Collections Philadelphia Water Department

Navy Yard on the Delaware River (Picturesque America)

Appletons' Journal Schuylkill, 1869

Fairmount and Schuylkill, Appletons’ Journal, 1869

Black-and-white etching of the Wire Bridge at Fairmount, 1873

Wire Bridge at Fairmount, with canal lock and esplanade (Picturesque America)

Queen Lane Reservoir pumping station

Queen Lane Pumping Station, proposed design

Fairmount Gardens, with the Schuylkill Bridge. This 1839 engraving, published in London, shows a view of the South Garden from the walkways that brought visitors up the cliffside to the overlooks at the height of the reservoirs. The fountain used the pressure of the reservoirs and was a a delightful refreshment in hot weather, and a wonder at all times. One anachronistic element of this engraving is the Upper Ferry Bridge, which burned the year before the print was published. Harding’s Hotel, a popular resort, is at the western end of the bridge.

Fairmount Gardens with the Schuylkill Bridge, 1839

Black-and-white image showing a factory, smokestacks and smoke, and streets

Dobson’s Mill, 1884, from History of Philadelphia by Scharf & Wescott

Preparation for War to Defend Commerce

The Water Works in Centre Square, Philadelphia

Bank of Pennsylvania, South Second Street, Philadelphia

Pennsylvania Hospital in Pine Street

Alms House in Spruce Street, Philadelphia

Goal (jail) in Walnut Street, Philadelphia, 1800