Historic Architecture in North Philadelphia

Historic Architecture in North Philadelphia A humble tribute to the magnificently artful architecture of North Philadelphia.

Between Dauphin and York Streets on Park Avenue, there lies an enclave of eclectic high Victorian rowhouses. The street ...
02/10/2019

Between Dauphin and York Streets on Park Avenue, there lies an enclave of eclectic high Victorian rowhouses. The street is wide, and the homes encompass elements of Venetian Gothic and Flemish/Germanic Revival. Between Susquehanna and Dauphin, the rows are the simpler, yet equally elegant, Federal Revival. A front porch-lined Avenue is a rare gem in North Central Philadelphia. (Between Susquehanna and York, including some views of Watts Street, 2/10/18)

On this , we will be honoring Nicetown-Tioga’s Erie Avenue. This wide, former trolley-lined street was named in honor o...
01/17/2019

On this , we will be honoring Nicetown-Tioga’s Erie Avenue. This wide, former trolley-lined street was named in honor of Erie County, and saw substantial development in the early 20th century. Erie features a unique mix of architectural styles, from Flemish Revival fused with Victorian Romanesque, Moorish, and Gothic aspects. This front porch lined avenue is one of the many aesthetic gems in this part of the city, and though some houses have been converted to businesses, most stand, proudly retaining their character. From the Richard M. Skalar Postcard collection at the Athenaeum of Philadelphia comes these two photos- a depiction of Erie at 15th Street along with a second 1907 photograph of a regal Georgian Revival twin!

We’re starting up this with a spotlight on some beautiful homes in the vicinity of 15th Street, between Norris and Dia...
01/16/2019

We’re starting up this with a spotlight on some beautiful homes in the vicinity of 15th Street, between Norris and Diamond, with these fine homes! The first two pictures display the 2001 block of N 15th St- statuesque Victorian Romanesque rows with variations rooflines that add a touch of distinctive elegance to the area! Turn around on the next two pictures, and walk a block west on Page Street, so see some lovely two story rows with touches of Flemish influence! Appreciate the beauty around you in !

Happy Friday everyone! Today, let’s appreciate beauty, and take a second to respect what remains by looking at what stoo...
12/07/2018

Happy Friday everyone! Today, let’s appreciate beauty, and take a second to respect what remains by looking at what stood some 92 years ago! If you happy to be in North Central, look south on Broad between the Montgomery Avenue and Berks Street, just past the Grace Baptist Temple! Let’s give some present day context- at Broad, Berks is known today as Polett Walk, and the Baptist Temple is known as the Temple Performing Arts Center. As this photo from August 17th, 1926 of workers laying the Belgian Block on Broad reveals, we’ve lost a lot of fine architecture in North Central. Gone are The Betz Opera House and the Keneseth Israel Temple, respectively to the right and left past Montgomery. The only recognizable structure is Conwell Hall.

What do you remember and love about North Central?

(Photo from City of Philadelphia, Department of Records)

At 18th and Diamond Streets sits one of the many distinctive churches in North Philadelphia- The George W. South Church ...
12/04/2018

At 18th and Diamond Streets sits one of the many distinctive churches in North Philadelphia- The George W. South Church of the Advocate. Designed by Philadelphia artist and architect Charles Marquedant Burns, construction began in 1887 and completed in 1897. The Church of the Advocate is features stained glass windows from the English firm of Clayton and Bell and a unique courtyard area, truly making it a superb example of Gothic Revival architecture. Enjoy some unique angles of the church, featuring stonework and French influenced design.

What better way to start a Friday than looking at some beautiful angles of the Uptown Theater’s interior? The Uptown The...
11/02/2018

What better way to start a Friday than looking at some beautiful angles of the Uptown Theater’s interior?
The Uptown Theater, between Susquehanna and Dauphin on North Broad, was opened specifically to screen the “talkies” in 1929. In the mid to latter half of the 20th century, it gained new fame as a venue for soul and R&B performances, along with some notable comedians. Today, the Uptown remains not only a landmark of African-American culture, but as one of the last remaining movie palaces in the city of Philadelphia.
Included are some shots of the theater house, the mezzanine level, and some miscellaneous including dressing rooms and other architectural details. One will note the original tile in the bathrooms, along with the marble stall dividers.
IF you care to get to the end, you’ll see the original subway entrance- that’s right! The Uptown is among a few rare buildings that once had direct subway access, which is evidenced by the original classic Philadelphia Susquehanna-Dauphin subway tiles.
The last picture is the theater as it looked in 1929.
If you’d like to learn more, please visit the Uptown’s site directly, and support some amazing folks doing their utmost to save this amazing landmark!
https://philadelphiauptowntheater.org
AND if you’d like to see more general history, do a google search, and check out the beauty yourself!

A sad day for North Broad, as the last remaining Art Deco structure burns. Hoping that the flames will soon be extinguis...
03/29/2018

A sad day for North Broad, as the last remaining Art Deco structure burns. Hoping that the flames will soon be extinguished, that no one was harmed, and that we will soon learn more.

The 2000 Block of North Broad Street is comprised of an interesting mixture of styles, ranging from High Gothic to Aesth...
03/02/2018

The 2000 Block of North Broad Street is comprised of an interesting mixture of styles, ranging from High Gothic to Aesthetic Movement influences to Romanesque and Italianate. At the corner of Norris and Broad stands the Willis G. Hale designed Stafford mansion, which was constructed in 1895 for local business man, John Stafford. The house is attached to two brownstones, which break off into several uniquely stylized Gothic twins. One of these, 2020 N Broad, was once home to famous orator and founder of Temple University, Rev. Russell H. Conwell.

Houses along Diamond Street, between 18th and Carlisle, mostly constructed between 1890 and 1900. Some date back as far ...
02/12/2018

Houses along Diamond Street, between 18th and Carlisle, mostly constructed between 1890 and 1900. Some date back as far as 1875. The northwest corner of 18th and Diamond is capped by The Church of the Advocate, finished in 1897, which was initially supposed to serve as the Episcopal Cathedral of Philadelphia.

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