USA > Pennsylvania > A gazetteer of the state of Pennsylvania : a part first, contains a general description of the state, its situation and extent, general geological construction, canals, and rail-roads, bridges, revenue, expenditures, public debt, &c. &c. ; part second, embraces ample descriptions of its counties, towns, cities, villages, mountains, lakes, rivers, creeks, &c. alphabetically arranged > Part 65
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87
The head pier, guard locks, two lift locks and canal, are constructed in the most substantial manner on the W. side of the river. On the E. the whole shore was of solid rock, which has been excavated to the width of 140 feet, to form the race and site of the mill houses, running parallel with the river. The length of the race is 419 feet, the greatest depth of excava- tion 60 feet, and the least 16 feet. The gunpowder uscd, alone, cost the con- tractor above 12,000 dollars. At the upper part of the excavation are the head arches, 3 in number, extending from the E. end of the mound dam to the rock of the bank.
On the W. of the excavation are erected the mill houses, forming the W. side of the race. The S. end, like the E. side of the race, is of solid rock. The race is about 90 feet wide; the
PHI
363
PHI
water passage through the arches is[ of iron weighing 5 tons each. The 68 feet in width and 6 feet deep, the depth to which the race is excavated below the dam ; consequently, the area of the passage gives a continucd stream of 408 square feet of water. These arches are on the N. of the race, and the m ll buildings being on the W. the water passes from the race to the wheels, and is discharged thence into the river below the dam. The gate of the centre arch is upon the principle of the lock gate, and admits boats into the race ; at the S. end of the mill buildings there is a waste gate 8 feet wide, by which (the upper gates being shut,) the water can be drawn off to the bottom of the race.
The mill buildings are of stone, 238 feet long, and 56 wide. The lower section is divided into 12 apartments, 4 of which are intended for 8 double forcing pumps, the others for the fore. bays and water wheels. These cham- bers are arched with brick, and warmed by stoves ; so that in the most inclement season no ice is formed within them. A gallery extends along the building from which the wheels may all be seen at a view. The cen- tre part of the buildings is 190 by 25 feet, with circular doors to the pump chambers, and a range of circular windows over the archways of the wheel rooms. On a line with the cornice of the central part, is the base course of 2 pavillions, with Doric por- ticoes, which terminate the W. front. One of these is used for the office of the committee, and the other is the residence of an old and faithful ser- vant of the corporation, who has the general care of the property at Fair Mount. On the E. front, immediately over the pumps and forebay rooms, is a terrace 253 fect long and 26 feet wide, paved with brick, and railed, forming a handsome walk along the race and leading by steps at the end to the top of the head arches, mound dam and pier.
There are now 4 wheels at work, and a fifth being constructed. Three of the wheels are of wood, with shafts
fourth is altogether of cast iron, and weighs about 22 tons. These wheels are competent to throw into the reser- voirs full 6,000,000 gallons in the 24 hours. The pumps made by Messrs. Rush & Muhlenburg, under the direc- tion of Mr. F. Graff, are placed hori- zontally, and worked by a crank on the water wheel, attached to a pitman connected with the piston, at the end of the slides. They are fed under a natural head of water from the fore- bays of the water wheels, and are cal- culated for a 6 feet stroke ; but hither- to it has been found more profitable to work with not more than 5 feet. They are double forcing pumps, and are connected, each of them, to an iron main of 16 inches in diameter, which is carried along the bottom of the race to the rock at the foot of Fair Mount, and thence up the bank into the reser- voir. At the end of the pipe is a stop cock which may be closed when ne- cessary. The shortest of these mains is 284 feet long.
There are 4 reservoirs ; No. 1 contains 3,917,659 gallons ; No. 2, 3,296,434 ; No. 3, 2,707,295; and No. 4, 10,000,000 of gallons. Total, 19,921,388 gallons, equal to a supply for ten days consumption, in the sum- mer season. These reservoirs are 102 feet above low tide, and 56 feet above the highest ground in the city. From them the water is conveyed in iron mains and iron and wood pipes, into the city and Liberties.
. Wooden pipes were originally used for conducting the water, but being subject to bursting and speedy decay, they have long since been abandoned. Iron pipes have been extended through sections of the city where the wooden pipes were decayed and elsewhere, which, added to the iron pipes laid in the districts adjoining the city, exceed 60 miles. The water was introduced into Spring Garden, April 26, 1826, into Southwark June 1, and into the Northern Liberties June 6th, of the same year. The iron pipes, first im- ported from Europe, are now made in
PHI
364
PHI
the U. States as well, and as cheaply as'abroad.
Whilst the steam engine was in use for raising water, the cost of raising 1,600,000 gallons per day, the extent that could be gained was #30,858 per annum. Two men are sufficient to attend the present works, 12 hours al- ternately, whose wages, with the cx- pense for fuel, light and tallow, amount to $4 per diem, 81400 per annum. Add to this sum the interest at 5 per cent on the cost of the works, and the difference will be that saved on 1,600,- 000 gallons of water. But the pres- ent works give 6,000,000 of gallons, and the addition of 4 wheels, will in- crease the quantity to 12,000,000, and the expense only to $10 the day.
The whole cost to the city when first finished, of the works at Fair Mount, Is as follows, viz. : water power at the falls, $150,000
Damages for overflowing by the dam, ercction of dam,
locks, head arches, race and piers, 187,182
Three pumps, 11,000
Mill houses, mills, and other
works connected with them, 71,250
Iron raising mains, 4,480
New reservoir, 8,600
8432,512
The entire amount expended by the city for the intro-
duction of the Schuylkill water, will be seen by ad- ding cost of the first works on Centre square, 690,402 81
Do. of second steam works
including reservoir, 320,669 84
Total, $1,443,585 36
added for additional wheels and reser- voirs, and the formation of the neat garden at the western foot of Fair- Mount, &c. &c. The income from water rents is ahout 70,000 dollars per annum, and will increase yearly, for an indefinite period, and will furnish large means for the extinction of the
debt, which the water works have ere. ated.
Over the central entrance to the mill is a statue of the river god, bound in chains, and verily the genius of the stream thus subject, is a most useful slave. Proteus himself could not have effected more changes, nor the slavo of the Lamp have administered more serviceably to his master.
The scenery of Fair Mount, is rich in natural and artificial beauty, and so attractive has it become to citizens and strangers, that several stages find constant employment in transporting visiters to and from it during the whole year, save in the winter months.
Public Buildings, Gardens, &c. The buildings generally of Philadel- phia are remarkable for simplicity and neatness of style, and durability of construction. For the latter, the vi- cinity of the city furnishes abundant material, in stone, marble, lime and clay of the best kind. But in the modern public buildings, these qualities have much grandeur. Christ's church, one of the oldest of the city, merits attention as well for the beauty of its architecture as the height of its steeple, which is 190 feet, and possesses a fine chime of bells. St. Stephen's, 102 ft. long, is an interesting specimen of Gothic architecture. On the western front are 2 octangular towers, 86 feet high, which are to be raised still high- er. The pulpit and chancel are high- ly finished, and the coup de œil on en- tering the church is highly impressive. The windows are embellished with cherubim in stained glass. St. John's, a new Catholic church, is also after the Gothic order, and has excited much admiration. St. Andrew's, an Epis- copalian church, has a front copied
Other, but not great sums, are to be from the portico of the temple of Bac-
chus, at Teos. The interior is of the same style of architecture, and is high- ly decorated. A foundation for a spire is laid at the west end of the building. The first Presbyterian church, opposite to Washington square, is a Grecian edifice modelled from the Ionic temple on the river Ilys-
PHI
365
PHI
sus, at Athens. It is of brick, stuc- cocd in imitation of marble. 'The roof is surmounted by a cupola with a bell. The fifth Presbyterian church is a neat, brick building, with a well proportion- ed steeple 165 feet high. Some oth- er churches in the city and Liberties merit attention, among which St. John's and the second Universalist church in the Northern Liberties may be mentioned.
The old court house built in 1709, in Second street, has been, and should be preserved, as a perpetual means of con- trasting the progress of the wealth and taste of the city with its condition in these respects, soon after its founda- tion. It was once the focus of busi- ness of every kind, the seat of justice, the chapel of itinerant preachers, and the mart of the auctioneer, and is now the head quarters of the nightly watch.
The state house now called Inde- pendence Hall, was completed 1735, in a chaste and ornamental style, which has been in several instances defaced, by the repairs and substitutions of ig. norant agents of the corporation. A just taste now seeks to restore its pris- tine form. The original steeple was taken down, being decayed, about the close of the revolutionary war. A new one has lately been built, as like the former as could be made from the reminiscences of the citizens, with an illuminated dial plate to the clock, by which the hours of the night may be told. The public offices and halls of the courts are on the E. and W. sides, and cover the whole N. front, exceed- ing 400 feet in length, of the state house square. If this group of build- ings had uniformity of style, they would indeed be an admirable orna- ment of the city, to which the delight- ful arcade of Linden trees before them, is a beautiful and grateful addi- tion. From the steps of the Centre hall, these United States were first de- clared free, sovereign and independ- ent.
The university and medical college halls, are admirable for the beautiful simplicity and appropriate character
of their construction. They have each 85 feet front and 112 feet depth, and are separated by an open area of similar dimensions, laid out in grass plats and walks. The whole is en- closed by a low marble wall, and iron railing. The material of the buildings is brick, stuccoed in imitation of gneiss.
The new alms house now being erected, will when completed, consist of 4 buildings, each 500 feet front, 3 stories high, including the basement, of regular ashlar masonry, so placed as to enclose a rectangular yard. A Tuscan portico will front the Schuyl- kill, having 6 columns, 5 feet in diam- eter at the base, and 30 feet high. When finished, this will be the palace of the poor. The arcade, on the N. side of Chestnut street, W. of Sixth street, is 100 feet front and 150 feet deep, to Carpenter street. Two ave- nues run through it, upon both sides of which the stores open, and those of the second story have a gallery before them. The whole is covered by sky lights. The third story is supported by arches, and is divided into 3 large rooms and 2 saloons, all occupied by the Philadelphia museumn. Both fronts are of marble. It is the property of a joint stock company. Although this structure is certainly handsome and commodious, this species of Bazaar does not seem to accord with Philadelphia taste, and we fear the stock is not pro- fitable to the holders.
The markets of Philadelphia are too celebrated to be passed over. The butcher's meat, poultry, butter, vege- tables and fruits in the appropriate seasons, are most admirable in quality and quantity, and in the order and cleanliness of their exhibition. The High street market houses extend from the Delaware river to Eighth street, in length near 4000 feet. On market days, the wagons and cars of the country folks, converted into temporary stalls, reach westward on either side of the way, an almost equal distance. And a similar array of ve- hicles is frequently seen more than a
PHI
366
PHI
mile in length, upon Second street. Besides this great market, there are 5 others in the city and Liberties, and additional ones have become indispen- sable to the convenience of the citi- zens.
Bank Edifices .- Banking house of the bank of the United States. This building is a copy, by Mr. William Strickland, of the Parthenon at Ath- ens, so far as was consistent with its designated purpose,dispensing with the flanking columns and decorations. The ascent to the porticoes,is by a flight of six steps, to a terrace extending in front of the building and sixteen feet on each flank. On this platform, 87 feet front, and 161 feet deep, including the porticoes, the building is erected. In front, steps of marble lead to the basement, projecting 10 ft. 6 in. upon which rise eight Doric columns,4 ft. 6 inches in diameter, and 27 feet high ; supporting a plain entablature and a pediment, the vertical angle of which is 153º. The door of entrance opens into a large vestibule with circular ends, opening into office rooms, and a lobby leading to the banking room. 'The vestibule ceiling is a prolonged pannelled dome, divided into three compartments by bands enriched with guilloches, springing from a project- ing impost, containing a sunken frette. The pavement is tessellated with American and Italian marble through- out. The banking room occupies the centre of the building, and is 48 feet wide by 81 feet E. and W., and is lighted from either end. Two rows of fluted marble columns, of the Greek Ionic order, 22 inches in diameter, with full entablature and blocking course, are placed, each ten feet dis- tant from the side walls. On these the great central and lateral arches of the roof are supported. The first is semi-cylindrical ; is 28 ft. in diameter, 81 in length, and sub-divided into seven compartments, richly orna- mented. The ceiling is 35 feet from the floor to the crown of the arch, and is executed with great precision and effect. An Isthmian wreath, carved
from an entire block of Pennsylvania white marble, surrounds the clock face, which occupies the space of the first pannel over the entablature in the centre, the design of which is copied from the reverse of an antique gem, found at Corinth and described by Stewart, in his work on the antiquities of Athens. The clerks' desks are placed within the intercolumniations ; the tellers counters, composed of mar- ble, forming pannelled pedestals, across each end of the banking room, commencing at the first column at each end of the walls.
The stockholders' room is a paral- lelogram of 28 by 50 ft., lighted from the portico of the south front, with a rich ceiling and otherwise ornament- ed. The committee rooms from the stockholders, open right and left, flanked by two flights of marble stairs, leading to the apartments of the up- per story. A private staircase from the banking room leads to the direc- tors', engravers' and copper plate printers' rooms, which are lighted from the roof.
Bank of Pennsylvania. . The bank- ing house of this company, from a de- sign of the late Mr. Latrobe, is like the bank of the United States, a pure specimen of Grecian architecture. It is copied from the temple of the muses on the Ilyssus, near Athens, with two Ionic porticos of six columns each, supporting entablatures and peda- ments. 'The whole building, 125 ft. by 51, is of white Pennsylvania mar- ble. The banking room is circular, surmounted by a dome covered with marble, and lighted by a lantern in the centre. The stockholders' room opens on the western portico, and looks into a small neat garden, sur- rounded by a low brick wall and iron palisades.
The banking house of the bank of Philadelphia is also from a design of Mr. Latrobe. It is in the Gothic style, and covered with stucco imitating mar- ble. The building has its admirers ; but does not receive the general ap- probation of the citizens.
PHI
367
PHI
The banking house of the late Ste- phen Girard, Esq. was built by the first bank of the United States, and is a beautiful structure with a marble front, and a portico with 6 marble col- umns of the Corinthian order.
The banking house of Penn town- ship is a plain, neat and massive struc- ture, stuccoed in imitation of granite
There are several establishments pertaining to the general government, located within the city and county of Philadelphia, which claim a short de- scription. The custom house, after a design from Strickland, is a ncat and commodious building, with large stores appurtenant to it. The front of the basement story is of marble, the re- mainder of the exterior of brick. A niche in the front has a statue, person- ating commerce, executed by Rush. The mint is a superb building, of the Ionic order, erected under the direc- tion of Strickland, in Chesnut near Broad street, having two fronts of 122 feet, divided into porticoes, 62 feet long, and wings of 30 feet each. The porticos consist each of six marble col- umns, 3 feet in diameter and 25 feet high. The mass of the building is of brick, faced with thick marble ashlar, and contains every accommodation for officers, workmen and machinery, which the institution can desire. It is at once a beautiful ornament of the city, and honorable to the liberality of the general government. The Schuyl- kill arsenal is on the east bank of that river, below the city. The buildings, consisting of four large store houses, at right angles with each other, and a dwelling for the commanding officer, and a powder magazine, were erected in 1800. It is a depot of clothing, camp equipage and quarter masters' stores. The Delaware arsenal is in the angle formed by the confluence of the Frankford creek with the Dela- ware river, and is one of the hand- somest military stations in the U. S. It comprises six large stone buildings forming a square, with work shops, &c. It is a principal depot for small arms, nitre, flints, &c. The powder
magazine is very commodious, and may contain 500,000 lbs. of powder. The marine asylum, a noble and mag- nificent structure, created by the funds of American seamen, is on the cast side of the Schuylkill river, in the vi- cinity of the arsenal, and is beautifully situated, having a commanding view of the river and the surrounding coun- try. 'The building is faced with mar- ble ; is 386 feet long, consisting of an Ionic portico of 90 feet, sppported by 8 columns, and wings, each 148 feet. In front and rear ofthe wings, run cov- ered verandas, supported by cast iron columns. The chapel is 50 feet square and 40 in height to the lantern. This is one of the largest and most beauti- ful buildings in the vicinity of the city. The navy yard is on the Delaware river, at the south end of Swanson st., in the District of Southwark, surroun- ded on three sides by a high brick wall, enclosing about 20 acres of ground. It contains a mould loft for modelling ships of war; a blacksmith's shop, in which all the iron work is made for the public ships, built on this station ; an hospital ; marine barracks spacious enough to contain 150 men, with quarters for the officers, and a handsome dwelling for the comman- der of marines. The sheers for fixing masts are 120 ft. high, and said to be the most complete in the U. S. There are a large three decker,and a frigate on the stocks here, each cov- ered by a frame building.
Theatres. There are three thea- atres in the city and one in the North- ern Liberties. Those in the city are large, commodious piles, and very or- namental in their appearance. The Chesnut and Arch street theatres were built after the plans and under the di- rection of Mr. Strickland. The Wal- nut street theatre has been lately re- modelled by Mr. Haviland. The Washington theatre in the Northern Liberties, is a frame building, originally erected in 1828, for an equestrian com- pany ; and has lately been fitted up for dramatic performances.
Public squares and gardens. The
PHI
368
PHI
wide streets and public squares laid out by William Penn, show a wise re- gard for the health and pleasure of his city. To his foresight she is indebted for five public squares, which con- tribute now and will hereafter con- tribute, more essentially to the enjoy- ments of the citizens. Penn square, at the intersection of Broad and Mar- ket streets ; Washington square, on Walnut and Sixth ; and Franklin square, on Sassafras and Sixth, arc much improved, and the two last are delightful promenades ; to which we must add Independence square, for- merly the state house lot ; all which are much frequented by citizens of every age and rank, and yield a most healthful recreation to the children. Logan square is in the N. W.,and Rit- tenhouse, in the S. W. sections of the city ; but these are yet unimproved.
The are several " botanical gar- dens," as they are termed, in the city and Liberties, in which are green houses stocked with exotics, grounds neatly laid out, and large and various collections of fruits and flowers. That founded by the distinguished naturalist Bartram, on the W. bank of the Schuyl- kill; that of the Messrs. Landreth in Passyunk ; that planted by Mr. Mc Mahon, in Penn township, McArans, the labyrinth garden, and Sans souci, in the city, in which hotels are estab- lished, are the most noted.
Prisons. There are three prisons in the city and co. The first and co. prison, is still and has long been used as a penitentiary. It covers a lot of 400 feet on Sixth, and 200 ft. on Wal- nut and Prune streets. But meas- ures having been taken for the erec- tion of a new county prison in the township of Passyunk, the present will shortly be removed, and will give a site for private buildings unequalled for beauty in the city. 'The second, known as the Arch street prison, was built by the state, in the year 1807 ; was since purchased by the county of Philadelphia, and is now used as a debtor's apartment, and for the con- finement of prisoners awaiting trial.
The unceasing efforts of Pennsylvania to render the inflictions of punishment for offences against society, not only a terror to evil doers, but also the means of reclaiming the offenders, have caused the erection, at a very great expense, of the W. and E. penitentia- ries. These are described particular- ly in the preceding part of the work. The latter is in Spring Garden district, upon a high and healthy site near the Schuylkill.
As a manufacturing city, Philadelphia (of course including the county)claims the first rank in the Union. In wood, iron, ship building, cotton, woollen, glass, earthern and stone ware, steam engines, and a thousand other handi- crafts, she is equally distinguished. The curiosity of the stranger may be excited by the shot tower, for the manufacture of leaden shot, of Mr. Sparks, in Southwark, of a circular form, 30 feet in diameter at the base, and 15 at the summit, and 142 high; and that of Mr. Beck in the city, ncar ' the Schuylkill, square in form, with sides of 33 feet at the base, and 22 at the apex, having an elevation of 166 feet. The porcelain factory of Mr. Tucker, in which China is fabricated with the excellence and taste of the best French ware. The very exten- sive and admirable floor cloth and carpet manufactory of Mr. McCauley, at Bush Hill; and the several glass factories.
In 1830, there were in Philadelphia and its vicinity, 101 warping mills at work, sufficient to employ about 4500 weavers ; dyers over 200 ; spoolers 3000 ; bobbin winders 2000 ; whose wages would amount to $1,470,040. Their operations consume 114,400 Ibs. indigo per ann., and 1820 barrels of flour for sizing ; make 81,000 yds. per day, or $21,300,000 per ann. at 16 cts. per yard, equal to $3,888,000.
The city and county of Philadelphia is divided into three congressional dis- tricts, each sending a member to con- gress. The city alone forms the first senatorial district, and sends two mem- bers to senate, and seven members to
PHI
369
PHI
the house of representatives. The county alone constitutes the second senatorial district, sending also two members to the senate, and eight mem- bers to the house of representatives. The city and county compose the first judicial district of the state. Presi- dent, Edward King, Esq. The courts are holden in the city on the 1st Mon- days of March and June, 3d of Sep- tember, and Ist of December. The supreme court for the eastern district, holds in Philadelphia 2 terms annually, commencing respectively on the 2nd Mondays in March and Dec. In the other four supreme court districts, the power of the court is limited to a re- vision of the proceedings of other courts, amd to the hearing of appeals in certain specific cases. In the city and county of Philadelphia, that court has original jurisdiction when the mat- ter in controversy exceeds $500 ; and all issues of fact are tried by a jury, before a single judge, at Nisi Prius ; and the judges also hold annually a court of oyer and terminer, for the trial of felonies not cognizable by the court of quarter sessions. The dis- trict court for the city and county of Philadelphia, was originally establish- ed in 1810, and has been continued from time to time by several acts of the legislature, the last of which was passed in March, 1832. It is compo- scd of three judges ; has four terms, commencing respectively on the 1st Mondays in March, June, September, and December ; and original jurisdic- tion in cases where the matter in con- troversy exceeds $100 dollars, but no criminal or appellate jurisdiction. The mayor's court for the city, has like jurisdiction of criminal cases arising within the city, as the sessions has for the co. It is holden by the mayor, recorder, and three aldermen ; has 4 sessions annually, viz., in March, June, Sept., and Dec. The several courts. of the U. S. for the castern district of Pa., are holden in the city of Phila. The district court, holden alone by the judge of the district, has four stated terms annually, viz., on the 3d Mon-
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.