Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Philadelphia Past and Present: Center City

Center City area has changed quite a bit over the years. I walked the city streets trying to find certain buildings from old photographs. Some were still there, some disappeared completely, without a trace. This is my journey through Center City - from Past to Present.



11th and Sansom St., 1925.

11th and Sansom St., 2007.

The intersection changed completely! What helped me find the spot was the railtracks and the direction of traffic.
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12th and Market St., 1922.

12th and Market St., 2007.

The building in the background did not change. But there is a Hard Rock Cafe in it now!
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2101-2117 Walnut St., 1925.

2101-2117 Walnut St., 2007.

I looked around for a long time trying to find at least some part of the old building, but it is completely different now. If I did not have the exact address, I would not be able to find this place.
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Academy of Music, Broad and Sansom St., 1910.

Academy of Music, Broad and Sansom St., 2007.

This is one of the historic buildings that stayed the same.
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The Bellevue, Broad and Walnut St., 1937.


The Bellevue, Broad and Walnut St., 2007.

Seventy years did not change the building!
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Market St. from City Hall, 1911.

Market St. from City Hall, 2007.

Although the City Hall stayed the same, the view of Market St. has changed drastically. Modern skyscrapers line Market St. in 2007.
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Entrance to Rittenhouse Park, 1978.

Entrance to Rittenhouse Park, 2007.
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Italian Market, 1950s.

Italian Market, 2007.

Modern cars certainly look different!
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Rittenhouse Park, 1978.

Rittenhouse Park, 2007.
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15th and Sansom St., 1953.


15th and Sansom St., 2007.
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