Yesterday in German Township

March 4, 2010

Write to: editor@germantownnewspapers.com

This steam locomotive, pulling commuter coaches in the snow, stands at the Wister Station of the Reading Railroad about 1900. “Yesterday in the German Township” is presented in conjunction with the Germantown Historical Society to give a look back at the way life was once lived in Germantown, Mt. Airy and Chestnut Hill, the old “German Township.”

An example of how our major roads once were: this is a view of Stenton Avenue north of Washington Lane in 1902. “Yesterday in the German Township” is presented in conjunction with the Germantown Historical Society to give a look back at the way life was once lived in Germantown, Mt. Airy and Chestnut Hill, the old “German Township.”

Germantown Ave, Between Gorgas and Mt. Pleasant

These houses stood on the east side of Germantown Avenue between Gorgas Lane and Pleasant Street around 1900. The one on the right is a real estate office; all have been replaced by stores. “Yesterday in the German Township” is presented in conjunction with the Germantown Historical Society to give a look back at the way life was once lived in Germantown, Mt. Airy and Chestnut Hill, the old “German Township.

Wagon Wheel Inn

This view of the northeast corner of Germantown Avenue and Phil-Ellena Street shows that a tavern was there in 1910. Most recently the building was known as the Wagon Wheel Inn. It was torn down after being struck by a police car in the 1990s. Now an office building, Phebe Commons, occupies the site. “Yesterday in the German Township” is presented in conjunction with the Germantown Historical Society to give a look back at the way life was once lived in Germantown, Mt. Airy and Chestnut Hill, the old “German Township.

Market Square

In this view of Market Square on the 5500 block of Germantown Avenue, taken between 1883 and 1888, the Fromberger house is on the right and the Civil War statue is on the left. The church building in the center was the second on the site and was replaced in 1888 by the current building. “Yesterday in the German Township” is presented in conjunction with the Germantown Historical Society to give a look back at the way life was once lived in Germantown, Mt. Airy and Chestnut Hill, the old “German Township.”

Mechlin- Wagner House

The Mechlin-Wagner house at 4830 Germantown Avenue was built in 1747. Shown is the stable which stood behind the house. “Yesterday in the German Township” is presented in conjunction with the Germantown Historical Society to give a look back at the way life was once lived in Germantown, Mt. Airy and Chestnut Hill, the old “German Township.”

Josiah Jones Store

This 1880 photograph shows the Josiah Jones store at the southwest corner of Germantown and Chelten avenues. “Yesterday in the German Township” is presented in conjunction with the Germantown Historical Society to give a look back at the way life was once lived in Germantown, Mt. Airy and Chestnut Hill, the old “German Township.”

The Paul House

The Paul house at 6843 Germantown Avenue is shown in 1900. Today a different building is used as a veterinary hospital. “Yesterday in the German Township” is presented in conjunction with the Germantown Historical Society to give a look back at the way life was once lived in Germantown, Mt. Airy and Chestnut Hill, the old “German Township.”

Jester’s Store

Jester’s store is the first building in this 1893 view of the west side of Germantown Avenue just above Wister’s Meadow. When the city bought the Wister property these buildings were removed for the development of Vernon Park. “Yesterday in the German Township” is presented in conjunction with the Germantown Historical Society to give a look back at the way life was once lived in Germantown, Mt. Airy and Chestnut Hill, the old “German Township.”

Known as the Herman House, this house at 130 West School House Lane was built by David Dove in the 1760s to be used as a school. Prior to this he was headmaster of Germantown Academy for a short time. The building was demolished in the 1920s. “Yesterday in the German Township” is presented in conjunction with the Germantown Historical Society to give a look back at the way life was once lived in Germantown, Mt. Airy and Chestnut Hill, the old “German Township.”

Shown is the Unrod house on the west side of Germantown Avenue in 1900. This is where Pomona Street was opened. “Yesterday in the German Township” is presented in conjunction with the Germantown Historical Society to give a look back at the way life was once lived in Germantown, Mt. Airy and Chestnut Hill, the old “German Township.”

Here is an aerial view of the 300 block of Church Lane taken in the 1950s. Belfield Avenue crosses the photograph at the top right. “Yesterday in the German Township” is presented in conjunction with the Germantown Historical Society to give a look back at the way life was once lived in Germantown, Mt. Airy and Chestnut Hill, the old “German Township.”

Shown is the Highland Hotel in 1900. It stood on the southwest corner of Germantown and Highland avenues in Chestnut Hill. “Yesterday in the German Township” is presented in conjunction with the Germantown Historical Society to give a look back at the way life was once lived in Germantown, Mt. Airy and Chestnut Hill, the old “German Township.”

The Wister spinning mills were started in 1770 along a branch of the Wingohocking Creek, which is now under Belfield Avenue. They were demolished in 1901. “Yesterday in the German Township” is presented in conjunction with the Germantown Historical Society to give a look back at the way life was once lived in Germantown, Mt. Airy and Chestnut Hill, the old “German Township.”

Shown is the northwest corner of Germantown Avenue and Manheim Street in 1905. On the corner is an “operative chemist” store next to a store selling fish and oysters. “Yesterday in the German Township” is presented in conjunction with the Germantown Historical Society to give a look back at the way life was once lived in Germantown, Mt. Airy and Chestnut Hill, the old “German Township.”

Shown is the rear of the Coulter residence which stood on the south side of School House Lane east of Wayne Avenue. “Yesterday in the German Township” is presented in conjunction with the Germantown Historical Society to give a look back at the way life was once lived in Germantown, Mt. Airy and Chestnut Hill, the old “German Township.”

Rittenhousetown Field & Barn, late 1800s.

Shown is a field and barn in Rittenhousetown near the Wissahickon School, probably in the late 1800s. “Yesterday in the German Township” is presented in conjunction with the Germantown Historical Society to give a look back at the way life was once lived in Germantown, Mt. Airy and Chestnut Hill, the old “German Township.”

Reading Railroad Bridge at Ridge & Wissahickon, 1900

Shown in 1900 is the Reading Railroad (at that time) bridge over the entrance to Wissahickon Creek and Wissahickon Drive (now Lincoln Drive) near Ridge Avenue. “Yesterday in the German Township” is presented in conjunction with the Germantown Historical Society to give a look back at the way life was once lived in Germantown, Mt. Airy and Chestnut Hill, the old “German Township.”

Lehman House Barn, 5524 Germantown Avenue

This barn, built in 1756, was in back of the Lehman house at 5524 Germantown Avenue. It was torn down in 1911. “Yesterday in the German Township” is presented in conjunction with the Germantown Historical Society to give a look back at the way life was once lived in Germantown, Mt. Airy and Chestnut Hill, the old “German Township.”

J. Glenn Fling House, 1892 & 2009

This house (seen above left in 1892) on West Penn Street near Greene Street was the residence of J. Glenn Fling, dentist. On the right is how it looks today. “Yesterday in the German Township” is presented in conjunction with the Germantown Historical Society to give a look back at the way life was once lived in Germantown, Mt. Airy and Chestnut Hill, the old “German Township.”

Cope Mill, aka Columbia Mill

Shown is the Cope Mill at 6130 Osceola Street (also known as the Columbia Mill) about 1900. It was a knitting mill operated by T.B. Cope and Bro. The site is now an empty lot. “Yesterday in the German Township” is presented in conjunction with the Germantown Historical Society to give a look back at the way life was once lived in Germantown, Mt. Airy and Chestnut Hill, the old “German Township.”

Baumann Nursery

Shown in 1898 is the greenhouse of the Baumann nursery which was on Pulaski Avenue near Manheim Street. “Yesterday in the German Township” is presented in conjunction with the Germantown Historical Society to give a look back at the way life was once lived in Germantown, Mt. Airy and Chestnut Hill, the old “German Township.”

Charles S. Pancoast House

This house of Charles S. Pancoast at 267 East Johnson Street, shown around 1900, is no longer standing. He was a lawyer and during the Civil War was president of the Germantown Union League. “Yesterday in the German Township” is presented in conjunction with the Germantown Historical Society to give a look back a the way life was once lived in Germantown, Mt. Airy and Chestnut Hill, the old “German township.”

Stewart and Sarah Jellett

These photographs of Stewart and Sarah Jellet were taken in 1898 at the home of Stewart’s brother, Edwin C. Jellett, at 118 Herman Street. “Yesterday in the German Township” is presented in conjunction with the Germantown Historical Society to give a look back a the way life was once lived in Germantown, Mt. Airy and Chestnut Hill, the old “German township.”

Kirk House

Shown is a view of the house of J. Foster Kirk, listed in the city directory as an editor, at High and Morton streets. It is now the Germantown Settlement Mature Adult Center. “Yesterday in the German Township” is presented in conjunction with the Germantown Historical Society to give a look back at he way life was once lived in Germantown, Mt. Airy and Chestnut Hill, the old “German Township.”

Jane Hart House

The house of Miss Jane Hart, shown in 1898, stood on School House Lane (then called School Lane) and Greene Street. “Yesterday in the German Township” is presented in conjunction with the Germantown Historical Society to give a look back at the way life was once lived in Germantown, Mt. Airy and Chestnut Hill, the old “German Township.”