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Wayne Avenue: 1908

Philadelphia circa 1908. "Germantown -- Wayne Avenue." With, for all we know, Wayne himself. 8x10 inch glass negative, Detroit Publishing Co. View full size.

Philadelphia circa 1908. "Germantown -- Wayne Avenue." With, for all we know, Wayne himself. 8x10 inch glass negative, Detroit Publishing Co. View full size.

 

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Chicken wire?

I enjoy the detail captured in this photo. Each time I look more is revealed. The mail carrier down the side-walk. The granite slab curbs. Anybody have a idea about the purpose of the chicken wire on the maple tree?

For want of a time machine

And a PRT token to take a relaxing ride on the #53 trolley up stately Wayne Ave.

In just 3 years, in 1911, the riding public along Wayne Avenue should begin to be riding on the "latest thing" in comfortable and speedy public transportation, the Near-side car.

Then again in 1938, the Wayne Avenue trolley line would be the first in the city to utilize the new PCC streetcars, of which many of us consider the best urban mass transportation vehicle ever produced.

Interrupting the quiet

The 5100 block of Wayne Ave. did have trolley cars in 1908, but they may still have been the open summer variety this time of year.

Where are the leaf blower guys?

The streets were rather quiet in those days, I think. The passing of coaches, wagons, the clip clop of the horses were part of the daily rhythm.

Kids would likely run up and down the street yelling and having fun.

People walking by could think their thoughts in peace.

You could hear a piano or people singing in their parlor on any given evening.

A horseless carriage showed up now and then to disrupt the quiet. That was just a sign of what was to come.

And the leaves...someone raked them up, I suppose. Remember rakes?

I found the street address

The shingle roof and stone house on the left is located at 5128 Wayne Ave. It is now the Sally Watson Center, a Child Care Center. It was built in 1889. The architect was Wilson Eyre. In this picture a corner of the next house can be seen:


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