Items

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

Color drawing of an elevated water reservoir on the banks of a river with green land shown on either bank

Isometrical View of Fairmount Water Works, 1843

The 1815 Engine House (shown here in an 1819 print) housed two steam-powered pumps that drew water from the Schuylkill River and pumped it into the reservoirs above the building, on top of Faire Mount. The artist showed smoke pouring from the south chimney, indicating that the South Engine was operating. The bridge just downstream was the covered Upper Ferry Bridge, an incredible 340 feet long, also completed in 1815. Designed and constructed by Lewis Wernwag, a native of Germany who had studied engineering there, the bridge opened in 1813. Formally called the Upper Ferry Bridge, it was also known as the “Colossus of Philadelphia” because — like the mythical Colossus of Rhodes — the bridge was held up only by piers at its two ends, with no intermediate supports. Made entirely of wood, the bridge was destroyed by fire in 1838.

Fair Mount Water Works engine house, 1819

Black-and-white image showing sewer outlet, retaining walls and body of water

Cohocksink Sewer System outlet at Laurel Street

Logan Demanding Flood Relief, 8/18/38

Sewer Demand Taken to City Hall, 7/25/32

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

Plan of the City of Philadelphia and Adjoining Districts, 1830

Plan of the City of Philadelphia and Adjoining Districts, 1830

Map of the County of Philadelphia from Actual Survey, 1839 (la000784a)

Map of the County of Philadelphia from Actual Survey, 1843

Outline Map of the County and City of Philadelphia and Vicinity (wd000516)

Outline Map of the County and City of Philadelphia and Vicinity, 1883

Birkinbine Schuylkill Hydrographical Survey 1861-66

Schuylkill River Hydrographical Survey 1861-66 by H. P. M. Birkinbine

Captain Sewer and Michael Nutter, 1998

Captain Sewer and Michael Nutter, 1998

Spring Garden water testing lab, 1901

Bureau of Water Spring Garden Testing Station, 1901