Essington, PA Area Guide

Fort Nya Gothenburg once stood on Tinicum Island as the capital of the New Sweden colony, making this small patch of Delaware River shoreline the origin point of European settlement in Pennsylvania. Governor Johan Bjornsson Printz built his residence, The Printzhof, here in the 1640s, and the site inside present-day Governor Printz Park on 2nd Street was later declared a National Historic Landmark. Replica cabins opened by the Tinicum Township Historical Society bring that colonial era back to life each year on Community Day.

Another piece of history that still draws attention is the Philadelphia Lazaretto, constructed in Essington in 1799 as one of the first quarantine hospitals in the United States. The area's later chapter as an industrial hub also left a lasting culinary legacy: workers at the nearby Hog Island Shipyard are credited with creating the hoagie sandwich, and a local resident is credited with inventing the stromboli, naming it after a 1950 film.

Dining in Essington is casual and community-centered, reflecting the working waterfront roots of the area. The hoagie, born at the nearby Hog Island Shipyard, is part of the local culinary identity, and sandwich shops and pizza parlors carry on that tradition with hoagies, stromboli, and classic pies. After a day out on the Delaware River, many residents dock at one of the long-standing boat clubs and grab a bite -- a tradition that stretches back generations in this tight-knit community.

Most residents rely on a personal vehicle to get around, and Interstate 95 provides the primary highway connection to Philadelphia and points south. Philadelphia International Airport is less than three miles away, with the SEPTA Airport Line accessible from Airport Terminal A station about six minutes by car, offering rail service into Center City Philadelphia.

SEPTA bus routes serve the community for local trips, and several commuter rail stations -- including Prospect Park-Moore, Norwood, and Ridley Park -- are all within a ten-minute drive. For those who prefer two wheels, the relatively flat terrain and low-traffic side streets make cycling a practical option for short trips around the area.

Governor Printz Park anchors outdoor life in Essington, offering playgrounds, a splash pad, walking trails, river views, and outdoor gathering spaces on the site of a National Historic Landmark. The park hosts a popular annual flea market and car show each June, along with a Community Day celebration featuring fireworks and cornhole tournaments.

A short drive away, the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge provides a network of trails through one of the region's urban wildlife areas. Boaters can reach the secluded Little Tinicum Island Natural Area by heading out on the Delaware River, and the Scott Arboretum and Bartram's Garden are both within a twenty-minute drive for those who enjoy curated green spaces.

Rents in Essington come in well below the Pennsylvania state average, making it one of the more affordable options in the immediate suburban Philadelphia area. One-bedroom apartments average around $1,004 per month and two-bedroom units average approximately $1,296, with three-bedroom options averaging about $1,429 per month. Neighboring communities such as Norwood, Glenolden, and Prospect Park all carry higher average one-bedroom rents, positioning Essington near the bottom of the local pricing range.

Within Essington's borders, shopping options are limited given the community's small size, and most residents drive a short distance to nearby retail areas. Ridley Square and Brittany Square are each about seven minutes away by car, while Folcroft Village Shopping Center is reachable within ten minutes. Everyday grocery needs are typically handled at a large-format retailer convenient to the community, with additional options opening up as you head north toward the broader Delaware County corridor.

Essington pairs genuine colonial history -- including the Printzhof National Historic Landmark and the Philadelphia Lazaretto -- with affordable rents, Delaware River waterfront access, and a straight shot to Philadelphia via I-95 and the SEPTA Airport Line, all from one of the smallest and most historically layered communities in Delaware County.