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Philadelphia circa 1910. "Girard Trust Bldg., Broad and Chestnut streets." Flanked by the Morris and West End Trust towers. 8x10 glass negative. View full size.
When I worked for Girard Bank the building was known as 1 Girard Plaza, or more simply (and more often) as "The Dome Building." After Mellon bought Girard, it was rechristened 1 Mellon Plaza, but only the folks from Pittsburgh called it that. Locally it was still "The Dome Building." The Ritz people have kept it in fine shape.
What stunning architectural detail these old commercial building have! The Girard building radiates stability and trustworthiness. The taller building on the right is just covered with the richly detailed products of the bricklayer's and stonemason's art. The corbelled chimney is something that you just would not see being built today - where would you find the tradesmen who could execute it?
My usual challenge to "The Shorpy Sleuths" applies here: Can anyone identify the make and model of the old cars in the picture, particularly the "Brass Era" pair on the left side?
But the Pillars are still a good place to hangout.
I love the unsubstantial ghost street cleaner across the street from his very substantial cart.
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