Philly Historical Gems

[bethakneeflower]

The North Philadelphia Office of the Western Saving Fund Society was built in 1925 and is located at Germantown Ave. & W. Venango St. This modern classicism building was designed by the Philadelphia firm, Willing, Sims & Talbutt, and was built with Indiana limestone, bronze ornament, brick, steel, and reinforced concrete. This classic beauty features ornamental ironwork produced by the Philadelphia workshop of Samuel Yellin. They don’t make them like this anymore 😍 . . 6th 📷: Archive from Philadelphia Inquirer from 1925 . 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th 📷: Architectural Record from 1927 . #philly #phillyphilly #philadelphia #northphilly #northphillylove #whyilovephilly #architecture #phillyarchitecture #philadelphiaarchitecture #historicpreservation #historicbuildings #historicphilly #phillyhistoricalgems https://www.instagram.com/p/B7V1hJpj01B/?igshid=170zymwgdauex

[bethakneeflower]

Market Street, west from 12th St. in 1907. I love the old store fronts and cars. . . 📷: @freelibrary . #philly #phillyphilly #philadelphia #centercityphilly #centercityphiladelphia #historicalphilly #historicphilly #marketstreet #historyinpictures #blackandwhitephotography #1900s #oldphiladelphia #oldphotos #freelibrary #phillygems #phillyhistoricalgems https://www.instagram.com/p/B7TGzpsDh4X/?igshid=ixkd01e5wnps

[bethakneeflower]

12th & Market in 1911. . . 📷: City of Philadelphia . . #philly #phillyphilly #philadelphia #pennsylvania #centercityphilly #marketstreet #historicphilly #oldphotos #phillyphotography #historyinpictures #phillyhistory #phillyhistoricalgems https://www.instagram.com/p/B7QjbKijyA7/?igshid=q3uhgly55l1e

[bethakneeflower]

Students outside of South Philadelphia High School in 1934. . . 📷: City of Philadelphia . . #philly #phillyphilly #southphilly #southphillyhighschool #historicphilly #historyinpictures #vintagephotography #1930s #phillyhistoricgems #phillylove #whyilovephilly #phillyschools https://www.instagram.com/p/B7OOoPvj0Nl/?igshid=3hkvl42xfj8b

[bethakneeflower]

Germantown High School today and in January of 1916. Unfortunately, Germantown High School closed in 2013. It remains vacant, but there has been proposed development throughout the years. . . Bottom 📷: @librarycompany . #Philly #phillyphilly #philadelphia #germantown #germantownave #architecture #phillyarchitecture #historicpreservation #whyilovephilly #phillylove #phillyhistoricalgems #vintagephotography #phillyunknown (at Germantown, Philadelphia) https://www.instagram.com/p/B7J9y2FDcIy/?igshid=1flzx0lpxnh0x

[bethakneeflower]

“The Joys of Winter on the Wissahickon Drive” from 1908. . . 📷: @librarycompany . . #philly #phillyphilly #philadelphia #pennsylvania #wissahickoncreek #historicphilly #historicalphilly #vintagephotos #phillyhistoricalgems https://www.instagram.com/p/B7CRxlOjm_c/?igshid=abnandjla13k

[bethakneeflower]

“In years before the Civil War, there was a route that slaves could take to freedom. It came to be called the “Underground Railroad,” a network of safe houses or “stations” operated by “stationmasters,” “conductors,” and “agents,” dedicated individuals who believed deeply that slavery was wrong and who risked their lives and property to deliver people of African descent from bondage. Philadelphia was a vital junction on the UGRR. Philadelphians, men and women, young and old of all races, religions and walks of life kept the freedom trails rolling. This mural commemorates the work of those brave Philadelphians and the courageous slaves, the “passengers.” This murals celebrates their achievements on behalf of the cause of brotherhood and freedom.” . . “The Underground Railroad in Philadelphia was led by free blacks with help from white Quakers. Look east to the Fairhill Burial Ground where many who worked against slavery and equal rights are buried. Black businessman Robert Purvis and his wife Harriet were close friends and allies of Lucretia and James Mott, white Quakers. Purvis’s Vigilant Society helped thousands of fugitives escape through Philadelphia to freedom.” @muralarts . . #philly #phillyphilly #blackhistory #undergroundrailroad #philadelphia #philadelphiahistory #africanamericanhistory #historicphilly #phillyart #muralsofphilly #whyilovephilly #phillyunknown #historynerd #phillyhistoricalgems https://www.instagram.com/p/B68uLZEjMy4/?igshid=332gp196kgyy

[bethakneeflower]

City Hall

[bethakneeflower]

Shattered stained glass, but a sturdy structure nonetheless. St. Edward the Confessor Church was listed as “Top Ten Significant, Vulnerable Churches” in 2013 by @hiddencityphila The old church awaits its fate, adorning “KEEP OUT” signs on the front doors. Will it get the wrecking ball or will it transform into something new while the integrity of the structure is maintained? (Part 1) . . #philly #philadelphia #historicphilly #northphilly #historicpreservation #historicpreservationmatters #thisjawnmatters #phillyunknown #phillyarchitecture #architecture #historicalphilly #phillyhistoricalgems https://www.instagram.com/p/B6tlu5HDPZI/?igshid=1dgd6vu3axlsx

[bethakneeflower]

The 8400 block on Germantown Avenue in Chestnut Hill in 1961 and the summer of 2019. . Top 📷: City of Philadelphia . . #philly #philadelphia #chestnuthillpa #historicphilly #ilovephilly #historynerd #northwestphilly #visitphilly #phillyhistoricalgems (at Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia) https://www.instagram.com/p/B6qrF9njK0w/?igshid=vh42mjlx4plf

[bethakneeflower]

A tribute to Octavius Valentine Catto outside of City Hall. . . #philly #philadelphia #phillyhistory #blackhistory #blackphillyhistory #historynerd #ilovehistory #historicphilly #visitphilly #ilovephilly #whyilovephilly #phillyhistoricalgems (at Philadelphia City Hall) https://www.instagram.com/p/B6opA9yDGiX/?igshid=4ontx0sm8fxm

[bethakneeflower]

In 1915, looking south on Broad from Erie Ave. It’s crazy to see an unpaved Broad St. The landscape looks so different today. . . 📸: City of Philadelphia . . #philly #philadelphia #northphilly #broadstreet #historicphilly #vintagephotography #vintagephotos #phillyunknown #ilovehistory #historynerd #phillyhistoricalgems https://www.instagram.com/p/B6jc4YMjE9L/?igshid=umkzo3dx6wqz

[bethakneeflower]

Happy Winter Solstice and enjoy the longest night of the year. . . Church of Holy Trinity on 19th & Walnut at sunset during winter in 1923. . . 📸: @librarycompany . . #philly #phillyphilly #historicalphilly #historicphilly #vintagephotography #centercityphilly #phillyhistoricalgems (at The Church of the Holy Trinity, Rittenhouse Square) https://www.instagram.com/p/B6Wu1KxDqbt/?igshid=e5dulgiajje9

[bethakneeflower]

The ole Rieger & Gretz Brewing Company building patiently waiting for its second chance at life. . . Last 📸: @presalliancephl . Check out http://www.preservationalliance.com/files/nomination_Gretz.pdf . . #philly #phillyphilly #northphilly #historicalphilly #historicphilly #historicpreservation #phillyarchitecture #brewery #ilovephilly #historicbuildings https://www.instagram.com/p/B6UJ79UjNxP/?igshid=117t02du1a6sw

[bethakneeflower]

The famous jazz singer, Billie Holiday, after performing for servicemen at the U.S.O at South Broad Street in 1943. I’m sure she captivated the crowd when she sang ❤️ . . 📸: Temple Archives . . #philly #philadelphia #southbroadstreet #jazz #vintagepictures #ilovephilly #historynerd #historicphilly #phillyhistoricalgems https://www.instagram.com/p/B6LBXRHjz7N/?igshid=1eh5p8xozn6bo

[bethakneeflower]

Keeping my theme in North Philly. Germantown & Erie in 1919. . . 📸: @cityofphiladelphia . . #philly #philadelphia #germantownavenue #historicphilly #historicalphotos #northphilly #historynerd #ilovephilly #phillyhistory #phillyhistoricalgems https://www.instagram.com/p/B6HRRpZjtPJ/?igshid=117zfi8xz6hmc

[bethakneeflower]

Can you tell I’ve been a bit obsessed with North Philly lately? 😍 Broad & Germantown. Lots of beauty here that goes unnoticed. . . #philly #philadelphia #historicphilly #phillyarchitecture #visitphilly #northphilly #broadstreet #hiddengems #lookuparchitecture #historicpreservation #architecture #phillyhistory #phillyhistoricalgems https://www.instagram.com/p/B5_oMcVj-JF/?igshid=9llrsseivdjv