Philadelphia’s vibrant neighborhoods are filled with stories, and the Cobbs Creek Branch Library, serving the community around 58th Street, is a key place to uncover them. This branch, officially known as the Blanche A. Nixon/Cobbs Creek Branch, stands as a testament to community engagement and the evolving history of West Philadelphia. To understand the library, we must first delve into the rich history of the land it occupies.
Long before the library opened its doors, the area around Cobbs Creek was known as “Karakung” by the Lenni Lenape people. Later, Swedish settlers in the late 1600s referred to the waterway as “Mill Creek.” It eventually adopted the name Cobbs Creek after an English settler, marking the gradual transformation of the landscape. The land surrounding what became the Cobbs Creek Branch was part of the Hoffman family’s holdings since colonial times, eventually becoming part of Blockley Township in the 1800s.
By the 19th century, a bustling village named Angora thrived near the intersection of what is now 60th Street and Baltimore Avenue. Centered around mills powered by Cobbs Creek, Angora and its surrounding woods, romantically called Sherwood Forest, represented a hub of activity. However, the early 20th century brought significant change. In the 1910s, the mills and Sherwood Forest were replaced with housing developments, reflecting Philadelphia’s growth and urbanization.
Baltimore Avenue played a vital role in the development of the area. It served as a crucial artery for transporting goods from the Schuylkill River wharfs westward. The arrival of the Philadelphia Rapid Transit Company around 1905, with its electric streetcar lines on Baltimore Avenue, further spurred growth. These subway-surface trolley routes, still active today, combined with the completion of the Market Elevated in 1907, made the Cobbs Creek neighborhood increasingly accessible and attractive for residential construction.
Amidst this backdrop of historical evolution, the Cobbs Creek Branch Library emerged as a beacon of knowledge and community enrichment. Thanks to a generous grant from Andrew Carnegie, the library opened its doors on December 30, 1925. Demonstrating strong local support, the community contributed $10,000 towards building its initial book collection. The library building underwent its first renovation and refurbishment in 1957, ensuring its continued service to the neighborhood.
A significant moment in the library’s history arrived in 1990 when it was renamed the Blanche A. Nixon/Cobbs Creek Branch. This honor recognized Blanche Nixon, a dedicated local resident, community activist, and long-time library volunteer. Mrs. Nixon was instrumental in beautifying the branch, spearheading projects that included its garden and striking exterior mural, reflecting her deep commitment to the library and its surroundings.
Further modernization came in 1997 as part of the “Changing Lives” campaign. This initiative not only refurbished numerous library branches throughout the city but also brought essential Internet service to every location, including the Cobbs Creek Branch. This upgrade ensured that the library remained a relevant and vital resource in the digital age, continuing to serve the evolving needs of the community around 58th Street and beyond.
The Blanche A. Nixon/Cobbs Creek Branch Library stands as more than just a repository of books; it is a living chronicle of community history and a testament to the enduring power of libraries in fostering knowledge and engagement within their neighborhoods.
