Postcards of the Past - Philadelphia

Philadelphia
Pennsylvania

I've made several trips to Philly over the past few years as my partner was born there. The city centre has
many historical connections, whilst the museum area and University City are well worth a visit.

"Reading Terminal.
One of Philadelphia's most familiar landmarks. Reading Terminal is located in the
heart of the downtown area, at 12th and Market Sts. Although completed in 1893,
it has been modernized for passenger comfort and convenience. Here an
average of 50,000 passengers a day board and leave trains of the Reading RR
which has executive offices above the station concourse."

"Congress Hall.
Congress Hall was the seat of the Congress of the United States between 1790
and 1800, when Philadelphia was the Nation's Capital. Here Washington took the
oath of office for his second term as President, and John Adams later assumed
the Presidency. "

"Built during the years of 1732 to 1747, Independence
Hall is the most hallowed of American Shrines. It was
here on July 4, 1776 that the Declaration of
Independence was adopted; and here that the
convention which framed the Constitution of the United
States met and completed its work on September 17,
1787. The Articles of Confederation also were signed
in the Hall, which houses the Liberty Bell (no longer !!!)
- symbol of American Liberty.

"Built originally as a home for the Carpenter's (sic) Company of the City and
County of Philadelphia. Carpenter's Hall is famed as the meeting place of the First
Continental Congress, which began in 1774, shortly before arrival of word of the
cannonading of Boston by the British. It was used as a storehouse during the
British occupation of Philadelphia. The First and Second Banks of the United
States later did business within its walls."

"Delaware River Bridge, Philadelphia". I'm trying to work out whether this is the
Benjamin Franklin or the Walt Whitman Bridge - they are both of very similar
construction. However, Anthony from Philly is pretty certain this is the Benjamin
Franklin. Click on the two links which both connect to excellent websites about
the bridges.

The Bellevue Stratford Hotel, at Broad and Walnut -
you can get a great meat-ball sandwich in the
basement food court ! This postcard was mailed in
1946.

The Walton Hotel which I believe was at Broad and
Locust - this postcard dates from 1911.

From the reverse of this postcard:- "Air View showing the Benjamin Franklin Parkway leading straight from the center of the city toward the Art Museum and
Fairmount Park." The card is unused so I can't date it.

"Pennsylvania Suburban Station.
A 20 story Office Building facing Penn Centre Development where 6 lines of the
PRR converge. The first floor and sub-floors of this building are used by the PRR
as their Suburban Station."

The John Wanamaker Building at 13th and Market
Street. The store was taken over by Lord and Taylor
and then, in August 2006, by Macy's.

Chestnut Street "from an airship" - which must have been flying dangerously low !

Girard College.

This building was designed and built by famed
Philadelphia architect Horace Trumbauer in 1914. It
has 20+ floors (Basement, Ground, Lobby, Mezzanine,
Ballroom, 1-18, and RG (top floor, assuming this stands
for Rooftop Garden, is now apartments) and rises 250
ft above the street. It is currently owned by the
Philadelphia Management Company under the name
Adelphia House, and operates as a high rise apartment
building. This info from Dan (on 15) - thanks !

An early postcard of Broad Street Station.

An early postcard of Gimbels.

"At the intersection of 19th and Market Streets in downtown Philadelphia, stands the world's largest food store. Operated by Penn Fruit Company, this magnificent
"Super" occupies two floors. The total store area is well over an acre and nearly 50,000 customers a week pass through its doors."