Quick confession: writing about Philly can sometimes be intimidating if you’re not from around here.
When a city is so cherished by its people (no matter what some Philly.com commenters may say), understanding it and telling its story can be a risky endeavor. It’s also a process.
That’s why I keep going back to this post from 2013, chock full of rich images of old Philadelphia. Sure, it’s great to see Market or Broad Street or they were 50, 60 or 100 years ago, but my favorite shots are the ones with people in them. It’s reassuring to know that so many people from all walks of life have come and gone, and helped make Philly what it is today.
Since lead reporter emeritus Juliana Reyes wrote about Facebook group Old Images of Philadelphia, it has evolved into a Page and went from its already impressive 48,000 members to its current 202,000 likes.
“To be loved and appreciated by so many other websites is awesome,” the page’s administrators wrote in a post over the weekend sharing our 2013 story. “Thank you from Philadelphia’s first and largest group page, Old Images of Philadelphia.”
In honor of the landmark, we’re taking another look at the page’s database of over 20,000 cool pics of old Philly. Here are our 10 favorite shots:
Captioned: “View of motorists in a 1905 White Steamer car posing in front of George Washington monument at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Handwritten on back: White Steamer, 1905.”
Captioned: “Inductees outside the Armory on way to train station to have physical exams in Philadelphia, 1942”
Captioned: “The Budco Goldman Theatre @ 30 S. 15th Street, Center City, Philadelphia in 1983.”
Captioned: “Members of the Philadelphia Municipal Workers Union protesting the layoff of 264 Men and wage cut of 31 percent, Philadelphia, PA, 1938.”
Captioned: “Groups of young Japanese Americans who had been relocated to Philadelphia from the West Coast raised more than $200 for the Red Cross War Fund. They held a dance at the International Institute 1320 Walnut Street. March 29, 1945.”
Captioned: “The last train to leave Broad Street Station in 1952.”
Captioned: “Wilt Chamberlain palming two basketballs at Overbrook High School, Philadelphia PA, 1955.”
Captioned: “Programmers Betty Jennings and Frances Bilas (right) arranging the program settings on the ENIAC’s main control panel, Moore School of Engineering, Philadelphia, PA, 1946.”
Captioned: “The view on South Broad Street towards City Hall in 1929.”
Captioned: “Market Street, looking west from 8th Street towards City Hall, circa 1904.”
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