Castner Scrapbook v.19, Disasters, Criminal Prisons 1, page 36
Historical Images of Philadelphia Castner Scrapbook Collection
Item Info
Historic Street Address: Prune Street (today Locust), just below 6th Street
Media Type: Scrapbooks
Source: Print and Picture Collection
Notes:
Item 1, top: Illustration of the Old Debtor's Jail, on the north side of Prune Street (now Locust Street), below 6th Street, in Center City. It was built in 1785. Robert Morris, a financier of the American Revolution, became bankrupt by 1798, and spent three years in this debtor's jail. The sketch is dated 1858, but it is unclear when the jail was closed. Photographic reproduction of an illustration, 21 x 16 cm, 1858.
Item 2, bottom left: Caption reads, "The Burning of Masonic Hall, Philadelphia, March, 9th, 1819." The Masonic Hall, located at 225 Chestnut Street, was built from 1808-1811 and designed by William Strickland in the Gothic Revival style. During a meeting of the masons, a chimney fire spread through the building, destroying the tower and interior. The ruined building was demolished in 1853. This engraving evolved from an original painting by Samuel Jones, then figures were added to the foreground by painter John Lewis Krimmel, and engraver John Hill produced this version for publication. Firefighters are depicted battling the blaze, as a large crowd watches. Reproduction of an 1819 engraving for an unidentified publication, 10.5 x 13 cm, undated.
Item 3, bottom right: Photograph of firemen en route to a fire, pulled by a horse-drawn fire wagon. There is already a group of firefighers on the roof of the Greek Revival building, actively employing a fire hose. A crowd is gathered to watch the spectacle. Although there is no information for this image, the building, the wide cobblestone street, the trolley tracks, the urban location, and the fact that it is part of the Castner Collection--all suggest a late 19th century Philadelphia setting. Photograph, 12.5 x 10 cm, undated.
Creation Year: 1845
Geocode Latitude: Geocode Longitude:-75.144994
Geocode Latitude:39.948681
Call Number: A917.481 P536 v.19
Creator Name: Castner, Samuel, Jr., 1843-1929 - Compiler
John Lewis Krimmel - Artist
Samuel Jones - Artist
John Hill - Engraver
William Strickland - Architect
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