Sometimes the backside is the best side
January 26, 2024
It’s not always what’s up front that counts the most.
Buried Treasures No. 1: The Franklin Sugar Refinery
January 25, 2024
Only a ghost now remains of what was one of the largest sugar refining complexes in the United States.
The ecology of Center City, Philadelphia (in case you didn’t know there was any)
January 23, 2024
A fascinating book about nature where you’d least expect it.
Map Lovers’ Monday: An Introduction
January 22, 2024
This website is a safe haven for anyone afflicted with cartographilia.
Sewer systems, City of Philadelphia, 1927 and 1929
January 20, 2024
Removing the city’s wastes, almost a century ago, was not as efficient as it is today. These maps help tell the story.
West Philadelphia (or 24th Ward) Water Works, 1855-1870
January 16, 2024
One-of-a-kind drawings of a long-forgotten part of the Philadelphia water system.
Early photographs of Fairmount and vicinity, 1848
January 16, 2024
Some of the oldest photographs of any Philadelphia scenes depict the Fairmount Water Works.
Early visions of Philadelphia’s airport
January 16, 2024
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.
Frankford Creek Watershed: A historical overview of the Philadelphia section
January 16, 2024
A summary of important infrastructure changes in the Frankford Creek watershed within the city.
Report on channelization of Frankford Creek for flood control (1947)
January 15, 2024
An important report that oulined a project that forever changed the course of one of the city’s largest creeks.
Fishing in Philadelphia
January 9, 2024
Who knew how many fish lived in the rivers and streams around Philadelphia? Not me!
Frankford Creek Watershed Historical Timeline
January 8, 2024
A classic post from PhillyH2o, refreshed with new high-resolution images.