Items

Historic resources from our archives - images, maps, documents, and more.

Philadelphia from Belmont, West Park (Picturesque America)

Schuylkill River at Landsdowne

Schuylkill River at Lansdowne (Picturesque America)

Schuylkill River at Rockland Landing (Picturesque America)

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

Centre Square Engine House, location of one of two steam engines used in the city’s original water system. Engraving by Birch.

Centre Square Engine House, ca. 1807

Black-and-white image shows several people talking in the foreground and figures on horses on a hill in the background

A Day in the Ma’sh – Bell Snicklin’

State House Garden, Philadelphia, 1800

New Market, in South Second Street, Philadelphia, 1800

High Street, with the First Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, 1800

The City and Port of Philadelphia on the River Delaware from Kensington, 1800

Ornate black-and-white title page to the 1836 sheet music for The Fairmount Quadrilles

The Fairmount Quadrilles, 1836

Race Bridge, Fair Mount Water Works, 1834 (Graff05.63)

Race Bridge, Fairmount Water Works, 1834