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A Victory for Heroes: The Battle Behind the All Wars Memorial to Colored Soldiers and Sailors
City Life

A Victory for Heroes: The Battle Behind the All Wars Memorial to Colored Soldiers and Sailors

In the 1920s, Black Philadelphians fought city and state agencies to honor African American war veterans with a public monument. Ed Duffy recalls the struggle and triumph

Old Iron Works In Logan Square To Face The Wrecking Ball
Preservation

Old Iron Works In Logan Square To Face The Wrecking Ball

When the housing bubble burst and the recession hit in 2007, plans to convert Creswell Iron Works on Cherry Street into apartments tanked. The quaint collection of industrial buildings is now headed for demolition. Michael Bixler has the details

Writing Machines Made Here
Architecture

Writing Machines Made Here

The Shadow give us a classic example of adaptive reuse from the 1980s, when the residential conversion of an old typewriter factory in Logan Square led to a wave of new development

The Toughest Little Hut In Logan Square
Architecture

The Toughest Little Hut In Logan Square

Development of the lot at 20th and Arch has been cursed since the Kahn Building was demolished in 1929, only 8 years after its construction. Ironically, an easy to miss, colorful little Gulf Oil station has survived at the spot for 85 years–long enough to be placed on the Philadelphia Register. The Shadow serves up a big slice of history on this heartening little hut

A Century Ago, A Series Of Skews And Slants For Streets
History

A Century Ago, A Series Of Skews And Slants For Streets

Harry K. investigates the rationale and planning for Benjamin Franklin Parkway over a century ago, as well as a series of other unrealized diagonal streets that were proposed, in a calculated, efficient way, to add European sophistication and cultural grandeur to the city

The New Life Of The Old Family Court (And Its Murals)
Art & Design

The New Life Of The Old Family Court (And Its Murals)

When the Family Court relocates to its new building on LOVE Park later this year, it will vacate the French-inspired structure on Logan Square it’s called home for over 70 years. Max Ufberg digs in to see what will become of the New Deal-era murals, as well as a looming sculpture of a prominent judge, when the building is reborn as a luxury hotel

Logan Square, Lincoln & The Great Sanitary Fair of 1864
History

Logan Square, Lincoln & The Great Sanitary Fair of 1864

150 years ago, while the Civil War raged, Philadelphians attended the Great Sanitary Fair on Logan Square to support the troops. Harry K takes a look at the event, which raised more than a million dollars and helped pave the way for the Centennial Exposition of 1876

Another Historic Property To Meet Its Maker
Preservation

Another Historic Property To Meet Its Maker

In 2008, PMC Property Group demolished the former St. George’s Hall and the Fernley & Fernley Building at 19th & Arch; last year, they started construction on 1900 Arch, the apartment building rising there now. Christopher Mote reports that PMC has also obtained a demolition permit for the circa-1869 brownstone next door, the Francis McIlvain House


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