Places Philadelphia

This 1838 view of the Fairmount Water Works with the Schuylkill River in the distance, 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.”

Fairmount Water Works and the Schuylkill River, 1838

Portrait of Frederick Graff with Centre Square Water Works in the background, by James Peale, 1804. (Philadelphia History Museum at the Atwater Kent)

Frederick Graff portrait with Centre Square Water Works in background

Fourth of July in Centre Square, John Lewis Krimmel, ca. 1812. The wooden statue in the fountain, “Allegory of the Schuylkill River (Water Nymph and Bittern)”, was carved in 1809 by Philadelphia sculptor William Rush.

Fourth of July, Centre Square, ca. 1812

Second Bank of Pennsylvania, South Second Street, Philadelphia

Bill for Privy Cleaning, 1869

Black-and-white reproduction of the title page of an old periodical

19th century life in South Philadelphia’s marshland

Black-and-white image of two young women hugging

Scenes on 44th Street Photo Album, 1914-1916

Black-and-white photo of a man with a mustache and two girls in dresses and hats walking through an empty intersection.

Coming from West Philadelphia Station, April 18, 1914

Black-and-white photo of two young women standing in the street in front of a large house and many trees

Two young women at 44th and Spruce, April 18, 1914

Black-and-white photo of three women standing on a sidewalk in front of a row of houses.

Minetta, her sister, and an older woman, S. 44th St, April 30, 1916

Black-and-white photo of a young woman in a long dress standing next to a sign in front of a house.

Girl and “Sample House” sign, 313 S. 44th St., April 30, 1916

Black-and-white photo of a young woman wearing a large coat and black hat in front of a house with a yard.

Minetta Baker, southwest corner of 44th and Spruce, October 1917