Philadelphia: Finding the Hidden City

by Joseph E. B. Elliott, Nathaniel Popkin, Peter Woodall

Philadelphia possesses an exceptionally large number of places that have almost disappeared—from workshops and factories to sporting clubs and societies, synagogues, churches, theaters, and railroad lines. In Finding the Hidden City, urban observers Nathaniel Popkin and Peter Woodall uncover the contemporary essence of one of America’s oldest cities. Working with accomplished architectural photographer Joseph Elliott, they explore secret places in familiar locations, such as the Metropolitan Opera House on North Broad Street, the Divine Lorraine Hotel, Reading Railroad, Disston Saw Works in Tacony, and mysterious parts of City Hall. Much of the real Philadelphia is concealed behind facades. Philadelphia artfully reveals its urban secrets. Rather than a nostalgic elegy to loss and urban decline, Philadelphia exposes the city’s vivid layers and living ruins. The authors connect Philadelphia’s idiosyncratic history, culture, and people to develop an alternative theory of American urbanism, and place the city in American urban history. The journey here is as much visual as it is literary; Joseph Elliott’s sumptuous photographs reveal the city's elemental beauty.

Genres: Nonfiction, Travel, History

200 pages, Hardcover

Published October 13, 2017

Reviews

[BJ Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is so much more to Philadelphia's history than the now-Disney-fied 18th century. Hidden City makes legible the clues to it that are hidden in plain sight as I walk the blocks of my new city. I'm sure I'll be pulling this off the shelf again and again to linger over Woodall's beautiful images.

[James Bracciante · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ultimately, I learned quite a few tidbits about Philadelphia from this book. However, I felt like it barely scratched the surface of an extremely interesting topic and was more of a sampler of the much more comprehensive Hidden City website. I hope more books like this are published about Philadelphia, as there is much more to the city than what is included here. The nicest parts of the book are the beautiful high quality photos of things like the Wannamaker Organ. Ultimately a quick read, and a good introduction to the hidden side of Philadelphia.

[D.l. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm originally from one of the boroughs of Philadelphia. When I visit family, I notice the old buildings, the faded advertising, and other pieces of the past.

I've wondered why there are grave stones near the Betsy Ross bridge. This book solved the mystery. When monument cemetery was moved, unclaimed markers were repurposed as erosion control on the river bank at this bridge.

Philadelphia has a long and fascinating history. I'm glad the authors have been documenting the hidden aspects.