as a borough on April 1, 1848; it included the peninsula between the lower Frankford Creek and the Delaware River, and beyond Richmond district, the boundary lying near the projected line of Pike street, not far from Wheat Sheaf Lane. It was first called Kirkbridesburg, for Joseph Kirkbride, who operated a ferry to New Jersey, and in 1811 built a toll bridge at Bridge street over Frankford Creek. About one-hundred forty years ago, the villagers decided the name was too long, and shortened it to Bridesburg. In 1854, the borough was annexed to the city of Philadelphia in the Act of Consolidation. Bridesburg is home to the second oldest VFW Post in the world, founded in 1899. Bridesburg is also home to the Joseph A. Ferko String Band. The Ferko String Band is a member of the Philadelphia String Band Association, which is a division of the Philadelphia Mummers Parade. Population As of the 2010 Census, Bridesburg had a population of 8,638, of which 90% was white, 5.5% Hispanic, 1.9% was black or African-American, 0.6% was Asian, and the remaining 2% was other or mixed races. Notable occupants and landmarks Betsy Ross Bridge Bridesburg Recreation Center Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery Dow Chemical Company AdvanSix Phenol Plant Historic Bridesburg School (listed on the National Register of Historic Places; it was demolished in the late 2000s.) Aqua String Band Ferko String Band Churches For its size, Bridesburg is the home of a large number of churches: All Saints Roman Catholic Church, Thompson and Buckius Streets, designed by noted ecclesiastical architect Edwin Forrest Durang. (Parish closed. Building stands) Bridesburg Emanuel United Church of Christ, Fillmore and Thompson Streets Bridesburg Methodist Episcopal Church, 2717 Kirkbride St. First Presbyterian Church of Bridesburg, 2770 Pratt St. (closed) First Baptist Church of Bridesburg, 2715 Lefevre St. (closed) Grace Baptist Church of Bridesburg, 4544 Almond St. ReaLife Church, Buckius and Richmond Streets St. John Cantius Roman Catholic Church, 4415 Almond St. Cemeteries Holy Redeemer Cemetery Emanuel United Church of Christ Cemetery, Fillmore and Almond Streets All Saints Church Cemetery Education The School District of Philadelphia operates Bridesburg Elementary School, which serves elementary school students. Residents are also zoned to Warren G. Harding Middle School and Frankford High School. At one time, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia operated two Catholic schools in Bridesburg: All Saints School (1864-2004) and St. John Cantius School. Pope John Paul II Regional Catholic