While eating pizza at In Riva restaurant near Kelly Drive in Philadelphia after a self-guided tour of historic houses in Fairmount Park – and even walking through the parking lot between the buildings – we completely missed the newly restored diner south of the Rt. 1 overpass called the Trolley Car Cafe ((Trolley Car Cafe, 3269 S. Ferry Road at Kelly Drive, East Falls)) in the historic “Bathey House”. Opened in 2010 through the combined efforts of the Fairmount Park Historic Trust, local government and private organizations ((Fairmount Park Historic Trust)). Mayor Nutter was at the opening ceremonies in this isolated corner of the park. The building also brings together a community welcome center, on-site bike rental and repair store ((Wheel Fun Rentals)), on-site kitchen garden and other sustainable programs.
The Bathey House was built in the 1930s ((“Fairmount Park’s gem status hyped”)) as a changing facility for a city swimming pool, later abandoned and filled in. The restoration project by KSK Architects won a Grand Jury Award from the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia in 2011.
A sister store location, The Trolley Car Diner & Deli opened in 2000 on Germantown Avenue, four miles north as the crow flies (now closed), using a restored diner relocated from Wilkes Barre, PA.
Bathey House before renovation
Johnny Mañana’s is another restaurant nearby at 4201 Ridge Avenue, with good reviews. At the other end of Kelly Drive, Wheel Fun also rents bikes at Llyoyd Hall on Boathouse Row, and there are a few restaurants near the Fairmount Water Works.
Know any more good (historic) restaurants near Fairmount Park for hungry tourists on an architectural pilgrimage around Fairmount Park and the East Falls area? Contact us with your favorites.
Notes
- Theresa Everline, “Revival in Philly: After a green renovation, a bath house thrives as a café,” National Trust for Historic Preservation
- “East Falls Heritage Tour” Destination Schuylkill River.org
Eight-mile loop trail from East Falls to the Art Museum that crosses the River at the historic Falls Bridge, past buildings with a variety of architectural styles.