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in Places & People

Fascinating Historical Photos Of Philadelphia From The Early 20th Century

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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

The Philadelphia Bourse, Fourth and Ranstead streets, 1904

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#2 Watching the first game of the 1914 World Series from rooftops overlooking Shibe Park in Philadelphia, October 9, 1914

Watching the first game of the 1914 World Series from rooftops overlooking Shibe Park in Philadelphia, October 9, 1914

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#3 City Hall, Philadelphia’s soot-stained City Hall, 1910

City Hall, Philadelphia's soot-stained City Hall, 1910

10 Points

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#4 Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, 1900

Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, 1900

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#5 Miss Frances Heisler, pump attendant at one of the Atlantic Refining Company garages in Philadelphia, Philadelphia, June 1943

Miss Frances Heisler, pump attendant at one of the Atlantic Refining Company garages in Philadelphia, Philadelphia, June 1943

9 Points

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#6 Drexel Institute, Philadelphia, 1900

Drexel Institute, Philadelphia, 1900

8 Points

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#7 Dental Hall, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia circa 1904

Dental Hall, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia circa 1904

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#8 South Broad Street from City Hall, Philadelphia circa 1905

South Broad Street from City Hall, Philadelphia circa 1905

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#9 Market Street and City Hall from Eighth, Philadelphia circa 1904

Market Street and City Hall from Eighth, Philadelphia circa 1904

6 Points

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#10 Broad Street Station of the Pennsylvania R.R., Philadelphia circa 1905

Broad Street Station of the Pennsylvania R.R., Philadelphia circa 1905

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#11 Union League Club, Philadelphia, 1905

Union League Club, Philadelphia, 1905

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#12 Hermit Lane Bridge on the Wissahickon, Philadelphia circa 1906

Hermit Lane Bridge on the Wissahickon, Philadelphia circa 1906

5 Points

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#13 The Bellevue-Stratford Hotel, Philadelphia circa 1905

The Bellevue-Stratford Hotel, Philadelphia circa 1905

5 Points

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#14 Independence Hall at Independence Square, Philadelphia, 1910

Independence Hall at Independence Square, Philadelphia, 1910

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#15 First-base grandstand at Shibe Park, Philadelphia, 1913 World Series

First-base grandstand at Shibe Park, Philadelphia, 1913 World Series

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#16 Girard Trust Bldg., Broad and Chestnut streets, Philadelphia circa 1910

Girard Trust Bldg., Broad and Chestnut streets, Philadelphia circa 1910

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#17 Boys High School, Philadelphia, 1904

Boys High School, Philadelphia, 1904

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#18 Gimbel Brothers store, Market and 9th, Philadelphia circa 1905

Gimbel Brothers store, Market and 9th, Philadelphia circa 1905

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#19 Broad Street north from Walnut.” With City Hall, William Penn and two young friends center stage, Philadelphia circa 1909

Broad Street north from Walnut." With City Hall, William Penn and two young friends center stage, Philadelphia circa 1909

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#20 Betsy Ross house, Philadelphia, 1900

Betsy Ross house, Philadelphia, 1900

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#21 Masonic Temple and Arch Street Methodist Church, north from City Hall, North Broad Street, Philadelphia, 1904

Masonic Temple and Arch Street Methodist Church, north from City Hall, North Broad Street, Philadelphia, 1904

3 Points

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#22 Academy of Natural Sciences, Race Street at Logan Square, Philadelphia circa 1906

Academy of Natural Sciences, Race Street at Logan Square, Philadelphia circa 1906

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#23 Miss Frances Heisler (last seen here), attendant at one of the Atlantic Refining Company garages, Philadelphia, June 1943

Miss Frances Heisler (last seen here), attendant at one of the Atlantic Refining Company garages, Philadelphia, June 1943

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#24 Frank Aiken and Atwater Kent at the new Atwater Kent radio factory, Philadelphia, 1925

Frank Aiken and Atwater Kent at the new Atwater Kent radio factory, Philadelphia, 1925

3 Points

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#25 Mermaid Club, Philadelphia.” Members in bathing suits circa 1920.

Mermaid Club, Philadelphia." Members in bathing suits circa 1920.

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#26 Blind children playing hide-and-seek among arcade pillars, at the Overbrook School in Philadelphia, 1912

Blind children playing hide-and-seek among arcade pillars, at the Overbrook School in Philadelphia, 1912

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#27 Philadelphia Quartermaster Corps, May 1942

Philadelphia Quartermaster Corps, May 1942

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#28 Rocky Marciano KO’s Jersey Joe Walcott, is new World Heavyweight Champion, Philadelphia, 1952

Rocky Marciano KO's Jersey Joe Walcott, is new World Heavyweight Champion, Philadelphia, 1952

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#29 City Hall clock tower from South Broad Street, Philadelphia circa 1904

City Hall clock tower from South Broad Street, Philadelphia circa 1904

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#30 Chestnut Street west from 12th, Philadelphia circa 1910

Chestnut Street west from 12th, Philadelphia circa 1910

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#31 Miss Natalie O’Donald, attendant at the Atlantic Refining Company garages, Philadelphia, June 1934

Miss Natalie O'Donald, attendant at the Atlantic Refining Company garages, Philadelphia, June 1934

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#32 Germantown, Wayne Avenue, Philadelphia circa 1908

Germantown, Wayne Avenue, Philadelphia circa 1908

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#33 Women garage attendants at the Atlantic Refining Company, Philadelphia, June 1943

Women garage attendants at the Atlantic Refining Company, Philadelphia, June 1943

2 Points

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#34 Jefferson Medical College and Hospital, 10th Street, Philadelphia, 1909

Jefferson Medical College and Hospital, 10th Street, Philadelphia, 1909

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#35 Land Title Trust Building, Philadelphia, 1905

Land Title Trust Building, Philadelphia, 1905

2 Points

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#36 Valley Green, Fairmount Park, Philadelphia circa 1909

Valley Green, Fairmount Park, Philadelphia circa 1909

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#37 West End Trust Co. building, Philadelphia circa 1909

West End Trust Co. building, Philadelphia circa 1909

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#38 Four Novelty Grahams, acrobatic performers at the Victoria Theatre, Philadelphia, 1910

Four Novelty Grahams, acrobatic performers at the Victoria Theatre, Philadelphia, 1910

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#39 Southwark Plumbing & Heating Supply, Philadelphia, 1949

Southwark Plumbing & Heating Supply, Philadelphia, 1949

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#40 Cars on South Fifth Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Spring 1938

Cars on South Fifth Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Spring 1938

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#41 Reading Railroad tracks with an abandoned brewery in the background, Pennsylvania, Spring 1938

Reading Railroad tracks with an abandoned brewery in the background, Pennsylvania, Spring 1938

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#42 Downtown buildings near Walnut and Broad streets, looking east, Pennsylvania, Spring 1939

Downtown buildings near Walnut and Broad streets, looking east, Pennsylvania, Spring 1939

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#43 Miss Natalie O’Donald, service-station attendant at the Atlantic Refining Company garages, Philadelphia, June 1934

Miss Natalie O'Donald, service-station attendant at the Atlantic Refining Company garages, Philadelphia, June 1934

1 Point

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#44 Miss Ruth Gusick, formerly a clerk in a drugstore, Philadelphia, June 1934

Miss Ruth Gusick, formerly a clerk in a drugstore, Philadelphia, June 1934

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#45 Barber shop at 19th and Bainbridge Streets, Philadelphia, Spring 1937

Barber shop at 19th and Bainbridge Streets, Philadelphia, Spring 1937

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#46 Market Street west from Eleventh, with view of City Hall, Philadelphia circa 1912

Market Street west from Eleventh, with view of City Hall, Philadelphia circa 1912

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#47 Chestnut Farms Sanitary Dairy, Philadelphia, 1925

Chestnut Farms Sanitary Dairy, Philadelphia, 1925

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#48 Broad Street, Masonic Temple and Arch Street Methodist Church, north from City Hall, Philadelphia circa 1904

Broad Street, Masonic Temple and Arch Street Methodist Church, north from City Hall, Philadelphia circa 1904

1 Point

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#49 The Philadelphia Bourse, Fourth and Ranstead street, 1904

The Philadelphia Bourse, Fourth and Ranstead street, 1904

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#50 League Island Navy Yard, Philadelphia. U.S.S. Brooklyn spar deck, 1898

League Island Navy Yard, Philadelphia. U.S.S. Brooklyn spar deck, 1898

1 Point

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#51 Broad Street north from Locust with view of City Hall, Philadelphia circa 1907

Broad Street north from Locust with view of City Hall, Philadelphia circa 1907

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#52 Elevated railway terminal, 70th and Market streets, Philadelphia, 1906

Elevated railway terminal, 70th and Market streets, Philadelphia, 1906

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#53 The Gate at Cramp’s dry dock, Philadelphia, 1900

The Gate at Cramp's dry dock, Philadelphia, 1900

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#54 S.S. Morro Castle, Cramps Shipyards, Philadelphia circa 1901

S.S. Morro Castle, Cramps Shipyards, Philadelphia circa 1901

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#55 Betz Building, Broad and South Penn Square, Philadelphia, 1900

Betz Building, Broad and South Penn Square, Philadelphia, 1900

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#56 Hotel Walton, Broad Street, Philadelphia circa 1908

Hotel Walton, Broad Street, Philadelphia circa 1908

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#57 Chestnut Street and post office, Philadelphia circa 1904

Chestnut Street and post office, Philadelphia circa 1904

1 Point

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#58 Pennsylvania R.R. ferry terminal, Market Street, Philadelphia circa 1908

Pennsylvania R.R. ferry terminal, Market Street, Philadelphia circa 1908

1 Point

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#59 Girard Trust Company, Philadelphia circa 1909

Girard Trust Company, Philadelphia circa 1909

1 Point

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#60 Baldwin Locomotive Works, Philadelphia circa 1908

Baldwin Locomotive Works, Philadelphia circa 1908

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#61 Entrance to Keith’s Theatre, Philadelphia, 1907

Entrance to Keith's Theatre, Philadelphia, 1907

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#62 The North American and Real Estate Trust buildings, Philadelphia circa 1904

The North American and Real Estate Trust buildings, Philadelphia circa 1904

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#63 Dormitories, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia circa 1908

Dormitories, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia circa 1908

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#64 The Bellevue-Stratford Hotel, Philadelphia circa 1910

The Bellevue-Stratford Hotel, Philadelphia circa 1910

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#65 Delaware Avenue, foot of Market Street, Philadelphia circa 1908

Delaware Avenue, foot of Market Street, Philadelphia circa 1908

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#66 The Elevated station at 36th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, circa 1908

The Elevated station at 36th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, circa 1908

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#67 Pennsylvania Railroad ferry terminal, Market Street, 1905

Pennsylvania Railroad ferry terminal, Market Street, 1905

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#68 Dock Street, Philadelphia, circa 1908

Dock Street, Philadelphia, circa 1908

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#69 Philadelphia Athletics dugout prior to start of Game 1 of 1914 World Series at Shibe Park, October 9, 1914

Philadelphia Athletics dugout prior to start of Game 1 of 1914 World Series at Shibe Park, October 9, 1914

1 Point

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#70 Miss Natalie O’Donald, service station attendant, Philadelphia, June 1934

Miss Natalie O'Donald, service station attendant, Philadelphia, June 1934

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#71 City Hall and Market Street west from 11th, Philadelphia, 1912

City Hall and Market Street west from 11th, Philadelphia, 1912

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#72 Elevated railway terminal, 70th and Market streets, Philadelphia, 1906

Elevated railway terminal, 70th and Market streets, Philadelphia, 1906

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#73 Miss Frances Heisler, a garage attendant at one of the Atlantic Refining Company garages, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, June 1943

Miss Frances Heisler, a garage attendant at one of the Atlantic Refining Company garages, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, June 1943

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#74 Window of a medical supply house near Market and Twenty-Third Street, , Philadelphia, 1938

Window of a medical supply house near Market and Twenty-Third Street, , Philadelphia, 1938

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#75 Betsy Ross House, Philadelphia, 1900

Betsy Ross House, Philadelphia, 1900

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#76 Ships at League Island Navy Yard, Philadelphia circa 1908

Ships at League Island Navy Yard, Philadelphia circa 1908

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#77 Market St. west from 12th, Philadelphia City Hall, 1910

Market St. west from 12th, Philadelphia City Hall, 1910

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#78 North American, Real Estate Trust, City Hall and Land Title Building, Philadelphia circa 1905

North American, Real Estate Trust, City Hall and Land Title Building, Philadelphia circa 1905

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#79 Market Street from Eighth, City Hall’s clock tower at the end of the street, Philadelphia circa 1904

Market Street from Eighth, City Hall's clock tower at the end of the street, Philadelphia circa 1904

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#80 Atwater Kent Factory for T.R. Shipp, Philadelphia circa 1928

Atwater Kent Factory for T.R. Shipp, Philadelphia circa 1928

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#81 Chestnut Street from Ninth, Philadelphia circa 1900

Chestnut Street from Ninth, Philadelphia circa 1900

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#82 Russian warship Retvizan, day before launching, Cramp’s shipyards, Philadelphia, 1900

Russian warship Retvizan, day before launching, Cramp's shipyards, Philadelphia, 1900

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#83 City Hall, Broad Street north from Locust, Philadelphia 1907

City Hall, Broad Street north from Locust, Philadelphia 1907

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#84 Assembling room, Atwater Kent radio factory, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, circa 1928

Assembling room, Atwater Kent radio factory, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, circa 1928

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#85 Broad Street Station of the Pennsylvania R.R., 1900

Broad Street Station of the Pennsylvania R.R., 1900

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#86 Hotel Flanders, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, circa 1905

Hotel Flanders, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, circa 1905

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#87 The elevated railway at Delaware & South Streets, Philadelphia circa 1905

The elevated railway at Delaware & South Streets, Philadelphia circa 1905

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#88 Atwater Kent radio factory, Philadelphia 1929

Atwater Kent radio factory, Philadelphia 1929

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#89 Pennsylvania Railroad ferry terminal, Market Street, 1905

Pennsylvania Railroad ferry terminal, Market Street, 1905

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#90 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia circa 1906

Chestnut Street, Philadelphia circa 1906

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#91 Atwater Kent radio factory, Philadelphia, 1925

Atwater Kent radio factory, Philadelphia, 1925

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#92 The Atwater Kent factory, which made radios and auto ignition parts, Philadelphia circa 1928

The Atwater Kent factory, which made radios and auto ignition parts, Philadelphia circa 1928

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#93 Philadelphia Post Office, circa 1900

Philadelphia Post Office, circa 1900

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#94 Atwater Kent radio factory in Philadelphia, 1925

Atwater Kent radio factory in Philadelphia, 1925

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#95 Another happy worker at the giant Atwater Kent radio factory in Philadelphia circa 1925

Another happy worker at the giant Atwater Kent radio factory in Philadelphia circa 1925

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#96 Winding transformer coils at the Atwater Kent radio factory in Philadelphia, 1925

Winding transformer coils at the Atwater Kent radio factory in Philadelphia, 1925

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#97 Starting assembly of set (Mary Ramsey), A worker at the Atwater Kent radio factory in Philadelphia, 1925

Starting assembly of set (Mary Ramsey), A worker at the Atwater Kent radio factory in Philadelphia, 1925

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#98 Market Street at Eighth in Philadelphia circa 1905

Market Street at Eighth in Philadelphia circa 1905

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#99 Broad Street north from Spruce, Philadelphia circa 1905

Broad Street north from Spruce, Philadelphia circa 1905

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#100 Production workers at the huge Atwater Kent radio factory in Philadelphia, 1928

Production workers at the huge Atwater Kent radio factory in Philadelphia, 1928

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#101 Atwater Kent at test table.” Namesake of the Atwater Kent radio empire at his Philadelphia factory, 1925

Atwater Kent at test table." Namesake of the Atwater Kent radio empire at his Philadelphia factory, 1925

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#102 The Atwater Kent radio factory in Philadelphia in 1928

The Atwater Kent radio factory in Philadelphia in 1928

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#103 Condenser assembling department, Philadelphia, 1925

Condenser assembling department, Philadelphia, 1925

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#104 Stamping loudspeaker bells at the Atwater Kent radio factory, Philadelphia, 1925

Stamping loudspeaker bells at the Atwater Kent radio factory, Philadelphia, 1925

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#105 The Atwater Kent radio factory in Philadelphia circa 1925.

The Atwater Kent radio factory in Philadelphia circa 1925.

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#106 Radio set assembling room, 1925

Radio set assembling room, 1925

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#107 Atwater Kent radio factory, Philadelphia, 1925

Atwater Kent radio factory, Philadelphia, 1925

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#108 Speaker grille assembly at the Atwater Kent radio factory in Philadelphia, 1928

Speaker grille assembly at the Atwater Kent radio factory in Philadelphia, 1928

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#109 Boston rooters at Shibe Park, Philadelphia, 1914

Boston rooters at Shibe Park, Philadelphia, 1914

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Written by Aung Budhh

Husband + Father + librarian + Poet + Traveler + Proud Buddhist. I love you with the breath, the smiles and the tears of all my life.

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nosino says:

December 31, 2020 at 10:11 Copy Link of a Comment

Man I love old photos. I wish I could be a time tourist.

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Philip Conner says:

February 3, 2022 at 13:10 Copy Link of a Comment

It’s sad to lose some magnificent buildings.

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- Desmond Earl says:
  
  February 3, 2022 at 13:10 Copy Link of a Comment
  
  There must have been something special about Broad St. station
  
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  - Edward Gus says:
    
    February 3, 2022 at 13:12 Copy Link of a Comment
    
    This was a double-edged sword. The railroad, the city, and the people all hated it in one way or another. There was no way to turn around since it was a stub-end station. All trains had to back in or back out. A tunnel through the 18th connected the viaduct from 30th (known colloquially as the Chinese Wall) to the platforms on the 30th, which is why the area north of Market remained underdeveloped until the late 20th century. Smog from the steam locomotives also polluted the skyscrapers surrounding the station. It was, however, a sight to behold.
    
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- Louis Max says:
  
  February 3, 2022 at 13:15 Copy Link of a Comment
  
  Seriously, I don’t understand why they didn’t just convert it into an office building. The architecture is beautiful, especially compared to the bland office buildings.
  
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  - Edward Gus says:
    
    February 3, 2022 at 13:16 Copy Link of a Comment
    
    Probably because it burned down.
    
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    - Norman Oliver says:
      
      February 3, 2022 at 13:17 Copy Link of a Comment
      
      The building didn’t burn down. The train shed caught fire twice but was replaced both times.
      
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      - Edward Gus says:
        
        February 3, 2022 at 13:20 Copy Link of a Comment
        
        Oh, that’s interesting, thanks. There always seemed to
        
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Cliff Miller says:

February 3, 2022 at 13:21 Copy Link of a Comment

be the impression that the whole thing went up, and that’s why they razed it. Guess I need to learn more about it!

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Hairy Poppins says:

February 3, 2022 at 13:23 Copy Link of a Comment

I loved the Betz Building and the Furness design on South Broad (across from the Kimmel). It’s a shame both were torn down.

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Bad Karma says:

February 3, 2022 at 13:24 Copy Link of a Comment

There appears to be a “gas bladder” filled up in the background of one of the shots. Previously I learned about these old metal frames on this sub, and now I get to see one in action. Interesting.

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