My ultimate goal is to eventually post a comprehensive list of all reports relating to Philadelphia’s water supply, from the late 18th century to the present, with links to PDFs of each. It may be a while before I complete that task, but in the meantime I want to share what I have either found […]
This post is where this website (under a couple of different names) began more than 20 years ago. The text is still the same, but I have added new maps and new high-resolution images that are worth checking out.
Marshland and more from the state across the river.
Missing a plane, the old-fashioned way: by human error.
When it comes to mapmaking, more is not necessarily better (but sometimes it is).
The Philadelphia and South Jersey waterfront on the eve of World War II.
TITLE BLOCK Map of a reconnaissance of the approaches to Philadelphia showing the positions and lines of defence on the north front of the city. Made under the direction of A.D. Bache, Supt. U.S. Coast Survey, Engineer in Charge of the Defences ; general field reconnaissance by George Davidson, Assistant U.S. Coast Survey ; details […]
These maps document four years spent looking for an alternative drinking water sources for Philadelphia in the mid-1880s. After all that work, the supply stayed the same – the dirty Delaware and smelly Schuylkill.
The Schuykill River near the peak of its industrial might, in 1913.
From the city to the shore to the mountains, this fun, colorful map has it all.
Three maps from the1870 Annual Report of the Commissioners of Fairmount Park In 1868, Fairmount Park was enlarged to more than 2000 acres with the purchase of land on both banks of the Schuylkill River. One goal of this purchase, and a later purchase of land along Wissahickon Creek, was to protect water quality in […]
A surprising urban nature center in North Philadelphia.
Maps of the Pennypack Creek watershed, which is mostly protected by a gem of a park in Northeast Philadelphia.
Map showing transportation routes in Philadelphia and vicinity, focusing mainly on the suburbs, with many interesting details.
A modelmakers’ brochure with local buildings inspires me to find out what came before.
This Victorian burial ground, in the Cobbs Creek watershed, almost disappeared back into the woods. Read about its comeback, and how you can help.
A priceless set of plans documenting a water supply proposal that amounted to nothing.
It’s not always what’s up front that counts the most.
Only a ghost now remains of what was one of the largest sugar refining complexes in the United States.
A fascinating book about nature where you’d least expect it.
This website is a safe haven for anyone afflicted with cartographilia.
Removing the city’s wastes, almost a century ago, was not as efficient as it is today. These maps help tell the story.
One-of-a-kind drawings of a long-forgotten part of the Philadelphia water system.
Some of the oldest photographs of any Philadelphia scenes depict the Fairmount Water Works.
Air travel has changed dramatically in the past 90 years, devolving from an exciting new form of travel into just another form of mass transit.