Topics Nature

A Brief History of Water in Northwest Philadelphia

High Water: An Informal History of Flooding in Philadelphia

Pennypack Park and Creek map, Roland Williams, 2005

Pennypack Park Map

Plans and maps of the Pennypack Creek Watershed in Philadelphia

Mount Moriah Historic Cemetery and Arboretum

The ecology of Center City, Philadelphia (in case you didn’t know there was any)

MEET YOUR ENEMY: THE RAT

Smith’s and Windmill Islands

High Water: Flooding in Philadelphia

Visionary planning report for Philadelphia region, 1928

Image shows multicolored trees and a river cutting through them with two bridges visible

Watersheds: Learning to care for and protect our local water resources

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