Topics Landscape Changes

Sewers, Pollution, and Public Health in 19th Century Philadelphia

Smith’s and Windmill Islands

The Worry of the Wires

Visions of the Schuylkill, 1884 and Now

Oak Lane Reservoir pipeline, 1904

The Water and Drainage History of Philadelphia: A seven-part course

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 reproduction of the title page of an old periodical

Images from “A Day in the Ma’sh” by Maurice F. Egan, Scribner’s Monthly, July 1881

Travel through the Philadelphia of a century ago, with a severely erudite guide

View of Fairmount Water Works, ca. 1827

Penn's Treaty with the Lenape

Penn’s Treaty with the Indians (Watson’s Annals)

Penn landing at Chester

Penn landing at Chester (Watson’s Annals)

Pegg's Run

Pegg’s Run, Northern Liberties (Watson’s Annals)