Joel Spivak was “All Philadelphia”- an architect, preservationist, and civic activist. Joel passed away, April 2025. I was honored to know him. We are re-posting the 2021 video about Joel’s formative years. He was “born to be wild”.
Let’s tune in the adventures of Joel Spivak, who lived in Philly’s West Oak Lane neighborhood from the mid 1940’s until 1960. Joel was quite an urban explorer. He remains so to this day. In fact, long ago Spivak adopted Cole Porter’s “Don’t Fence Me In” as his anthem. Joel’s an architect, artist and author and he’s also contributing mightily to the revival of South Street. Spivak’s working on a history of that vaunted thoroughfare. Joel is a published authority on trains and trolleys and is the founder of Philly’s National Hot Dog Month.
Moviehouse Productions 
Was Joel Spivak related to my orthodontist Walter Spivak from Wynnefield on 54 th street.
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will try to get you an answer…
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not related.
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I had to do a little research there. I couldn’t believe he walked home from Broad and Pattison! I did not know that earlier on the Phillies had their stadium at Broad and Lehigh. OK, that makes a bit more sense! Thanks for the memories!
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Joel walked home from Shibe Park , 21st Street and Lehigh Avenue. The Phillies moved out of Baker Bowl their Broad and Lehigh home, in 1938.
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