Levittown: "It Was Wonderful"

Locals celebrate 60 years of Levittown, the trend-setting, post-war suburb of Philadelphia. Meanwhile nearby, a 17th century mansion is saved.

1 minute read

June 25, 2012, 1:00 PM PDT

By Tim Halbur


The reflections of numerous residents, such as Albert Wargo, the army veteran quoted in this headline, were recorded to celebrate the anniversary.

Barbara Boyer of the Inquirer explains more of the suburb's history, through an interview with Amy Duckett Wagner, author of a book on Levittown:

"The development was planned with parks, schools, and community pools, and included more than 17,300 houses built in seven years, said Amy Duckett Wagner. They were built with veterans in mind, who returned from World War II to find a shortage of affordable homes. The Rancher sold for less than $9,000 and the Country Clubber for $17,990 if it was a corner unit."

Monday, June 25, 2012 in The Philadelphia Inquirer

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Wastewater pouring out from a pipe.

Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage

Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”

April 13, 2025 - Inside Climate News

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Black and white photos of camp made up of small 'earthquake shacks' in Dolores Park in 1906 after the San Francisco earthquake.

The 120 Year Old Tiny Home Villages That Sheltered San Francisco’s Earthquake Refugees

More than a century ago, San Francisco mobilized to house thousands of residents displaced by the 1906 earthquake. Could their strategy offer a model for the present?

April 15, 2025 - Charles F. Bloszies

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

8 minutes ago - Housing Wire

White BART public transit train at Coliseum station in Oakland, California.

NRDC Releases State Transportation Scorecard

The Getting Transportation Right report highlights which states are making the most progress on reducing transportation emissions and improving access to clean transportation options.

1 hour ago - Natural Resources Defense Council

Canada geese on lawn in city park with high-rise buildings in background in Vancouver, Canada.

Study: How Urban Parks Can Support Biodiversity

Conservation and recreation can go hand in hand in urban green spaces designed to serve both humans and local wildlife.

2 hours ago - Inside Climate News