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What Philadelphia looked like in the 1980s Through These Fascinating Photos

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The Crime rates in the 1980s Philadelphia were very high. South Philadelphia was ravaged by Mafia warfare, gangs invaded the slums, and the murder rate skyrocketed. The city elected its first Black mayor in 1983, W. Wilson Goode, whose first administration was marred by the 1985 Move tragedy. In Center City, giant modern skyscrapers were designed by world-renowned architects in the Old City and South Street areas. Labor contracts signed by city employees during the Rizzo administration contributed to the city’s financial crisis that Green and Goode could not prevent. At the end of the 1980s, the city was on the verge of bankruptcy.

After the end of the Laotian Civil War associated with the Vietnam War in the 1970s, a group of Hmong refugees settled in Philadelphia. They were attacked in discriminatory acts, and the city’s Commission on Human Relations held hearings to investigate. The Hmong population in Philadelphia left for other cities in the United States between 1982 and 1984, and three-quarters moved to live with relatives in other states. During the 1980s, many Vietnamese and other Asian immigrants settled in the city, particularly in the Italian Market area. Moreover, many Hispanic immigrants from Central and South America have settled in North Philadelphia.

Here are some fascinating photos that offer a glimpse into 1980s Philadelphia.

#2 Fans of the Rolling Stones enjoying the concert at JFK Stadium 1981 in Philadelphia.

Fans of the Rolling Stones enjoying the concert at JFK Stadium 1981 in Philadelphia.

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#4 Septa Route 56 trolley service on Erie Ave. passing under the Frankford El, 1989

Septa Route 56 trolley service on Erie Ave. passing under the Frankford El, 1989

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#6 Lit Brothers Building – Philadelphia, 1980s

Lit Brothers Building - Philadelphia, 1980s

On Market Street, between Seventh and Eighth Streets, is a block of buildings in the Renaissance Revival Victorian style. The buildings were built between 1859 and 1918.

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#14 2166 at Torresdale/Kensington. Erie Avenue is on the other side of the El. 21 August 1987.

2166 at Torresdale/Kensington. Erie Avenue is on the other side of the El. 21 August 1987.

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#16 George Thorogood Performs At Veteran’s Stadium, 1981

George Thorogood Performs At Veteran's Stadium, 1981

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#19 Southwest corner of 11th and Spruce Streets, 1980s

Southwest corner of 11th and Spruce Streets, 1980s

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#25 A SEPTA PCC car rolls past Reading Terminal Market at the corner of 12th and Filbert in downtown Philadelphia

A SEPTA PCC car rolls past Reading Terminal Market at the corner of 12th and Filbert in downtown Philadelphia

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#26 A demonstrator with a sign during an anti-inflation rally in Independence National Historical Park, Philadelphia, October 1984.

A demonstrator with a sign during an anti-inflation rally in Independence National Historical Park, Philadelphia, October 1984.

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#27 A SEPTA (Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority) Flexible bus, photographed in West Philadelphia, 1985

A SEPTA (Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority) Flexible bus, photographed in West Philadelphia, 1985

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#34 Relatives and supporters of the radical back-to-nature group MOVE conduct an anniversary march through the Osage street neighborhood.

Relatives and supporters of the radical back-to-nature group MOVE conduct an anniversary march through the Osage street neighborhood.

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#35 Two male students walk through the winter snow on the campus of Drexel University.

Two male students walk through the winter snow on the campus of Drexel University.

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#37 Northeast corner of 13th and Locust Streets, 1980s

Northeast corner of 13th and Locust Streets, 1980s

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#41 2778 at Germantown/Erie/Broad IB, Philadelphia, 1980s

2778 at Germantown/Erie/Broad IB, Philadelphia, 1980s

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#45 2662 at Germantown/Schoolhouse Lane OB, Philadelphia, 1980s

2662 at Germantown/Schoolhouse Lane OB, Philadelphia, 1980s

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#46 Northeast corner showing the ground level retail space topped by the marble-clad, triple-height banking floor.

Northeast corner showing the ground level retail space topped by the marble-clad, triple-height banking floor.

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#49 The Parkway House 2201 Pennsylvania Avenue The Parkway Philadelphia PA Buick Regal American Car MGS & Jean Spafford

The Parkway House 2201 Pennsylvania Avenue The Parkway Philadelphia PA Buick Regal American Car MGS & Jean Spafford

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#50 South Street from 4th Street Philadelphia April 1984 Eye’s Gallery on the left and Jim’s Steaks barely visible on the left front.

South Street from 4th Street Philadelphia April 1984 Eye's Gallery on the left and Jim's Steaks barely visible on the left front.

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#51 Viaduct carrying SEPTA Regional Rail trackage from 30th Street Station across the Schuylkill River to Suburban Station.

Viaduct carrying SEPTA Regional Rail trackage from 30th Street Station across the Schuylkill River to Suburban Station.

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#52 Street-level view along 12th Street with the office building entrance in the foreground.

Street-level view along 12th Street with the office building entrance in the foreground.

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#53 A young boy looks in the window a house (built in 1720) on Elfreth’s Alley in the Old City neighborhood , Philadelphia, 1980.

A young boy looks in the window a house (built in 1720) on Elfreth's Alley in the Old City neighborhood , Philadelphia, 1980.

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#62 SEPTA PCC car 2710 (refurbished 1980) on Girard Ave. approaching Lancaster Ave., West Philadelphia, 1985

SEPTA PCC car 2710 (refurbished 1980) on Girard Ave. approaching Lancaster Ave., West Philadelphia, 1985

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#63 5 The Philadelphia Police Department was using both the mid-size Ford LTD and full-size Crown Victoria platforms at that time, Philadelphia, 1985

5 The Philadelphia Police Department was using both the mid-size Ford LTD and full-size Crown Victoria platforms at that time, Philadelphia, 1985

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#64 Southeast corner of 22nd and Chestnut Streets, 1980s

Southeast corner of 22nd and Chestnut Streets, 1980s

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#65 PCC 2710, outbound on Route 10, has just emerged from the subway, and is about to pass Kawasaki 9078, in training service.

PCC 2710, outbound on Route 10, has just emerged from the subway, and is about to pass Kawasaki 9078, in training service.

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#66 Heading east on Route 56. 2099 is now in San Francisco. October 27, 1982.

Heading east on Route 56. 2099 is now in San Francisco. October 27, 1982.

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#68 SEPTA’s AEM7 test train has been reconfigured to point south, and is now leaving Lansdale to return to Philadelphia, 1980s

SEPTA’s AEM7 test train has been reconfigured to point south, and is now leaving Lansdale to return to Philadelphia, 1980s

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#69 Air-electric PCC 2653 was one of the last six air-electrics to operate in the City of Brotherly Love in 1982.

Air-electric PCC 2653 was one of the last six air-electrics to operate in the City of Brotherly Love in 1982.

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#70 Philadelphia PCC fantrip, cruising along Route 23 on a quiet Sunday morning.

Philadelphia PCC fantrip, cruising along Route 23 on a quiet Sunday morning.

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#80 Around the corner from South Street Philadelphia, 1984

Around the corner from South Street Philadelphia, 1984

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#84 Demonstrators At An Anti-Inflation Rally in Independence National Historical Park, Philadelphia, October 1984.

Demonstrators At An Anti-Inflation Rally in Independence National Historical Park, Philadelphia, October 1984.

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#103 A 1962 Chevy school bus sitting outside the projects in North Philly in the Summer of 1985

A 1962 Chevy school bus sitting outside the projects in North Philly in the Summer of 1985

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Written by Aung Budhh

Husband + Father + librarian + Poet + Traveler + Proud Buddhist. I love you with the breath, the smiles and the tears of all my life.

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11 Comments

  1. Boy, do those pix bring back memories of my time there! I swear that guy in the photo “13th and Arch looking south” walking towards the camera with the tie and white shirt is my old pal Chris.

    Loved going to those Center City music shops digging through the bins looking for vinyl bargains and rarities.

    I miss the old, dirty Philly.

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