Address plaques painted on the stone columns of the building. Only the address numerals remain visible, the lettering below has been either worn away or removed. Most likely listed the business services or goods offered by the building's occupants.
This one is similar to the Nathan Trotter columns.
3rd and New Streets [map]
Behind a billboard, corner of 2nd and Arch
In 1892, Arthur H. Thomas joined the microscope department of the the James W. Queen Company, a leading supplier of optical and scientific equipment in the 1800's, It is there that he met Mr. J. Edward Patterson, who had joined the company in 1890. After the death of Mr. Queen, the business began to decline, causing many employees to leave for other businesses or to start their own. In 1899, Mr. Thomas left to start his own company and Mr. Patterson joined Charles Lentz & Sons, who were agents for the Bausch & Lomb Optical Company.
Mr. Patterson would often visit Mr. Thomas and cooperation between the companies continued. This eventually led to a landmark meeting on December 7, 1900 at the Hotel Walton in Philadelphia. A new company and partnership was organized and incorporated as the Arthur H. Thomas Company, and the company opened its first place of business in the Freeman building at 12th & Walnut Streets in Philadelphia.
Mr. Thomas passed away in 1942. Mr. Patterson managed the company until his death in 1955. He was succeeded by his son Edward B. Patterson. The third and fourth generation Patterson family members are still actively involved in the company. The company moved to a new seven story headquarters at 3rd & Vine Streets in 1956, on property once owned by the father of Betsy Ross.
In 1983 the company formally changed the name to Thomas Scientific, and in 1984 built a new corporate headquarters in Swedesboro, NJ where they are still in operation.
Orianna Street at Vine Street [map]
Vertical "Charles E. Brown Mfg. Co." at building corner. Dimensional letters in pediment.
Orianna Street at Vine [map]
"Leas and McVitty Incorporated Oak Tanners" over a much more modern painted sign. This office on Vine was the home office for multiple tanneries. The business was in operation from the mid 1800s to the 1960s.
Orianna Street at Vine Street [map]
Orianna Street at Vine Street
"MAO Electrical Supplies Co. Inc.
Industrial Electrical Equipment
Shipping & Receiving"
with
"OFFICE 259 N. Lawrence St." overpainted.
4th and Vine Streets
K. Straus & Co. Leaf Tobacco
Since repainted/modified with new condo logo.
(Original can be seen here)
20th & Oregon Avenue
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.
