Abstract

Partial set of preliminary topographic surveys used as the basis for Fairmount Park construction plans and maps.

Abstract In the early part of the nineteenth century, Philadelphia City Council took action to protect the purity of public water. This involved the acquisition of property on the banks of the Schuylkill River in order to eliminate polluting waste that had previously been generated by various industrial sites along the river. The City’s newly acquired property was dedicated to the health and enjoyment of the citizens of Philadelphia, and became known as Fairmount Park. The Fairmount Park Commission...

Scope and Contents note From the Collection: This collection contains various materials that document the history of the Fairmount Park, and subsequently the history of the activities of the Fairmount Park Commission. The collection also includes a good deal of contextual information, such as information on the early history of Philadelphia and its surrounding area. This collection demonstrates at once the autonomy of the Fairmount Park Commission and its integral role in the evolution of Philadelphia’s urban landscape. The...

Abstract Items in this collection relate to East and West Fairmount Park, the original components of what has become the vast Fairmount Park system. Unique in its composition, these areas not only contain naturalist landscapes, but they are also home to a truly diverse set of historic and functional structures. In addition to a vast trail system and traditional recreational facilities (such as swimming pools and baseball diamonds), these parks are also home to an array of 18th and 19th century...