Topics Infrastructure

Twenty-fourth Ward (or West Philadelphia) Works, 1855

The Centre Square Works, 1801

State of the Schuylkill River in 1876: Sewage pollution and possible remedies

Fairmount Water Works, by W. H. Bartlett, 1839. This engraving from an 1839 painting by William Bartlett shows the porch added to the Engine House about 1835 and the two gazebos built at the same time, all added to welcome visitors to the Water Works and a new saloon, or restaurant, in the Engine House. The powerful jet of water rising from the fountain in the South Garden, fed by a dedicated pipe under the full pressure of the reservoir, was depicted against the green foliage on the west slope of Faire Mount, near the east end of the Colossus. A barge is making its way downstream through the canal, headed under the Colossus to the busy port city of Philadelphia.

Fairmount Water Works, W.H. Bartlett, 1839

Bird's eye color view of reservoirs, green areas of foliage, pink roads and blue water, with a dam prominent

Fairmount and vicinity, 1839

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

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

Outhouse over Schuylkill near Pottstown

Outhouse over the Schuylkill near Pottstown

Northern Liberties and Spring Garden Water Works

Northern Liberties and Spring Garden Water Works

DeLaval Beauty Shots 6

Electric Pump Installations at Lardner’s Point Pumping Station

Fairmount

Fairmount Water Works, about 1860

Showing method of sinking the pipe on the bed of the River (2004.057.0074.006)

Showing the method of sinking the pipe on the bed of the river