Historic Sites – Page 1

Dobson Back-to-Back Houses

3424-3416 W Westmoreland Street [click for Google Map]

Nominated for Philadelphia Register of Historic Places

Three stone structures built by textile manufacturer John   Dobson in 1890-91 on a disconnected segment of W. Westmoreland Street in the   East Falls/West Allegheny neighborhood, also known as “Paradise.” John Dobson   was founder and co-owner of what was considered the largest single textile   manufacturing complex in Philadelphia (possibly in the nation), known for its   variety of fine products, including blankets for the Union Army, and its   nationally-known carpets. He became as well a major property owner in Philadelphia   and one of the city’s wealthiest men. The resources here nominated were built   as “back-to-back” houses (though later modified) and display a distinctive appearance:   “blocky” and solid, with varying application of a heavy stone cladding. These   structures, built for mill workers, have visually helped define a   little-known enclave within the city since 1890, and merit recognition. 

 Click here for Philadelphia Register of Historic Places Nomination

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The Falls Bridge

[Click here for map]

Philadelphia Register of Historic Places

The Falls Bridge was built in 1895 to be strong and heavy, because predecessors going back to the early nineteenth century repeatedly were blown or washed away. A proposed upper deck was never implemented: it was intended to connect the high grounds on both sides of the Schuylkill and to support a streetcar line. Although we think of the Bridge as connecting the Schuylkill River drives, a crossing at Falls of Schuylkill did more: it served as a conduit of goods and people from Philadelphia, Germantown, and the Falls to industry on the west bank, and well beyond to the west. The Bridge is 540 feet long in three spans and 40 feet wide. It is a modified Pratt “Through Truss” designed by city engineer George Webster, and built by Filbert, Porter and Company. 

Falls Bridge motifs appear in the logos of many community businesses and organizations:

Click here for “The Falls Bridge: Structure and History,” by Justin M. Spivey (video)
Click here for Historic American Engineering Survey
Click here for nomination to Philadelphia Register of Historic Places (PDF)

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Falls of Schuylkill Baptist Church

3631 Indian Queen Lane [Click here for map]

The Falls of Schuylkill Baptist Church was formally constituted on Thursday, June 7, 1838 with 10 members. For the first 13 years the group met at the Old Academy. In 1851 the foundation for the church at 3631 Indian Queen Lane was laid. On December 5,1852, the entire completed building was formally dedicated for worship. The new part of the church facing Midvale Avenue was dedicated on December 12, 1929. The parsonage on Indian Queen Lane was loaned to the church by Doctor Horace Evans. About 1837 he had the third floor added. At his passing, the parsonage was willed to the church. The Reverend Mark R. Watkinson, the first regular appointed pastor of the church was responsible for the having the religious motto, “In God We Trust” placed on our currency.  The original church was designed in a classical style with a Romanesque entrance and elaborate steeple. It is now much altered.

For more photos, see: Church Photos

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Gothic Revival Cottage

Coulter   and Stokely Sts. [Click here for map]

Philadelphia Register of Historic Places

This small stone cottage formerly faced the now extinct Cherry Lane that ran parallel to School House Lane. By style and other information, it is from the period 1850 – 1860, and was originally very likely a gardener’s or farmer’s cottage.

Click here for  Philadelphia Register of Historic Places Nomination (PDF)

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