On August 9, the Philadelphia Historical Commission approved the designation of a firehouse in Francisville, a church in Germantown, an early filmmaking studio in North Philadelphia, and the residence of a prominent African-American community leader in Mt. Airy.
Beginning in the late 1800s, Sharpnack Street was once the center of the African American community in East Mt. Airy. The house at 106 E. Sharpnack Street, constructed in the 1850s, is one of the oldest buildings still standing on the street and represents the early development of the immediate area. As the one-time home of Hattie Hill Huckabee, and its later use by the Douglas Political Club, the home represents the political, social, and historical heritage of African Americans in the neighborhood.
The former home of African American educator and leader Hattie Hill Huckabee in Mt. Airy. | Photo: Michael Bixler
After a career in education in Alabama, Huckabee moved to Philadelphia with her husband in around 1921, subsequently founding community organizations in East Mt. Airy, including the Douglas Political Club and the Women’s Civic and Welfare Club of the 22nd Ward in Germantown.
A second designation was reviewed for St. Stephen’s Methodist Episcopal Church of Germantown and Burial Ground at 5209-13 Germantown Avenue, reflecting the cultural, economic, and social history of the community owing to its legacy as a place of public and religious gatherings as well as its distinctive architectural style. The Historical Commission also found the the church’s former burial ground and its large area of undeveloped land have the potential to yield archaeological resources. The three-story parsonage on the property was individually designated in 1957. When the second nomination was reviewed by the Historical Commission’s Committee on Historic Designation, the property owner opposed it, citing financial concerns. They have since put the entire parcel up for sale.
Engine Company 13 at 1517 Parrish Street. | Photo: Michael Bixler
Engine 13 Firehouse at 1517-19 Parrish Street was placed on the local register for legal protections amid Francisville’s ongoing construction boom. The ornate, Beaux Arts landmark was built in 1901 as part of the Philadelphia Fire Department’s effort to modernize its citywide stations. t was designed by Philip H. Johnson, who served as the architect for the Philadelphia City Department of Public Health. In that position he also designed a number of hospitals, libraries, recreation centers, and municipal buildings.
The Siegmund Lubin House, second building from the right, in North Philadelphia. | Photo: Michael Bixler
The final nomination reviewed was the Siegmund Lubin House at 1608 N. 15th Street. The three-story brick rowhouse with its prominent Italianate cornice served as Lubin’s primary workplace and studio from 1897 until 1899. Lubin was an important early motion picture pioneer and became an international figure in filmmaking, equipment manufacturing, and exhibition. His work contributed to the role that Philadelphia, and in particular, North Philadelphia, played in the early history of filmmaking.
1108 S. Front Street in Pennsport. | Photo: Michael Bixler
The Historical Commission also declined to legalize an addition and roof deck on an early 19th century rowhouse at 1108 S. Front Street that had been designated historic in 1965. The addition was constructed without the Historical Commission’s review or a building permit. Despite receiving a Stop Work Order from the Department of Licenses and Inspection in February, the construction project continued. An earlier application for legalization was denied by the Historical Commission’s Architectural Committee. At this month’s meeting the applicant proposed removing the home’s new roof deck and pilot house. The Historical Commission denied approval again, owing to the massing of the addition and its vinyl cladding, which are visible from the street.
