Philadelphia Then and Now®: A photographic guide to the hidden history and architecture of the city

by Ed Mauger

This book pairs rare old archive images with modern views to show how the city has fared since the 19th and 20th centuries. Philadelphia has Athens to thank for its classical structure, London for its Georgian and Victorian treasures, Paris for its grand boulevard, and William Penn for its name. Translated from the Greek, Philadelphia means "City of Brotherly Love." Ben Franklin's guiding hand also appears, the great polymath was involved in the world's first lending library and America's first hospital, medical school, think tank, and nondenominational college. This book pairs rare old archive images with modern views to show how the city has fared since the 19th and 20th centuries. Locations include Betsy Ross House, Elfreth's Alley, London Coffee House, Reading Terminal, Wannamakers, Poe House, Carpenter's Hall, Second Bank, Bourse Building, Masonic Temple, Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia Waterworks, Fairmount Park, University of Philadelphia, Shibe Park, League Island, Penn Cottage, and Girard College. Extensively revised from the original version with new sites, new text, and additional photos.

Genres: History

144 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2014

Reviews

[Kurt Weber · Rating 4 out of 5]

How did we let our city slide so far