[9] Located at 500 Rhawn St. near the library, it serves children grades K to 5. Students move on to Baldi Middle School,[10] and [George Washington High School](/source/George_Washington_High_School_(Philadelphia)).[11] Saint Cecilia is a Roman Catholic School, from grades Pre-K to 8. Saint Cecilia's is a part of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Saint Cecilia School and church is located on 535 Rhawn St. ## Houses of worship Fox Chase United Methodist Church, Loney & Fillmore Streets St. Stephen Orthodox Cathedral, Verree Road - Fox Chase United Methodist Church is located at 201 Loney St. at the intersection of Filmore and Loney streets. - St. Cecilia Catholic Church, 535 Rhawn St., also has a school with grades from kindergarten to eighth grade. The "new" church opened in 1955 and the first church was located just to the west of the "new" church. It was built underground with the expectations of adding an upper level, but the depression in 1929 and World War II caused this addition to be held off until 1955. - St. Stephen Orthodox Cathedral is located at 8598 Verree Road (next to Pennypack Park). - Bethel International Missions Center, 460 Rhawn St., a Brazilian congregation. - Memorial Presbyterian Church of Fox Chase, 7902 Oxford Ave., founded in 1884.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] ## Location Fox Chase's boundaries are: - Northeast/East, [Pennypack Creek](/source/Pennypack_Creek) ([Bustleton, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania](/source/Bustleton%2C_Philadelphia%2C_Pennsylvania)) - West/Northwest, Filmore Street ([Rockledge, Pennsylvania](/source/Rockledge%2C_Pennsylvania) and [Abington, Pennsylvania](/source/Abington_Township%2C_Montgomery_County%2C_Pennsylvania)) - Southwest, Township Line Road ([Cheltenham, Pennsylvania](/source/Cheltenham%2C_Pennsylvania)) - South, Cottman Avenue ([Lawncrest, Philadelphia](/source/Lawncrest%2C_Philadelphia), [Cheltenham Township](/source/Cheltenham_Township%2C_Pennsylvania) and [Elkins Park, Pennsylvania](/source/Elkins_Park%2C_Pennsylvania)) - East, Algon Avenue ([Rhawnhurst](/source/Rhawnhurst%2C_Philadelphia) section of [Philadelphia](/source/Philadelphia)) ## Notable residents - [Erick Stakelbeck](/source/Erick_Stakelbeck) (born 1976), author and television host[12] ## See also Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Fox Chase, Philadelphia](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Fox_Chase,_Philadelphia). - [Philadelphia portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Philadelphia) - [Fox Chase Cancer Center](/source/Fox_Chase_Cancer_Center) - [Knowlton Mansion](/source/Knowlton_Mansion) ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Winberg, Michaela (July 6, 2018). ["How 43 Philly neighborhoods got their names"](https://billypenn.com/2018/07/06/how-43-philly-neighborhoods-got-their-names/). *Billy Penn at WHYY*. Retrieved January 15, 2025. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Vidocq Society Believes They Are Close To Figuring Out 'The Boy In The Box' In 61-Year-Old Philly Cold Case"](https://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2020/11/11/memorial-services-held-for-boy-in-the-box-decades-after-murder-remains-unsolved-mystery/). *CBS News*. November 11, 2020. Retrieved September 25, 2021. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Philadelphia Police identify the "Boy in the Box" after 65 years"](https://web.archive.org/web/20221208161504/https://phl17.com/phl17-news/philadelphia-police-identify-the-boy-in-the-box-after-65-years/). *PHL17.com*. December 8, 2022. Archived from [the original](https://phl17.com/phl17-news/philadelphia-police-identify-the-boy-in-the-box-after-65-years/) on December 8, 2022. Retrieved January 15, 2025. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Historical Northeast Philadelphia"](https://bricep.net/archive/northeast_philly_history/vereeville.html). *bricep.net*. Retrieved January 15, 2025. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Kyriakodis, Harry (September 19, 2017). ["Inside Northeast Philly's Temple Of Ryerss"](https://hiddencityphila.org/2017/09/inside-northeast-phillys-temple-of-ryerss/). *Hidden City Philadelphia*. Retrieved January 15, 2025. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Jaffe, Alan (October 4, 2010). ["Look Up! 19th Century rural retreats in Northeast Philly"](https://whyy.org/articles/look-19th-century-rural-retreats-northeast-philly/). *WHYY*. Retrieved January 15, 2025. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Fox Chase, Philadelphia, PA"](http://www.city-data.com/neighborhood/Fox-Chase-Philadelphia-PA.html). *city-data.com*. Retrieved January 12, 2015. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** "[Fox Chase Branch](http://libwww.library.phila.gov/branches/branch.cfm?loc=FOX)." *[Free Library of Philadelphia](/source/Free_Library_of_Philadelphia)*. Retrieved on November 7, 2008. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** "[Fox Chase Elementary School Geographic Boundaries](https://webapps.philasd.org/sp_files/boundary_maps/8260.pdf) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20161211083106/https://webapps.philasd.org/sp_files/boundary_maps/8260.pdf) 2016-12-11 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)." [School District of Philadelphia](/source/School_District_of_Philadelphia). Retrieved on December 11, 2016. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** "[C. C. A. Baldi Middle School Geographic Boundaries](https://webapps.philasd.org/sp_files/boundary_maps/8160.pdf) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160304023818/https://webapps.philasd.org/sp_files/boundary_maps/8160.pdf) 2016-03-04 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)." [School District of Philadelphia](/source/School_District_of_Philadelphia). Retrieved on December 11, 2016. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** "[George Washington High School Geographic Boundaries](https://webapps.philasd.org/sp_files/boundary_maps/8030.pdf) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160304024134/https://webapps.philasd.org/sp_files/boundary_maps/8030.pdf) 2016-03-04 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)." [School District of Philadelphia](/source/School_District_of_Philadelphia). Retrieved on December 11, 2016. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Local honorees to be awarded by Zionist organization"](https://northeasttimes.com/2014/09/04/local-honorees-to-be-awarded-by-zionist-organization/). *Northeast Times*. September 4, 2014. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230810225230/https://northeasttimes.com/2014/09/04/local-honorees-to-be-awarded-by-zionist-organization/) from the original on August 10, 2023. ## External links - [Fox Chase Homeowners Association](http://www.foxchasehomeowners.org/) - [Fox Chase Soccer Club](http://www.foxchasesoccer.org/) - [Fox Chase Elementary School](http://webgui.phila.k12.pa.us/schools/f/foxchase/) - [Fox-Rok Athletic Association](http://www.foxrokaa.com/) - [Historic Photographs of Fox Chase](http://www.phillyhistory.org/PhotoArchive/Search.aspx?type=area&neighborhood=Fox%2BChase&updateDays=0&sortOrderM=Distance&minx=2708961.888286&miny=271961.185731&maxx=2723211.888286&maxy=288586.185731&start=0&limit=12&mstart=0&mlimit=12), PhillyHistory.org - [St. Mary's Ukrainian Cemetery](https://www.localcemeteries.net/montgomery-county/2017/9/5/st-marys-ukrainian-cemetery) / 438 Cedar Road, Fox Chase, Pennsylvania. v t e Communities of Philadelphia Former municipalities are below. Sections and Neighborhoods Center City Avenue of the Arts Broad Street Chinatown Fitler Square Franklin Square Jewelers' Row Logan Square Old City Penn's Landing Rittenhouse Square Society Hill South Street Washington Square West South Bella Vista Central South Philadelphia Devil's Pocket Dickinson Square West East Passyunk Crossing Fabric Row FDR Park Girard Estate Grays Ferry Greenwich Hawthorne Italian Market Little Saigon Lower Moyamensing Marconi Plaza Moyamensing Newbold Packer Park Passyunk Square Pennsport Point Breeze Queen Village Southwark Southwest Center City Sports Complex West Passyunk Wharton Whitman Wilson Park Southwest Angora Bartram Village Clearview Eastwick Elmwood Park Hog Island Kingsessing Mount Moriah Paschall Southwest Schuylkill West Avenue of Technology Belmont Village Carroll Park Cathedral Park Centennial District Cedar Park Cobbs Creek Dunlap Garden Court Haddington Haverford North Mantua Mill Creek Overbrook Overbrook Farms Overbrook Park Parkside Powelton Village Saunders Park Spruce Hill Squirrel Hill 30th Street Station University City Walnut Hill Woodland Terrace Wynnefield Wynnefield Heights North Lower North Badlands Belfield Brewerytown Callowhill Cecil B. Moore El Centro de Oro / Fairhill Fairmount Francisville Hartranft Ivy Hill Ludlow N3RD Street North Central Northern Liberties North Philadelphia East North Philadelphia West Poplar Sharswood South Lehigh Spring Garden Stanton Strawberry Mansion Yorktown Upper North Allegheny West Badlands Franklinville Glenwood Hunting Park Nicetown–Tioga Olde Kensington Swampoodle West Kensington Olney-Oak Lane East Oak Lane Feltonville Fern Rock Koreatown Logan Ogontz Olney West Oak Lane Northwest Lower Northwest Andorra East Falls Manayunk Parkland Roxborough Wissahickon Upper Northwest Beggarstown Cedarbrook Chestnut Hill Germantown Morton Mount Airy Wister Northeast Near Northeast Burholme Castor Gardens Crescentville Fox Chase Frankford Holme Circle Holmesburg Juniata Lawndale Lexington Park Mayfair Oxford Circle Rhawnhurst Ryers Tacony Wissinoming Far Northeast Academy Gardens Ashton-Woodenbridge Bustleton Byberry Crestmont Farms Millbrook Modena Park Morrell Park Normandy Parkwood Pennypack Somerton Torresdale Upper Holmesburg Winchester Park River Wards Bridesburg Fishtown Harrowgate Kensington Olde Richmond Port Richmond Former Municipalities Cities Philadelphia (Center City) Boroughs Aramingo Bridesburg Frankford Germantown Manayunk West Philadelphia Whitehall Districts Belmont Kensington Moyamensing Northern Liberties Penn Richmond Southwark Spring Garden Townships Blockley Bristol Byberry Delaware Germantown Kingsessing Lower Dublin Moreland Northern Liberties Oxford Passyunk Penn Roxborough Footnotes As a consolidated city-county Philadelphia is its own county seat. --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Fox Chase, Philadelphia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fox_Chase%2C_Philadelphia) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fox_Chase%2C_Philadelphia?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.