Fairmount Water Works and the Schuylkill River, 1838
This 1838 view, by John T. Bowen, “captures the pleasures of Fairmount in its heyday,” writes historian Jane Mork Gibson. “The neat beauty of the works set into a gentle landscape, steep paths and steps that offered an exhilirating contrast to the general flatness of Philadelphia, as well as the excitement of boat races on the river and refreshments offered in the former Engine House, all prompted the admiring comments of visitors.”
"...By 1843 the mill house had reached its capacity, with eight water wheels in operation. By then the engine house had been converted into a saloon serving refreshments, and the quarry to the south of the water works had been transformed into the South Garden and Esplanade. With a staircase leading up to the heights of the reservoir providing beautiful views of the river to the west and the city to the east, the Fairmount Water Works became one of the city’s must-see tourist destinations."