Topics City Life

Frankford Creek Watershed Historical Timeline

Northeast Philadelphia history, one page at a time: The Holmesburg Library Scrapbook Collection

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

Black and white photo of a man wearing a hat and standing on a bridge with his arm on a post

Wood truss drawbridge, Orthodox Street over Frankford Creek, 1899 [Detail]

Bridge Street Draw, southeast corner property, June 12, 1896

Bridge Street Draw. Southwest side of bridge. April 19, 1896. [Detail of people].

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

Race Bridge, Fairmount Water Works, 1834

Benezet House Clarke Hall Chestnut St. Bridge

Benezet House, Clarke’s Hall, and Chestnut St. Bridge (Watson’s Annals)

Dock Creek Watson's Annals

Drawbridge and Dock Creek, Watson’s Annals