[4] Francisville's street grid is unique because some of it is parallel to Ridge Avenue, rather than being oriented north-south.

This is because this section was settled before the uniform street grid of Philadelphia had extended that far north.

The community was likely a small village on the Ridge Avenue route from Philadelphia proper (today's Center City) to East Falls.

A city program called the Neighborhood Transformation Initiative has brought the wrecking ball to many properties, with the hopes that building some new structures in the region is a better solution than costly renovations to blighted historic buildings.

The neighborhood is served by Broad Street subway stations at Fairmount and Girard, the SEPTA Route 15 trolley on Girard Avenue, in addition to the 2, 33, and 61 bus routes.