THE TWENTY-FOURTH MEETING OF THE PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION June 24, 1958 Present were: Mr. Harry A. Batten, Mr. R. Norris Williams, II Mr. Charles E. Peterson Mr. William Gannetti, Commissioner of Public Property Mr. Grant M. Simon, Chairman Also present were: Mr. G. Preston Andrade, Architect Mr. John Gane (both of Wright, Andrade & Amenta) Mr. James D. Murphy, Planning Director, Old Philadelphia Corp. Mr. William Bohan, Assistant Historian Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian Mrs. Charles J. Maurer, Executive Secretary The Minutes of the previous meeting, May 27, 1958, were approved. The Meeting was called to order at 3:30 by Mr. Batten, the Chairman being detained. THE HEAD HOUSE, SECOND STREET MARKET Mr. Batten reviewed his conversation regarding occupancy of the Head House by the Insurance Company of North America. Since the insurance company is not ready to make a decision, Mr. Batten recommended that the Commission try to find another tenant for the Head House. Mr. Murphy said that the Redevelopment Authority would like to take a lease on the building, using it as a field office while the Dock Street area is being redeveloped. Mr. Batten offered to get in touch with Mr. Lemmeu to learn what his agency has in mind. Mr. Peterson reported that he had heard that the Landmark Society is ready to negotiate with the City for a lease on the building. Mr. Batten said he would also speak to Mr. Frederick Levis, president of the Society for the Preservation of Landmarks and report at the next meeting. PLAQUES FOR HISTORIC BUILDINGS The design of the plaque, its price ($10.00) the cost of the die ($250) and the conditions under which it will be sold to owners of certified houses, have been agreed upon by the Commission at previous meetings. The legality of selling those plaques to householders has to be explored and arrangements made to handle the mechanics of the sales. Mr. Gannetti agreed to look into the business end of supplying the public upon demand. KIRKBRIDE'S No progress has been made regarding the Commission's proposal that the City make Kirkbride's a repository for the City Archives. Mr. Gannetti offered to speak to Commissioner Baker about this and Mr. Batten will talk to Mr. Wagner, Managing Director. -2- PENNSYLVANIA HOSPITAL NURSES' HOME The Hospital's latest plan requires the demolition of the whole block of houses on the south side of Spruce Street (700
for the City Archives. Mr. Gannetti offered to speak to Commissioner Baker about this and Mr. Batten will talk to Mr. Wagner, Managing Director. -2- PENNSYLVANIA HOSPITAL NURSES' HOME The Hospital's latest plan requires the demolition of the whole block of houses on the south side of Spruce Street (700 to 730). This area will be surrounded with a wall like that of St. Peter's and the Nurses' Home built in the middle. Plans will be presented to the Commission within thirty days. The officers of the Hospital have agreed to salvage everything possible. The cost of storage for this material, which is valued at a minimum of $30,000, is very high. Mr. Gemmill offered to try to find storage space for it in one of the City's vacant buildings. Mr. Simon stressed the point that at least two of the rooms were worth placing in a museum. OLD PHILADELPHIA REDEVELOPMENT CORPORATION Mr. James D. Murphy, Planning Director of the Old Philadelphia Redevelopment Corp. introduced Mr. Preston Andrade of Wright, Andrade and Aments, who explained to the Commission the Redevelopment Authority's proposals for Washington Square East (Unit #1). The Commission was concerned chiefly by the proposal to place an eighteen story apartment house between Third and Fourth Streets immediately south of Willing's Alley; and by the free hand the developer will be given with all of the houses now standing along Third and Fourth Streets from Willing's Alley to Spruce, including a large number of houses which the Commission has certified as being historically significant. After an extended discussion of the whole problem, it was agreed that the Commission go on record as follows: "The Philadelphia Historical Commission, at its meeting on June 24, 1958 unanimously and without qualification reaffirmed its belief that the historic area extending from Second to Fifth and from Pine to a point about two hundred feet south of Walnut Street, should be restricted to residential uses, and that the height of buildings should not exceed sixty-five feet at any point within this district. It was the Commission's considered opinion that the admission of high-rise buildings in this area will result in a development of little distinction and of little historic value. The Commission is not opposed to the construction of high-rise buildings on the perimeter of the area, however, and recommends that the eighteen-story apartment house, which has been proposed for the plot south of
in this area will result in a development of little distinction and of little historic value. The Commission is not opposed to the construction of high-rise buildings on the perimeter of the area, however, and recommends that the eighteen-story apartment house, which has been proposed for the plot south of St. Joseph's, Willing's Alley and west of St. Paul's, be removed from that position to a more suitable one west of Fifth Street. This will preserve the integrity of a district of major historical importance to the nation, a distinguished supplement to the Independence National Historic Park." A copy of this Official Minute will be sent to Dean G. Holmes Perkins, Chairman of the City Planning Commission and to Mr. Andrade, for transmittal to the Redevelopment Authority. REORGANIZATION OF THE CERTIFIED BUILDINGS LIST All the lists of certified buildings have been combined into one list, arranged geographically, and this is now ready for the printer. Mrs. Tinkcom requested permission to add the Clinton Street houses to the list. This addition was approved. -3- SOUTHWARK The list of Southwark buildings, circulated among the Commission members, was approved for certification. Incidentally to the certification of the Southwark houses, photographs of similar small houses on Fawn, Jessup, Panama, Iseminger and Cammac Streets, which have been rehabilitated by their owners, were exhibited to show what can be done with this kind of house. BENJAMIN RUSH HOUSE At Red Lion and Academy Roads in Byberry. The property will be sold to a redeveloper unless it can be acquired for preservation as a public park. Judge Saylor requested that the Commission put the house on its certified list to assist him in his efforts to secure necessary funds to purchase the property. This was done. CANNON BALL FARM Mr. Gennetti proposed that a letter be written to Mr. Baxter, asking whether the house might not be assigned to the Department of Public Property, if the Water Department cannot restore Cannon Ball Farm. Permission was requested to purchase an additional chair for the Commission's office. This was granted. The need for a deputy chairman was discussed in view of the absence of Mr. Simon during July and August. Mr. Batten was appointed; Mr. Gennetti will approve the bills. Mrs. Tinkcom outlined her plans for the student historians summer work as follows: The field surveys of the area between Market and Vine, Delaware Avenue and Eighth Street, and
view of the absence of Mr. Simon during July and August. Mr. Batten was appointed; Mr. Gennetti will approve the bills. Mrs. Tinkcom outlined her plans for the student historians summer work as follows: The field surveys of the area between Market and Vine, Delaware Avenue and Eighth Street, and of Fishtown will be completed by the Assistant Historian and reports prepared for presentation to the Commission in the Fall. Research will continue into the history of Society Hill and Southwark. Brief of title are being prepared for all of the certified houses on Spruce, Pine and DeLancey Streets. The records of the Contributionship and of the Mutual Assurance Company are being combed for surveys of certified houses in both areas, and tax records, newspaper advertisements &c. are being examined to discover what is known about the houses in these areas. The historical material for the ten houses to be recorded with the HABS has been prepared. The Commission is waiting for photographs to be taken by the National Park Service, so that the forms may be completed. Work sheets for about one hundred houses, chiefly in Germantown and Southwark, have been filled out. This work will be continued as opportunity offers during the year. SUBMISSIONS Mr. Robert Trump's house which he proposes to build on an empty lot on South Philip Street. The executive secretary was directed to write to Mr. Trump thanking him for his courtesy in showing the Commission his plans. -4- FORT MIFFLIN Mr. Louis Inwood, Director of Aeronautics, will undertake the complete restoration of the Fort if it can be added to the Airport property. Mr. Batten agreed to talk to Mr. Donald C. Wagner, Managing Director about this. SCHUYLKILL ARSENAL The Commission's photographs are to be made available to Mr. Peterson CITY OWNED BUILDINGS The Historian reported that Mrs. Kirkbride will eventually report on these; it is possible that some interesting later 19th Century buildings will be found but, in all probability, all of the early structures owned by the City have already been certified by the Commission. A list of City-owned buildings which the Commission considered historically significant, with the name of the department administering them, was prepared last summer and forwarded as requested to Mr. Gennetti. It was moved and seconded that there be no further meetings until September unless called by the Chair in an emergency. The Meeting was adjourned at
the Commission considered historically significant, with the name of the department administering them, was prepared last summer and forwarded as requested to Mr. Gennetti. It was moved and seconded that there be no further meetings until September unless called by the Chair in an emergency. The Meeting was adjourned at 5:30 P. M. Respectfully submitted Charles E. Peterson, Secretary SUBMISSIONS FOR FIRST SIX MONTHS OF 1958 February 4 110 Elfreth's Alley. Mr. - - Nash, Owner Minor change, position of bath and powder rooms 25 108 Elfreth's Alley. Mr. Hilborn Harbridge, owner Complete restoration, inside and out, replacing demolished backbuilding; replacing penteave, using the Broguard Okie design used in Betsy Ross house (this later approval given June 16 and July 24) March 25 236 DeLancey. Mr. Arnold Nicholson, owner Installing a bathroom. 25 708 Pine Street. Mr. - - Matthews, owner Three apartments. No exterior work to be done 25 210 Spruce Street. Mr. Frank P. Graham, owner Interior and exterior restoration to be complete. Door removed, on Spruce Street, window substituted Removal of fire escape. April 3 317 Spruce Street. Dr. - - Scheiden, owner Install cabinet type air conditioner in side window. 16 217 DeLancey Street. Robert T. Trump, owner New roof, interior partitions, masonry wall in rear, Restoration of entire house, including front steps, cellar way and penteave. Henderson, architect May 16 308 DeLancey Street. Mr. - - Kas, owner. 19 Cornice replaced, small-paned windows, new door, same design as 306, which still in its original state. Flint bricks, &c. Morris, carpenter & building Ralph Ottaviano "expediter". (Several visits to the office, 4.5.68, 4.28, 5.12, 5.19) 19 220, 222 Spruce. Mr. Charles Lewis, owner Substitute a window for door, 222; double hung windows, 9/9; penteave and westernmost back buildings to be demolished. other changes interiorly to make the two buildings into one dwelling. 20 139 Elfreth's alley. Rep Mrs. F. F. Fletcher, owner Repairs to first floor joists and rear of building. (original penteave is in backyard, waiting to be attached) June 9 234 DeLancey Street. Mr. Leo Riordan, owner. No exterior changes, other than sandblasting brick and repointing, also replacing doors and shutters, original design. Many interior alterations. Edwin L. Fugate, 3d, architect 329 Hansberry street, Phila. 44 SUBMISSIONS FIRST SIX MONTHS OF 1958, continued June 20 319 S. Philip. Mr. Robert T. Trump, owner A new two story house to be built on a vacant
and repointing, also replacing doors and shutters, original design. Many interior alterations. Edwin L. Fugate, 3d, architect 329 Hansberry street, Phila. 44 SUBMISSIONS FIRST SIX MONTHS OF 1958, continued June 20 319 S. Philip. Mr. Robert T. Trump, owner A new two story house to be built on a vacant lot. Courtesy submission only 26 722, 724, 726, 728, 730 Spruce Street. Pennsylvania Hospital, owner Houses to be demolished to make way for a new nurses' home. Design to be submitted to the Commission for its Approval. SOUTHWARK HOUSES RECOMMENDED FOR CERTIFICATION SOUTH WATER STREET West side 508 (part of lot 509 South Front) 516 518 520 522 524 526 532 Note brickwork and cornice 929 956 958 [HANDWRITTEN NOTES: Top left corner: "Helksprecelled Crane Sale" [handwritten annotation in cursive script]] - 2 - SOUTH FRONT STREET East side 505 1828 507 509 521 523 525 527 West side 510 518 520 524 Hancock Court 5 houses on the west side 5 " " " east side - 3 - SOUTH FRONT STREET East side 601 603 605 607 609 West side 602 606 608 616 618 620 622 626 NW cor Front & Bainbridge - 4 - SOUTH FRONT STREET East side Bainbridge to Kenilworth Streets, - Merchants' Warehouses West side 700 SW cor Front & Bainbridge 702 704 706 708 710 712 722 724 730 734 736 740 Workman Place 744, 746, 748 3 large houses on Front Street; 3 small 2½ story houses on west side of court, facing these; 2 George Mifflin 750 houses( 1748) on Pemberton Street, face 752 754 [HANDWRITTEN NOTES: Handwritten annotation in margin at bottom right, near "750": appears to be "la card" or similar (partially illegible due to image quality); crossed out or marked over with what appears to be "ER"] - 5 - SOUTH FRONT STREET (continuing the 700 Block East side from Fitzwater to Clymer to St. Alban's to Catherine 757 SE cor Fitzwater 759 761 a 1816 769 1813. Original owner Otto James 771 1813 " " " " 773 NE cor Clymer St. 1813 " " 779 783 785 West side 758 760. permastone face 762 a 1761 (altered) 764 old house, altered 768 770 772 774 776 788 altered 790 " b c 1804 792 " 794 " now one building with 796 796 " [HANDWRITTEN NOTES: The following appears to be handwritten: - "SF" in
783 785 West side 758 760. permastone face 762 a 1761 (altered) 764 old house, altered 768 770 772 774 776 788 altered 790 " b c 1804 792 " 794 " now one building with 796 796 " [HANDWRITTEN NOTES: The following appears to be handwritten: - "SF" in the upper left margin next to "757" - "a" before "1816" on the line for 761 - "a" before "1761" on the line for 762 - "b c" before "1804" on the line for 790] - 6 - SOUTH FRONT STREET Catherine to Queen East side 801 S.E. cor Catherine + Fannie (old standard, marble &?) 803 805 807 altered 809 811 outside altered 813 Federal house, interiors well preserved on upper floors, first floor now part of abbatoir 829 831 permastone face 819 - 851 857 NE cor Christian West side 800 mutilated 802 " 804 old structure, much altered 806 808 810 812 814 816 to 822 NW cor Queen (105 Queen) 824 SW cor Queen; old structure, much altered 826 828 [HANDWRITTEN NOTES: Top right margin: handwritten notation "(old standard, marble &?)" appears after "801 S.E. cor Catherine + Fannie" Bottom right area: handwritten notation "(105 Queen)" appears after "816 to 822 NW cor Queen"] - 7 - SOUTH FRONT STREET West side continued 830 832 834 836 NW cor Beck Street 852 854 856 858 NW cor Christian - 8 -, & 9 SOUTH FRONT STREET Christian to Kimball to League to Washington East side West side 901 900 permastone face 903 902 905: 1815 908 907 . 1815 910 c 1850 911 (old house moved here from 5th & Poplar) Sparks Shot Tower 915 permastone face 938 919 c 1804 940 permastone face;(4 court houses in rear, see 110-116 Carpenter St.) 921 same as 919, except for alterations 944 923-929 "Bethel Christian Center, now First 946 Polish Baptist Church 931 948 933 950 (original woodwork inside) 939 954 941 956 947 mid-19th Century 964' SW cor League St.- neglected walled yard to NW cor Washington Ave 949 NE cor Kimball— Similar to 947 951 SE cor " " 947, 949 953 [struck through text] 955 NE cor League St. One of a row built between Front & Water Sts. c 1820 979 [HANDWRITTEN NOTES: Top right corner: "& 9" (appears to be part of a page reference number) Various strikethrough marks and corrections throughout the
cor " " 947, 949 953 [struck through text] 955 NE cor League St. One of a row built between Front & Water Sts. c 1820 979 [HANDWRITTEN NOTES: Top right corner: "& 9" (appears to be part of a page reference number) Various strikethrough marks and corrections throughout the document, including a strikethrough of text near entry 964 and near entry 953.] - 10 - PFIZER STREET Swansea to Front (formerly Mead Alley) 700 South North side 11 13 15 17 much altered 19 21 23 South side 24 26 28 30 32 - 11 - FITZWATER STREET Front to Second North side 103 NW cor Front (756 S. Front) WORKMAN PLACE 105 ----- Court entrance to Workman Place 115 Probably built by John Workman a 1810. Also 115-1-2 117 123 125 131 133 135 139 141 143 exterior similar to 141, much interior woodwork remaining South side 102 attached rear of 758 S. Front 122 104-106 124 108 126 110 originally same as 108, now altered. 128 112 " " " " " " 130 114 116 - 12 - CATHERINE STREET . Swanson to Front 800 South North side 19 altered at roof line 21 permastone face 23 25 27 29 31 33 35 37 old, altered at roof line South side 24 26 28 36 old, altered at roof line 38 40 42 44 46. 48 - 13 - CATHERINE STREET Front to Second North side 105 107 109 111 113 probably mid-19th Cent., altered South side 108 114 116 probably mid-19th Cent., altered 122 124 126 128 130 SE cor Hancock, probably mid-19th Cent., altered – 14 – QUEEN STREET Swanson to Front North side 9 11 permastone face 13 " " 15 17-29 early 19th Cent warehouse 31 33 35 c 1206 permastone face 37 South side 2 vacant, next to slaughterhouse 12 permastone face 14 16 26 old, altered at roof line 28 30 32 34 36 38 - 15 - QUEEN STREET Front to S. Hancock to Second North side 105 NW cor Front & Queen. See 816-822 S. Front 109 121 117-121 Fire House, Southwark Engine No. 3 (Weccacoe Fire Co) 123 Frame structure, asbestos shingle covered 125 old structure, altered at roof line 127 NE cor Hancock 133 135 old structure, altered South side 110 SW cor Howard St. 112 114 116 118 120 122 124 permastone front 126 128
117-121 Fire House, Southwark Engine No. 3 (Weccacoe Fire Co) 123 Frame structure, asbestos shingle covered 125 old structure, altered at roof line 127 NE cor Hancock 133 135 old structure, altered South side 110 SW cor Howard St. 112 114 116 118 120 122 124 permastone front 126 128 SE cor Hancock 130 SW cor " 132 SE cor Second St. See 827 S. Second. - 16 - BECK STREET Swanson to Front to Howard to Hancock to Second to 214, 215 North side South side 111 116 row of 10 dwellings (116-134) similar to Nos. 115-133 113 118 115 row of 10 dwellings (nos 115 - 133) built as a unit possibly early 19th Cent. 140 117 refaced 122 119 124 121 126 123 128 125 130 127 132 129 134 131 133 202 204 201 206 203 028 208 205 210 207 212 209 214 211 213 215 - 17 - NORFOLK STREET Swanson Street to Froit North side 39 41 some interior detail 43 45 vacant, tumbling down CHRISTIAN STREET Swanson to Front North side 19 23 25 27 29 35 37 South side 2 a 1830 (Nos 2-12 built as a row) 4 " 6 " 8 " 10 " 12 SE cor alley ending dead at Old Swede's Churchyard a 1830 14 permastone face 18 20 22 32 a 1804 permastone face 34 36 old structure, altered 38 40 [HANDWRITTEN NOTES: Page number "-18-" at top center in handwriting "a" before "1830" appears in handwriting (appears twice on the page) "a" before "1804" appears in handwriting] - 19 - CHRISTIAN STREET Front to Howard to Hancock to Second North side 105 121 permastone face 123 125 NE cor Hancock South side 108 110 120 old structure, mutilated 124 126 132 in poor condition - 20 - CARPENTER STREET (formerly John Street) Front to Second North side NW cor Front & Carpenter. Shot Tower playground administration Bldg. 141 South side 110 (and row of 3 dwellings facing alley E. of No. 112 These back against a similar row W. of No. 116 112 114 116 and row of 3 dwellings facing alley W of No. 116 132 134} possibly early 19th Century, altered 136} 138 140 142 - 21 - LEAGUE STREET formerly Mary Street Front to Second North side South side NW cor Water St. See 956 S. Water SW cor Water St. See
and row of 3 dwellings facing alley W of No. 116 132 134} possibly early 19th Century, altered 136} 138 140 142 - 21 - LEAGUE STREET formerly Mary Street Front to Second North side South side NW cor Water St. See 956 S. Water SW cor Water St. See 958 S. Water 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 126 15 128 17 130 19 140 21 142 23 144 cor Second St. See 1019-1021 South Second 25 27 29 NE cor Front St. 955 S. Front North side continued 109 possibly early 19th Cent, altered 125 111 " " " " " 127 113 " " " " " 129 Nos 127 - 139 are a row, 115 rear court, 2 dwellings 131 117 permastone face, early 19th Century? 133 possibly early 19th Century 119 135 altered 121 137 123 139 141 - 22 - BAINBRIDGE STREET Front to Second North side NW cor Front & Beinbridge li[f]sted as 626 South Front St. 107 permastone face 109 119 121 NE cor Hancock 125 127 129 131 old, but much altered South side SW cor Front & Bainbridge. This was the Widow Mallabiets Tavern. It is frequently mentioned in newspapers of the 1770's as place where Sheriff held his sales. 106 112 124 old but much altered 128 136 " " " " " 138 " " " " " - 23 - EDINRIDGE STREET Second to Third North side 233 235 old house, new front 241 South side 208 SE cor Philip 220 SE cor S. American 222 SW cor S. American 224 - 24 -425 Keiliworth Street Delaware to Front to Second North side South side 105 old, much altered, poor condition 104 107 " " " 106 109 108 111 110 113 112 115 " " " 114 117 116 119 118 121 120 123 " " " 122 c 1850 125 130 permastone face 127 Garage, formerly stable, early 19th Cent. 134 129 136 138 140 142 old, but altered [HANDWRITTEN NOTES: Top right of page: "-24-425" (appears to be page or document number) Left side, line for 129: "old, much altered" (appears to be handwritten or heavily annotated, somewhat difficult to read clearly)] - 26 - MONROE STREET Front to Second to S. American North side 111 113 permastone face, and altered 223 225 227 229 NE cor S. American
or document number) Left side, line for 129: "old, much altered" (appears to be handwritten or heavily annotated, somewhat difficult to read clearly)] - 26 - MONROE STREET Front to Second to S. American North side 111 113 permastone face, and altered 223 225 227 229 NE cor S. American South side 110 112 114 228 abandoned - 127 - SOUTH HANCOCK STREET. East side 613 615 Old houses, much altered 617 " " " " 619 " " " " 621 " " " " 623 West side 600 604 606 608 616 4th Story added, house gutted 620 early 19th Cent. ? 622 " " " " " ? - 28 - SOUTH HANCOCK STREET - Catherine to Queen East side 805 807 809 811 813 815 817 819 833 original owner, Southwark Soup Society 837 839 841 West side 800 - 602 806 (poor condition) c 1850 808 810 812 816 [HANDWRITTEN NOTES: Line 1 above "800-602": handwritten "602" with strikethrough, replacing typed text] - 29 - SOUTH SECOND STREET South to Catherine East side 701 SE cor Bainbridge altered & neglected 715 NE cor Kenilworth 739 SE cor Pemberton 747 769 771 783 (1831, built by Joseph Elkington as combination store & dwelling. Now the Phila. Quartz Co.) West side 716 718 724 permastone face 760 790 792 SOUTH SECOND STREET Catherine to Washington Ave. East side only - 801 915 827 SE cor Queen 917 831 923 835 945 837 947 949 1019 1021 - 30 - SOUTH AMERICAN South to Bainbridge to Monroe East side 621 old structure, much altered 623 " " " " 725 " " " " West side 604 624 626 628 630 632 634 726 728 730 732 - 51 - OTHER STREET No. 25 early 19th Century frame house - 32 - KIMBALL STREET 2 row of 9 dwellings, built as a unit, early 19th Century 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 - 33 - ST. ALBAN'S STREET (between 781 and 883 S. Front) South side 10 12 16 abandoned 18 neglected, some interior woodwork