Philadelphia is the largest and historic city in Pennsylvania state. After the American Civil War, a large number of European and African American immigrants arrived in the town. In the late 19th Century, Philadelphia became a major industrial center and railroad hub. Major industries were the Baldwin Locomotive Works, William Cramp & Sons Ship and Engine Building Company, and the Pennsylvania Railroad. At the beginning of the 20th Century, Philadelphia had taken on a poor reputation as “Corrupt but content.” The political corruption was at its peak, and one official estimated that US$5 million was wasted each year from graft in the city’s infrastructure programs. Philadelphia began to modernize; several new fractures, including the City Hall, Roosevelt Boulevard, Benjamin Franklin Bridge and skyscrapers were built. In 1907, the city’s first subway was constructed.
Here below are some historical photographs of Philadelphia from the early 20th Century that show street scenes, cityscapes, and everyday life. Vote your favorites, and don’t forget to share.
#1 The Philadelphia Bourse, Fourth and Ranstead streets, 1904
#2 Watching the first game of the 1914 World Series from rooftops overlooking Shibe Park in Philadelphia, October 9, 1914
#3 City Hall, Philadelphia’s soot-stained City Hall, 1910
#4 Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, 1900
#5 Miss Frances Heisler, pump attendant at one of the Atlantic Refining Company garages in Philadelphia, Philadelphia, June 1943
#6 Drexel Institute, Philadelphia, 1900
#7 Dental Hall, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia circa 1904
#8 South Broad Street from City Hall, Philadelphia circa 1905
#9 Market Street and City Hall from Eighth, Philadelphia circa 1904
#10 Broad Street Station of the Pennsylvania R.R., Philadelphia circa 1905
#11 Union League Club, Philadelphia, 1905
#12 Hermit Lane Bridge on the Wissahickon, Philadelphia circa 1906
#13 The Bellevue-Stratford Hotel, Philadelphia circa 1905
#14 Independence Hall at Independence Square, Philadelphia, 1910
#15 First-base grandstand at Shibe Park, Philadelphia, 1913 World Series
#16 Girard Trust Bldg., Broad and Chestnut streets, Philadelphia circa 1910
#17 Boys High School, Philadelphia, 1904
#18 Gimbel Brothers store, Market and 9th, Philadelphia circa 1905
#19 Broad Street north from Walnut.” With City Hall, William Penn and two young friends center stage, Philadelphia circa 1909
#20 Betsy Ross house, Philadelphia, 1900
#21 Masonic Temple and Arch Street Methodist Church, north from City Hall, North Broad Street, Philadelphia, 1904
#22 Academy of Natural Sciences, Race Street at Logan Square, Philadelphia circa 1906
#23 Miss Frances Heisler (last seen here), attendant at one of the Atlantic Refining Company garages, Philadelphia, June 1943
#24 Frank Aiken and Atwater Kent at the new Atwater Kent radio factory, Philadelphia, 1925
#25 Mermaid Club, Philadelphia.” Members in bathing suits circa 1920.
#26 Blind children playing hide-and-seek among arcade pillars, at the Overbrook School in Philadelphia, 1912
#27 Philadelphia Quartermaster Corps, May 1942
#28 Rocky Marciano KO’s Jersey Joe Walcott, is new World Heavyweight Champion, Philadelphia, 1952
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Marciano was way behind on the scorecards.
He needed a knockout to win. The
knockout punch also broke “ Jersey Joe’s jaw!
