Philadelphia in the late 1800s offered little opportunity for the well-being of young children. The cholera epidemic ran rampant throughout the streets of the city, and parents of sick children looked for an opportunity of hope. In response to the epidemic, citizens of Philadelphia established the Sanitarium Association of Philadelphia, now known as Soupy Island. The purpose of the association was to separate the sick children from the healthy and to provide an opportunity for the sick to enjoy time outdoors, away from the city pollution. 

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As the organization continued to grow, it purchased 104 acres in West Deptford. The organization transitioned an old hotel into a hospital for sick children, which operated until 1936. Since the hospital's removal, children sought Soupy Island's grounds for other reasons--finding it as a great way to escape the crowded and busy streets of Philadelphia and surrounding neighborhoods. 

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Soupy Island still remains a favorite spot for young children during the summer months. Its remaining 13 acres are managed by the park manager, Armand Perez, a handyman who has kept the grounds in-shape for nearly 20 years.