Among its most prominent developers was financier Clarence Howard Clark Sr. (1833 – 1906), who built dozens of rowhouses, donated land for the Walnut Street West Branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia, settled a tax assessment by founding the 9.1-acre Clark Park, and established his mansion on the grassy block that today holds the Penn Alexander public elementary school.
A key figure in its development was financier Clarence Howard Clark Sr. (1833 – 1906), who constructed numerous residential buildings, contributed to the creation of the Walnut Street West Branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia, resolved a tax dispute by founding Clark Park, and established his residence on the current site of the Penn Alexander public elementary school.