Philly P.O.: 1900

This building was replaced by the current post office building shown in street view on the northwest corner of 9th and Chestnut, which was constructed in 1934.

I'm always interested in the early street lamps, the one on the far right looks like what I think they called an arc lamp.

I'm sure this structure no longer exists, but what stands on its site today, at 9th and Chestnut? The present main post office is right across Broad Street at 30th from the beautifully restored railroad station, and catercorner to the site of the old Philadelphia Bulletin.

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The cozy plaid horse blanket is nice, but what I really like is the group hug happening in front of Ben Franklin's statue.

I think that is the Philadelphia Record building on the left. Moe Annenburg, father of Walter Annenberg, was a vicious opponent of FDR. He bought the Philadelphia Inquirer and did battle with the Record, which supported Roosevelt. Former Record newsmen from that era said they were issued guns to fight Annenberg's goons, who were veterans of the violent Chicago Newspaper Circulation wars. In the event, the Roosevelt people indicted Annenberg for tax evasion, just like they had Capone. He spent three years in jail and then died. His son, Walter, rebuilt the Inquirer and became the Ambassador to the Court of St. James's under Nixon. The Record folded in 1947.

Postcard view here from nearly the same angle:

I came across your website through the Bowery Boys. I've been having fun for hours here! Thanks.

Amazing what you can build with unlimited money.... what a magnificent government pile. Hope the streetcar doesn't run up the back of the draw wagon.

One of the things I have noticed in the pictures from the early part of the 20th Century is the abundance of American flags. They seem to be everywhere. In this picture I spot three poles on the Post Office building but only one flag. Way down the street on the right appears to be another. Just sort of unusual, it seems, for an era that was so proudly nationalist. Wish it was still true.