Subjects Infrastructure

Relative to Philadelphia's water and sewer systems, this includes pipes, pumps, plants, water works, reservoirs and other water storage facilities, and other aboveground and underground structures related to the city’s water supply, sewerage system, and drainage. In a larger sense, infrastructure includes many other human-made structures, including roads, highways, bridges, tunnels, canals, and other things of that nature.

A Brief History of Water in Northwest Philadelphia

Repurposing Old Infrastructure: Water History Video 5

Fairmount Park topographical map, showing East Park Reservoir, 1872

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

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

Pipe Aqueduct across Wissahickon Valley, 1868 (2004.057.0074.004)

Wissahickon Pipe Aqueduct, Roxborough to Mt. Airy, 1868

Wingohocking Sewer across Penn St.

Wingohocking Sewer across Penn St.

Girard Avenue Bridge, Fairmount Park

Girard Avenue Bridge, Fairmount Park, 1895

Queen Lane Reservoir pumping station

Queen Lane Pumping Station, proposed design

A man in glasses listening to the street through stethoscopes (2012.002.0043)

Listening for leaks

Centre Square Water Works, Frederick Graff, Sr. Plans, 1799

men standing around a trench with pipes seen crossing through it. there is a steam engine on wheels behind them to the left, and a building in the background on the right with a sign they says Hotel Abbey, T G Schmidt & Sons, Pilsner & Puritan Beer.

Pipeline being laid in Wissahickon Avenue

Dauphin and Sydenham car crash, Jan. 17, 1978