George Young & Co.

20th & Oregon Avenue

Trotters Alley

"B. SCHAPIRO & BRO."
What seems to be spools of thread below (?)


"DELIVERIES" with arrow
On the opposite wall of the blue brick alley

Trotters Alley, 3rd at Filbert Street [map]

Unsure of authenticity, may have been painted for the movie "Beloved." Both signs are clearly visible in two scenes in the movie. The location is the alley that leads to Oprah Winfrey's character Sethe's back door entrance to her job in Cincinnati. Period-correct signage, even simulated ghost signs, painted specifically for movies or TV shows, are not all that uncommon.


However, in this photo taken in 1929, you can see some signage on the inside of the alleyway.

PhillyHistory.org. Philadelphia Department of Records. 27 November 2007. <http://www.phillyhistory.org>.

KLOSFIT Petticoat

"KLOSFIT Petticoat"
"...without any wrinkles..."
(more printed KLOSFIT ads here)


Seen here in a photo dated 1976. 

PhillyHistory.org. Philadelphia Department of Records. 27 November 2007. <http://www.phillyhistory.org>.

314 Arch Street [map]

Stencil Machines and Scales

"IDEAL Stencil Machines"
"TRINER Scales"
Vertical column "The W. H. ALEXANDER Co."





Same building in 1959, 1977 and 1984, respectively.


The companies behind brand names continue in some form - Triner still manufactures scales, and IDEAL lives on as U-Mark. Sadly, I  am unable to find out anything about The W. H. ALEXANDER Co.

PhillyHistory.org. Philadelphia Department of Records. 27 November 2007. <http://www.phillyhistory.org>.

Arch at Mascher Street

John A. Roebling’s Sons Co.

Large, barely legible sign.



Other views, 1977. From these, I can discern the top line "John A. Roebling’s Sons Co."

John Augustus Roebling (1806 – 1869) was a German-born American civil engineer. He is famous for his wire rope suspension bridge designs, in particular, the design of the Brooklyn Bridge. He operated wire rope and cable plants in Trenton and Roebling, New Jersey. Unknown if this building was somehow connected to the business or just an advertising space.


Same sign in 1964, upper left corner, slightly more legible. I can make out:
"...PRODUCTS.
...NEW JERSEY ... CO.
WIRE CLOTH ... NETTING"


Here, you can see it peeking in the upper left corner.
Unknown date.


And here, you can just see it peeking in the upper right corner, taken 1935.


Another view, mid-80s?

PhillyHistory.org. Philadelphia Department of Records. 27 November 2007. <http://www.phillyhistory.org>.

Arch between 2nd and 3rd.

Trenton China Pottery Co.

Trenton China Pottery Co.
More modern, but at risk of disappearing
(as did their other ads on the building directly across the street)

UPDATE - Some earlier photographs, this one from 1976 (far left):


... and this one from 1978 (far left):




Letters within the arrow from the sign on the warehouse building (seen at below in 1971) are beginning to reappear. You can start to make out "Office and Salesroom ... St." 





PhillyHistory.org. Philadelphia Department of Records. 10 June 2010. <http://www.phillyhistory.org>.

2nd and Arch Streets

Girard Estate Warehouses - Robert Latimer

"24 Robert (?) Latimer" on facade.



The historic Girard Estate Warehouses in Old City, which looked to be on the brink of collapse in the early 2000s, have been renovated into luxury apartments. The warehouses, at Front and Church Streets, represent the final remnant of the city's commercial seafaring past and constitute a rare intact historic block near the Delaware River.


The estate of shipping magnate Stephen Girard had built the warehouses in the late 1820s to early 1830s to store imported goods arriving at the Delaware River docks. The properties were listed on the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places in 1977. The city Historical Commission classified them as “significant” resources in 2003. They are also listed on the National Register of Historic Places and are included in the federal government’s Historic American Buildings Survey.

20 to 30 N. Front Street [map]

Nathan Trotter

"Nathan Trotter & Co. Metals"
"Pig Tin, Pig Lead, Slab Zinc"



The son of middle class Quaker parents in Colonial Philadelphia, Nathan Trotter was born into a family of craftsmen and entrepreneurs. His uncles and brothers were well-respected cabinetmakers, merchants, and bankers. Nathan founded his namesake metal-importing company on the banks of the Delaware River in 1789, providing tin to Colonial craftspeople who turned it into pewter.


In the 200 years since its founding, Nathan Trotter & Co., Inc. has evolved into the largest manufacturer of tin and tin alloys in North America. They remain in business to this day.

North Front between Cuthbert and Church Streets [map]

Frank W. Winnie & Son Cordage

Building #34 still has visible street-level signage.



A few doors down at the corner of Front and Cuthbert, the building has been rehabbed, facade cleaned/repointed, and only trace signage remains. But you can still read "Frank W. Winnie & Son, Cordage, Tape Wire". Here's what the facade used to look like before.


Frank W. Winne & Son, Inc. is the nation's largest manufacturer, importer, and distributor of ropes, tapes, twines, safety supplies, rubber products, agricultural and packaging products. Still in business: www.frankwinne.com

34 North Front Street [map]