Item Info

Item 1, top left:  Captioned "The Narrow Western Channel," this was a western tributary of the Schuylkill River, emptying into the Delaware River near today's Philadelphia International Airport.  Its sheltered passage along the northern shores of Hog Island and Mud Island made it ideal as a route for river trade, manufacturing, shipbuilding, and defense in colonial Philadelphia.  This image appears to depict that period, and although unidentified, the island featured is likely Fort Mifflin. The channel was gradually filled in between the late-1800s and early-1900s, to facilitate better land use and navigation as Philadelphia developed as a major port.  Reproduction of a drawing for an unidentified newspaper, 12 x 6.5 cm, undated. 

Item 2, top right:  Caption reads, "Chester, PA., 16 miles from Philadelphia; population 18,000."  This depiction of the Chester waterfront appears to represent a period c. 1870, before the rapid growth of activity at the port.  A sailboat and a paddle steamer feature prominently in the foreground, with considerable  manufacturing and development on the coast in the background.  The Chester waterfront became a major shipbuilding and iron-producing center, especially with the 1871 founding of the Delaware River Iron Ship Building and Engine Works.  According to census records, the population would have reached 18,000 c. 1885.   Reproduction of an engraving for an unidentified publication, 11 x 5.5 cm, undated.

Item 3, middle left:  Image of the buildings along the banks of Dock Creek, at its mouth (later filled in, becoming Dock Street). The prominent building on the right is the Blue Anchor Tavern, built by George Guest, c.1682. The Blue Anchor was the earliest inn or tavern in Philadelphia. It was here William Penn first ate, upon landing in early Philadelphia.  An anchor can be seen on a sign at the far corner of the tavern. Also depicted are people walking in the area, two gondolas--the one on the right is manned--and a drawbridge on the left.  Lithograph drawn by artist William L. Breton and printed by Barrington & Haswell, 12.25 x 9 cm, undated.

Item 4, middle right: Caption reads, "Philadelphia As Penn First Saw It.  The Blue Anchor Landing."