USA > Pennsylvania > A geography of Pennsylvania : containing an account of the history, geographical features, soil, climate, geology, botany, zoology, population, education, government, finances, productions, trade, railroads, canals &c. of the state : with a separate description of each county, and questions for the convenience of teachers : to which is appended, a travellers' guide, or table of distances on the principal rail road, canal and stage routes in the state > Part 40
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Washington square, on Sixth street between Walnut and Locust, was for many years used as a public burial ground for the poor and for strangers, under the name of the Potters' field. About the year 1795, the extension of improvements and buildings into this quarter induced the city authorities to close it against future interments. Its improvement as a public square commenced in 1815, when a variety of trees were planted, gravel walks laid out, and other steps taken which have led to its present attractive ap- pearance. It is intended to erect, in the centre of this square, a monument to the memory of Washington ; the corner stone having been laid with due ceremony at the celebration of his birth day, on the 22d of February, 1833.
Franklin square is on Sixth street between Race and Vine, being also laid out with gravel walks and planted with trees, affording a public pro- menade equally agreeable with Washington square. A magnificent foun- tain, surrounded by a marble basin, has been constructed in the centre, supplied with water from the works at Fairmount.
Logan square, named after James Logan, the friend and secretary of William Penn, and Rittenhouse square, after David Rittenhouse, the phi- losopher and statesman, are both on Schuylkill Fifth street; the former between Race and Vine, and the latter between Walnut and Locust. They are both enclosed and planted with trees, and promise in a few years to present an appearance similar to Washington and Franklin squares, afford- ing to the inhabitants of the western part of the city, cool and shady walks of equal attraction to those now enjoyed in the eastern squares.
Penn square, at the intersection of Market and Broad streets, was, within the recollection of many now living, not a square but a circle, having the street passing round it and enclosing the distributing reservoir of the city water works. On the construction of the reservoir at Fairmount, the old marble building in Centre square was taken down, and Market and Broad streets were opened directly through the square, dividing it into four distinct enclosures, the public benefit of which seems to be thus far con- fined to the production of tolerable crops of grass.
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GEOGRAPHY OF PENNSYLVANIA.
Buildings .- The dwellings are mostly built of brick ; the general style of the architecture being plain and neat, rather than showy and ornamental. White marble is generally used for door steps, window sills, &c., and many of the modern buildings have the basement story faced in front with this material. A number of the public buildings present an entire exterior of marble, from the quarries of Montgomery and Chester counties; the abundant supply which they yield having added greatly to the architectural embellishment of the city. Of the many splendid marble edifices with which Philadelphia is adorned, the most conspicuous for their size and the beauty of their architectural design are the Girard college, the United States and Pennsylvania banking houses, the Merchants' Exchange, the United States' mint, the Marine hospital or Naval asylum, and some others.
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Girard College.
The Girard college occupies a commanding position on high ground about a mile north-west of the incorporated limits of the city. The lot on which it stands contains about forty five acres, and was bequeathed for this purpose by the founder of the institution. The college buildings con- sist of a centre edifice which is to be exclusively devoted to the purposes of education, and four other buildings, two on each side, for the residence and accommodation of professors, teachers, and scholars. The centre building, which forms the most conspicuous object, and at once rivets the attention of the beholder by its immense proportions, its beautiful columns and gorgeous capitals, is two hundred and eighteen feet in length from north to south, one hundred and sixty feet in breadth from east to west, and ninety-seven feet in height. It is surrounded by thirty-four columns, supporting an entablature after the manner of a Grecian temple. Each column, including its capital and base, is fifty-five feet high and six feet in diameter, having a base three feet high and nine feet in diameter, and leaving a space of fifteen feet between the columns and the body of the build g. At each end is a door of entrance sixteen feet wide and thirty two feet high, decorated with massive architraves surmounted by a sculp- tured cornice. Each of these doors opens into a vestibule 26 feet wide and 48 feet long, the ceiling of which is supported by eight marble columns and eight antæ of the Ionic order. In the second story, over these vestibules, are lobbies of similar dimensions, having their ceilings supported by Co- rinthian columns. In each corner of the building are marble stairways, lighted from the roof. On each floor are four rooms of 50 feet square ; the ceilings of those on the first and second stories being groin arched, and those on the third vaulted, with a central sky-light so formed as not to pro- trude above the roof. The roof, floors and stairways, are constructed of marble, no wood being used except for doors. The building is warmed by means of furnaces built in the cellar, and has flues for ventilation con- structed in the interior walls.
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PHILADELPHIA CITY AND COUNTY.
The remaining four buildings, situated two on each side of the main building, are each 52 feet wide by 125 feet long, and two stories high above the basement. The most eastern of these, intended for the use of the pro- fessors, is so constructed as to accommodate four distinct families with all the conveniences of private dwellings. The other three buildings are de- signed for the residence and accommodation of the pupils.
The United States' Bank is one of the most chaste specimens of Grecian architecture in this country. It is an imitation of the Parthenon, a temple of the Doric order at Athens, with the omission of the colonnades on the sides and some other decorations. The platform on which the building is erected is 87 feet in front by 161 feet deep, having marble steps ascending to the portico. Eight columns, four feet six inches in diameter, support a plain entablature and pediment. The large banking room in the centre of the building is 81 feet long and 48 feet wide, richly ornamented with fluted Ionic columns, and sculptured embellishments. Adjoining this are several smaller apartments used for various purposes ; the whole interior arrange- ment of the building being admirably adapted to the business for which it was designed. 'This edifice was commenced in 1819, and finished in 1821, at a cost of about $500,000.
United States' Bank.
The Bank of Pennsylvania is a beautiful edifice of white marble, designed from a Greek temple near Athens, and is one of the purest specimens of Grecian architecture to be met with in the United States. It has a portico on each front, with six Ionic columns, supporting an entablature and pedi- ment ; the entire building being 125 feet long and 51 feet wide. The en- closure in which it stands is tastefully ornamented with plants and shrub- bery, and surrounded by an iron railing.
The Girard Bank has a marble front, enriched by a portico and six Co- rinthian columns ; the sides and back of the building being composed of red brick walls, which offer a strange contrast with the Grecian style of its front.
Several of the other banking houses are handsome and spacious build- ings, but erected in a plainer style of architecture than those already men- tioned.
The Merchants' Exchange is a noble edifice erected on the triangular space between Third, Walnut and Dock streets, and constituting the cen- tral point of commercial and financial business transactions. The eastern façade, fronting on Dock street, presents a simicircular piazza supported by Corinthian pillars, standing upon a basement about 12 feet high, being richly ornamented with sculpture, and producing a beautiful and imposing effect.
Some of the other prominent buildings in the city and adjoining districts will be described in our notice of the institutions to which they belong, or of the objects for which they were erected.
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GEOGRAPHY OF PENNSYLVANIA.
Merchants' Exchange.
Water works .- Before the erection of the works at Fairmount, the city was supplied with water from the Schuylkill by means of two steam en- gines, one on Chestnut street near the river, and the other at the intersec- tion of Broad and Market streets. By the first the water was forced into a tunnel extending along Chestnut and Broad streets to the engine at Cen- tre, now called Penn square, where it was elevated by the second engine into a reservoir 36 feet high, and thence conveyed in wooden pipes through the city. This arrangement being found to be totally inadequate to the supply required, after a cost of $657,398 from its commencement in 1799, was finally abandoned in 1815. In 1812 the construction of steam works at Fairmount was commenced, and in 1815 was so far completed as to be put in operation. But it soon became apparent that the small and expensive supply thus obtained would not meet the demand of a great and growing city, and that some other system must be adopted better calculated to se- cure the great objects of economy and abundance. Accordingly, in 1818, after expending $320,699 in the erection and support of these works, the city councils, in compliance with a recommendation of the watering com- mittee, authorized the erection of the dam and water works now in opera- tion ; the first wheel was put in motion July 1, 1822, and on the 25th of October the steam works were stopped.
Fairmount.
The city and adjoining districts are now abundantly supplied with excellent water by means of these hydraulic works, which are situated on the east side of the Schuylkill above the city. The mount is an oval shaped eminence, and on its top, which is 102 feet above the water in the river, and upwards of 50 feet above the highest ground in the city, are four reservoirs contain- ing together about 22,000,000 of gallons. These reservoirs are enclosed by
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PHILADELPHIA CITY AND COUNTY.
a paling, and surrounded by a gravel walk, having a flight of steps ascend- ing to it on the west, and being attained by several sloping ascents on the east. The requisite power for propelling the machinery is obtained by means of a dam 1600 feet in length, thrown across the river, from which a race upwards of 400 feet long and 90 feet wide, excavated from the solid rock, conveys the water to the forebays in front of the wheels. The mill house is of stone, 238 feet long and 56 feet wide, being calculated for eight water wheels each 15 feet in length and from 14 to 18 feet in diameter. These wheels have iron shafts weighing about five tons each, and in most of them the arms and rims are also of iron. To each shaft is affixed a crank, working a double forcing pump by which the water is raised into the reservoirs. The pumps have a diameter of 16 inches with a stroke of five feet, making from 12 to 13 strokes in a minute; each pump raising about a million and a quarter of gallons in 24 hours, and being connected with an iron main 16 inches in diameter, which passes across the bottom of the race and up the side of the mount into the reservoir, 92 feet above the level of the dam. The reservoirs cover an area of upwards of six acres ; they are twelve feet deep, lined with stone and paved with bricks laid upon a bed of clay in strong lime cement, and made water-tight. The water is conveyed from them into the city by two iron mains, one of 20 and the other 22 inches in diameter; from which branches from 6 to 10 inches in diameter are laid through the principal streets, and from these smaller ones into the other streets and alleys. From the main pipes the water is con- veyed into the yards and dwellings by small lead or iron pipes. Fire plugs are placed in the streets at convenient distances, to which, on the breaking out of a fire, leathern hose may be attached, by means of which water is supplied to the engines or carried into any accessible part of the burning building. These fire plugs also furnish copious streams of water with which the streets are washed almost daily during the warm season. Be- neath the pavements are numerous cisterns supplied with water from the main pipes. having pumps inserted for public use.
The consumption of water in the city and districts, during the year 1842, amounted to an average daily supply of 4,297,480 gallons, distributed to 25,816 tenants, and equal to 167 gallons daily for each tenant.
The length of iron pipes laid in the city at the close of 1842 was 64} miles, and in the districts 51 miles, making a total of 115 miles. The num- ber of fire plugs in the city is 524, and in the districts 531 : total 1055.
The cost of erecting the present works in 1822, with the additions of per- manent work annually made (not including repairs to the dam) up to the end of the year 1842, amounts to about $1,500,000. In 1818 the expense of working one steam engine and pump for one year was $30,858; and with this expenditure not more than 1,600,000 gallons could be raised in 24 hours. At this rate the expense of supplying the city by steam power, with the same quantity of water now used, would be $227 per day ; while the present expense of the water power, for attendants' wages, oil, fuel, &c., is about $7 per day.
Gas Works .- The principal streets, most of the stores, hotels, churches, public institutions, and many of the private dwellings are lighted with gas. supplied from the City gas works on the Schuylkill, between Market and Filbert streets. These works, originally constructed by a company, but now owned by the city, consist of a retort house capable of containing 120 retorts with all their connexions with the refrigerating and purifying appa- ratus; three large station meters for measuring the gas as it is manufactured ; suitable workshops, offices, laboratory, &c. On the eastern part of the lot are eight gasometers of fifty fect each in diameter, capable of containing altogether 280,000 cubic feet of gas. From these the gas is distributed throughout the city by means of iron pipes laid under ground along the streets, in the same manner as the Schuylkill water is conducted, with small pipes to lead the gas from the street mains into the houses and to the public lamps. The total length of street mains in 1842 was 354 miles.
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GEOGRAPHY OF PENNSYLVANIA.
The demand for gas is steadily increasing, and its use rapidly extending throughout the city. The quantity supplied during the year 1842 was 50,811,000 cubic feet, which was produced from 187,147 bushels of coal and 500 barrels of rosin. The fuel used consisted of 54,536 bushels of coke, which is a residuum left in the retorts after the gas has been expelled from the coal, and is produced in such quantity as not only to supply all the fuel used for heating the retorts, but also a large surplus for sale. 'The number of private lights in use in 1842 was 27,240, and 778 street lamps supplied with gas, besides those in the market-houses and public squares.
Gas works have also been constructed in the Northern Liberties by a company for the purpose of supplying that district, Kensington, &c. Their structure and management are similar to those in the city.
Provisions, fuel, &c .- There is, perhaps, no city in the world which ex- ceeds Philadelphia in the abundance, excellence, and cheapness of the pro- visions furnished by its markets. Butchers' meat in all its variety, and poultry of various kinds are plentiful at all seasons of the year ; fresh. fish is obtained from the neighbouring rivers, and sea fish brought from the ocean preserved in ice. Fresh butter is brought in daily by the farmers ; milk and cream by the milkmen in the vicinity of the city; and the fruit and vegetables supplied by the orchards and gardens of the neighbouring parts of our own State and of New Jersey, are not surpassed in variety and goodness by those of any other market in the country.
Fuel is an important item in the necessary supplies of a large city, and in this respect Philadelphia is eminently fortunate. The rivers which wash this city on both sides flow from mountains containing inexhaustible stores of anthracite coal, and the canals and rail roads which have been constructed along their banks furnish a cheap and easy means of transportation to the city, not only for its own supply, but for shipment to other places less fa- vourably situated for obtaining this now almost indispensable article of use. The consumption of wood is still considerable, its price having been much reduced since the general introduction of coal as a fuel. The wood sold on our wharves is chiefly brought up the river from the lower parts of New Jersey and Delaware.
Resources, trade, &c .- While thus bountifully supplied with all the ne- cessaries of life, Philadelphia is not deficient in those articles of luxury, or- nament and taste in which the wealthier portion of the population of large cities usually indulge. Her extensive domestic and foreign trade, her nu- merous manufactories, the extension of her buildings and other improve- ments, while they employ the capital and enterprise of the merchant, the manufacturer and the proprietor, create such a demand for labour as to ensure employment to the working classes at such wages as afford them, by the practice of a temperate and prudent economy, not only a decent subsistence, but the means of ameliorating their condition and increasing their fortunes.
The prosperity of this city is perhaps mainly owing to the advantages of a situation which has afforded it such abundant resources of trade, and em- ployment for the enterprise and industry of its inhabitants. Surrounded by a fertile, well cultivated, and populous country, in which the productions of agriculture, manufactures and the mechanic arts are constantly and steadily increasing ;- near the confluence of two rivers whose navigation has been improved by public and corporate enterprise ;- the point to which important rail roads tend from every direction, facilitating communication and the desirable interchange of the varied productions of our widely ex- tended country,-Philadelphia must continue to advance in business, popu- lation and wealth. The Schuylkill river rises in a region abounding in mineral treasures, and flows thence through one of the richest agricultural districts of the State, bearing their united products to the western front of the city ; while the Delaware forms the natural outlet for another extensive region, rich in the productions of the mine, the forest and the field, which are floated on its waters to the eastern wharves of this great receptacle and
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PHILADELPHIA CITY AND COUNTY.
market for internal produce. From the city to the ocean, the Delaware expands its ample bosom, bearing merchant vessels of the largest class, which carry our produce to other states and to distant climes, bringing us in return such of their productions and merchandise as we require for the supply of our wants of necessity, convenience or luxury.
For an account of the trade, commerce and shipping of the port of Phila- delphia, the reader is referred to the general article on that subject at page 129.
Manufactures .- Philadelphia is distinguished for the variety, extent and excellence of her manufactures. The thousands of fabrics which are pro- duced from her numerous factories and workshops by the skill and enter- prise of her manufacturers and artisans, supply almost every article which can minister to the necessities, conveniences and comforts of civilized man ; and the improvements introduced by the application of scientific principles, happily reduced to mechanical practice by many of our intelligent master workmen and machinists, have given to the mechanic arts of this city a character of eminence and excellence not surpassed by those of any other city in the United States.
The increase in the quantity and value of the various articles manufac- tured from iron, as well as the improvement in their quality and mode of production, has for the last few years been exceedingly rapid : and the multiplication of foundries and work-shops in this extensive and important branch of manufacturing industry, has kept pace with the increasing demand consequent upon the cheapness and excellence of the articles produced. Our numerous and extensive establishments for the manufacture of steam engines and machinery are surpassed by none in the world for the excel- lence of their workmanship, and the beauty, strength and effect of the mighty auxiliaries thus added by human science and skill to the power and industry of man. So eminent is the character of our locomotive steam en- gines, that they are not only sent to most parts of the United States where rail roads have been constructed, but when the traveller in Russia, Austria, and even in England, examines with admiration the locomotive engine which has drawn him with extraordinary velocity and safety over the rail roads of those distant countries, he finds the word Philadelphia engraved upon its side. The value of machinery annually manufactured in Phila- delphia is estimated, by the census returns of 1840, at nearly $1,100,000, which is probably, like many of the other census statements, much below the real amount. The manufactures of hardware and cutlery, according to the same authority, amount annually to $217,445 : of the precious me- tals to $2,651,510 ; of other metals to $876,000.
There are twenty-nine woollen factories, whose annual product is esti- mated at $964,450; and forty-five cotton factories producing annually goods worth $3,157,119; in addition to these are manufactured mixed goods to the yearly amount of $857,820, and 1912 pounds of silk.
The manufacture of hats and caps, straw bonnets, leather, saddlery and harness, boots and shoes, tobacco, soap and candles, glass, drugs and me- dicines, earthenware, furniture, &c., employs a large amount of capital and labour. The products of twelve sugar refineries and a number of es- tablishments for making confectionery amount to more than a million of dollars annually ; the quantity of distilled and fermented liquors to nearly twelve millions of gallons ; and the value of carriages and wagons made in a year to about $300,000. Paper and manufactures from paper are pro- duced in considerable extent and variety. Books are manufactured to a large amount in the numerous printing offices and binderies ; there are 12 daily newspapers, 22 weekly, several semi and tri-weekly papers, besides a number of other periodical publications.
To supply the increasing demand for architectural and ornamental pur- poses, there are many extensive marble and stone cutting establishments, producing work of superior finish and excellence. The neighbourhood of the city abounds in brick clay of the finest quality, from which our nume-
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GEOGRAPHY OF PENNSYLVANIA.
rous brick yards furnish an abundant supply of bricks of the most beautiful and durable character. The number of houses annually erected is about one thousand, at an aggregate cost of upwards of $3,000,000.
The building of ships and vessels is carried on in a style creditable to the naval architecture of Philadelphia ; and there are numerous rope walks for the manufacture of cordage. The United States' navy yard, in the lower part of the city, extends from Front street to the Delaware, being sur- rounded by a brick wall enclosing an area of about twelve acres. It con- tains a number of neat buildings for the accommodation of the officers and marines, work-shops, sheds for storing timber and other necessary supplies for the use of the navy. There are also two immense frame buildings in which ships are built under cover ; one being of sufficient size to contain a vessel of the largest class, the great ship Pennsylvania having been con- structed in it; the other is used for the building of frigates and smaller ves- sels. The large ship house is 273 feet long, 104 feet wide, and 84 feet high.
The operations of the United States' mint are carried on in a handsome marble edifice, erected for the purpose, in Chestnut near Broad street. The exterior architecture of the building is of the Ionic order, and its interior ar- rangement is admirably adapted to the various processes of preparing the metal and stamping the coins. The whole machinery requisite for the va- rious operations of coining is driven by steam power, and is of the most in- genious and perfect construction.
Banks and Insurance companies .- There are fourteen banks in operation within the city and county, with an aggregate capital of nearly $12,000,000; besides a number of saving fund societies, savings' institutions, and loan companies. The marine, fire, life and other insurance companies are up- wards of twenty in number, with a total capital of about $6,000,000.
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