I've loved Before and After photos since I was very young. Phila.'s my local big city so this was a real treat. I'm 63 now, but the week I turned 16 I got my driver's license and bought a 1963 Chevy Nova for $300. I drove to the local station and took the train into the city just about every weekend by myself via Reading Terminal. I went to the great museums on a rotating basis. My high school boyfriend (now husband!) and I still love the changing city; we're Barnes Foundation members, and that collection is beautifully situated in its new home on the Parkway. Thank you for all the work you put into this project!
I would tend to argue your point about the Barnes Foundation’s collection. However, that would entail a complex, layered discussion and need the people involved to be able and willing to “put the shoe on the other foot”
A job well done sir. It was wonderful to see the photos side by side. It really added a lot to the presentation. Thank you very much for a very enjoyable afternoon.
Thank you for producing this Craig! My daughter and her family live in Race Street and we just moved here permanently from Maryland and live in Vine Street. I’m learning a lot about the area but then and now pictures are priceless!
Thanks for sharing, love your ArT! I've been a Philly Tour Guide/Carriage Driver most of my days, and for me, there's nothing better than the clip clip of your 🐎/partner's hooves along the streets of Philadelphia on a Sunday morning while the city still sleeps. It is bliss, and I'm truly grateful. #PhillyFreedom
I’ve most likely seen you and maybe even have photographed you as I have many clips of the carriages as they negotiate around the old city streets. Thanks for watching and sharing your comment.
Mr. Spedden, thank you for these wonderful scenes of then and now. It is amazing to see places that I've walked by or visited in my life time that are still there. Also, seeing where the railroad building that is no longer (corner of 15th & Market Street) there is now a bank on that corner that I've been at many times. I don't care if the dates aren't exact because then they didn't see the need to record everything as is or while things were happening. You've captured the most important thing about parts of Philadelphia's history. At seventy-two it is refreshing to see and remember the old and new ways that everything has changed. Sometimes you don't realize how much has changed until you see photos like these. Thank you again for my trip down memory lane.
Very true. But by the late 1930s, Victorian architecture was looked upon as being old, antiquated, spooky, and undesirable, as many buildings had fallen into disrepair by then, and that remained the attitude through around 1960. Many Victorian buildings were lost during this time period and many were structurally modernized to hide their Victorian looks. Fortunately society’s attitudes have changed.
Being a home-grown boy from South Philly, I can only add to the accolades expressed by previous viewers. I am almost painfully nostalgic and I love these you tube videos that transport me back to a time long past compared to current days. In many scenes, there is nothing left compared to now and it's fascinating to view all the folks in the many scenes and wonder....what were their stories like and what became of them.......
Very important to teach kids today to take care of the things that once was...... This is great, Priceless !!! Time is something that you can't buy or borrow, always moving to never stay the same.
Thank you so much for sharing how the city of Philadelphia looked like back in time. I had always been curious about what the city looked like back then since I had always lived all my life in Philadelphia. It was truly amazing to see those pictures
Thank you for your time in this story of the evolution of the city of Philadelphia. I live in the N.E. part of the city but spent a lot of time in center city. Thank you
Since the Union League is one of the wealthiest organizations in the country, I think that they can afford the security required to prevent theft of their banister railings. I believe it would be easier to rob a bank than to steal from the Union League. Just ask Winthorp about "Mr. Beeks.” (Trading Places theft scene filmed inside the Union League)
@@craigsped I just watched a video of the filming locations of Trading Places and it looks like the theft scene was recorded in two locations, the exterior at the Curtis Institute of Music on Locust St. and the interior at the Chamber of Commerce building in NYC. The Union League Building was not used. From 3:24 - 9:28 ua-cam.com/video/vb9yVLzT3uk/v-deo.html
Sometimes the exact dates are not recorded on the photos. In those cases you may find the date listed as “circa” or approximate. If I find any obvious mistakes I’ll try to amend them in the video description as it is too late to amend the video itself after publishing. Thanks for watching and commenting.
The photo at 11 seconds shows a completed City Hall in circa 1885. Not possible. The accurate photo at 2:05 shows City Hall under construction. (It took thirty years to complete.)
It would be great to see similar images but from the 1950s, when I was a child poking around the historic areas of Philadelphia. Since the renovations in the 80s (?) when the area was turned into a "national park" all the old factories, homes, and stores that crowded the historic buildings have been cleared away, giving the whole area a feeling of an outdoor museum rather than the vibrant city that accommodated commerce and homes side by side. And can it be a good thing that Elsfreth Alley is home to the wealthy rather than the poor and working classes that lived there in the past.
In part 3 , I used some images of the old city area from the 50s. Also, if you watch the Route 66 episode, “The Thin White Line” which was shot in Philly in 1961, you can see some of the old city changes from then. Including Buzz’s (Martin Milner) confrontation with a Hot Dog vendor at 2nd and Market Street. Thanks for your comment.
I really hate to see open space and older architecture replaced by apartment or office towers. It makes a city resemble the backdrop of a "space opera". The more urban this planet becomes, the more we become ants in an anthill.
Its amazing how much the city evolved over the century, Its crazy to think that factories were right in t heart of the city. the Pollution must have been horrible
Can you show a picture of where the old St. Alphonsus was in Philadelphia? My Great-Great-Grandmother was baptized in the then new building in December 1855 or early January 1856. I know the St Alphonsus there now is a new place in a different location.
Maybe this can help. I could only find this lithograph. The location of the church is in the description. digital.librarycompany.org/islandora/object/digitool%3A64465
@@craigsped Thank you. I've had this lithograph for a while . I was just wondering if there is a picture of that area now days. After my Great-Great-Grandmother was born in 1855, my Great-Great-Great-Grandfather moved the family to Chicago. He was a professor of music and played for the Academy of Music that is in Philadelphia. He was originally a professor of music at Charles University in Prague. In Chicago, he opened his own music studio in 1860.
There were no trolley cars in 1885 in Philadelphia, these trolleys that we see would be around 1905. In 1885 there were only horse drawn streetcars in Philadelphia.
I believe that Philadelphia used cable cars on Market Street in the 1880s. If you look closely you can find no trolley pole or wires. www.phillytrolley.org/Phila_trolley_history_1924/Phila_trolley_history_1924.html
I really like how you show the pics side by side at the end, gives a much better perspective
I've loved Before and After photos since I was very young. Phila.'s my local big city so this was a real treat. I'm 63 now, but the week I turned 16 I got my driver's license and bought a 1963 Chevy Nova for $300. I drove to the local station and took the train into the city just about every weekend by myself via Reading Terminal. I went to the great museums on a rotating basis. My high school boyfriend (now husband!) and I still love the changing city; we're Barnes Foundation members, and that collection is beautifully situated in its new home on the Parkway. Thank you for all the work you put into this project!
I would tend to argue your point about the Barnes Foundation’s collection. However, that would entail a complex, layered discussion and need the people involved to be able and willing to “put the shoe on the other foot”
Life is so funny. Yesterday I was wondering where the Barnes Foundation was. Lol.
No one cares.
Astonishing Time Travel; made my heart pound. I was born in Philadelphia. Nice touch showing them side-by-side…I am 80.
Iam 84 born in Philadelphia
A job well done sir. It was wonderful to see the photos side by side. It really added a lot to the presentation. Thank you very much for a very enjoyable afternoon.
Thank you for producing this Craig! My daughter and her family live in Race Street and we just moved here permanently from Maryland and live in Vine Street. I’m learning a lot about the area but then and now pictures are priceless!
Thanks for sharing, love your ArT! I've been a Philly Tour Guide/Carriage Driver most of my days, and for me, there's nothing better than the clip clip of your 🐎/partner's hooves along the streets of Philadelphia on a Sunday morning while the city still sleeps. It is bliss, and I'm truly grateful. #PhillyFreedom
I’ve most likely seen you and maybe even have photographed you as I have many clips of the carriages as they negotiate around the old city streets. Thanks for watching and sharing your comment.
Mr. Spedden, thank you for these wonderful scenes of then and now. It is amazing to see places that I've walked by or visited in my life time that are still there. Also, seeing where the railroad building that is no longer (corner of 15th & Market Street) there is now a bank on that corner that I've been at many times. I don't care if the dates aren't exact because then they didn't see the need to record everything as is or while things were happening. You've captured the most important thing about parts of Philadelphia's history. At seventy-two it is refreshing to see and remember the old and new ways that everything has changed. Sometimes you don't realize how much has changed until you see photos like these. Thank you again for my trip down memory lane.
Thank you for putting this together. I enjoyed the before and after.
The biggest loss from both of your videos was the Broad Street Station. What a magnificent building it was.
Very true. But by the late 1930s, Victorian architecture was looked upon as being old, antiquated, spooky, and undesirable, as many buildings had fallen into disrepair by then, and that remained the attitude through around 1960. Many Victorian buildings were lost during this time period and many were structurally modernized to hide their Victorian looks. Fortunately society’s attitudes have changed.
Beautiful job compiling, comparing, contrasting, thank you for the great job you've done.😁
i work at city hall and i love seeing old pictures of this cool building
This is fabulous. Thank you so much for putting this together
It may be just my opinion, but the buildings in the older photos look so much larger and imposing than they do in photos of the present
They were, its just when taller buildings were built around those old buildings it dwarfed them.
Outstanding, thank you!
Being a home-grown boy from South Philly, I can only add to the accolades expressed by previous viewers. I am almost painfully nostalgic and I love these you tube videos that transport me back to a time long past compared to current days. In many scenes, there is nothing left compared to now and it's fascinating to view all the folks in the many scenes and wonder....what were their stories like and what became of them.......
Great project you did! hope to see more!
Love it. Hopefully you will do more of these videos.
Nicely done. Thanks.
Very important to teach kids today to take care of the things that once was...... This is great, Priceless !!! Time is something that you can't buy or borrow, always moving to never stay the same.
Thank you so much for sharing how the city of Philadelphia looked like back in time. I had always been curious about what the city looked like back then since I had always lived all my life in Philadelphia. It was truly amazing to see those pictures
excellent pics, growing up in Philly I loved walking around old city
Thanks for the side by side view. Very nice #1 & 2.
Thank you Craig !! ..excellent work !
Thank you for your time in this story of the evolution of the city of Philadelphia. I live in the N.E. part of the city but spent a lot of time in center city.
Thank you
Great pics! Thanks for sharing!!
Great video.
I'm enthusiastic about the way several landmark buildings have been preserved. I remember center city being very vibrant.
That Broad st station was an incredible piece of architecture taken down to build a glass box
Beautiful. Thank you.
The LIT Brothers!
Great job, loved the video.
These are very good.
Getting caught up on all your videos
Thank you for the Music!
THANK YOU SIR FOR SHARING GREAT PICTURE OF PHILADELPHIA PA FISHTOWN ROBBIE
YOU ARE VERY MUCH THANKFUL. TOLD FRIENDS ABOUT YOU THEY SAY THE SAME ENJOY THE REST OF THE WEEKEND ROBBIE PHILADELPHIA PA
Love part 2..yayyy please do more cities
Do you have pictures from the 1700's?
The Academy of Music was a scene in a book authored by Grace Livingston Hill……. Mystery Flowers, I think may be the title.
Nice pics,music depressing The days before there were 50 shootings per wk
Very nice Craig! If you look very closely, you can see somebody trying to steal the brass railing from the Union League front steps. Lol
Since the Union League is one of the wealthiest organizations in the country, I think that they can afford the security required to prevent theft of their banister railings. I believe it would be easier to rob a bank than to steal from the Union League. Just ask Winthorp about "Mr. Beeks.” (Trading Places theft scene filmed inside the Union League)
@@craigsped I just watched a video of the filming locations of Trading Places and it looks like the theft scene was recorded in two locations, the exterior at the Curtis Institute of Music on Locust St. and the interior at the Chamber of Commerce building in NYC. The Union League Building was not used. From 3:24 - 9:28
ua-cam.com/video/vb9yVLzT3uk/v-deo.html
They certainly do not build them like they used to.
Philadelphia USA 🇺🇸
Your dates are off. 1885 pics shows city hall completed with Billy Penn on top. 1888 and 1899 pics show it incomplete. Still cool
though.
Sometimes the exact dates are not recorded on the photos. In those cases you may find the date listed as “circa” or approximate. If I find any obvious mistakes I’ll try to amend them in the video description as it is too late to amend the video itself after publishing. Thanks for watching and commenting.
Nice!!!
The photo at 11 seconds shows a completed City Hall in circa 1885. Not possible. The accurate photo at 2:05 shows City Hall under construction. (It took thirty years to complete.)
It would be great to see similar images but from the 1950s, when I was a child poking around the historic areas of Philadelphia. Since the renovations in the 80s (?) when the area was turned into a "national park" all the old factories, homes, and stores that crowded the historic buildings have been cleared away, giving the whole area a feeling of an outdoor museum rather than the vibrant city that accommodated commerce and homes side by side. And can it be a good thing that Elsfreth Alley is home to the wealthy rather than the poor and working classes that lived there in the past.
In part 3 , I used some images of the old city area from the 50s. Also, if you watch the Route 66 episode, “The Thin White Line” which was shot in Philly in 1961, you can see some of the old city changes from then. Including Buzz’s (Martin Milner) confrontation with a Hot Dog vendor at 2nd and Market Street. Thanks for your comment.
I really hate to see open space and older architecture replaced by apartment or office towers. It makes a city resemble the backdrop of a "space opera". The more urban this planet becomes, the more we become ants in an anthill.
How ornate those old buildings are/were.
Lits Strawbridges Gimbles Reading Terminal
The video is laid out like
Look at old building
Look at the same building but now with cars
Nice country america have big history like alot
Its amazing how much the city evolved over the century, Its crazy to think that factories were right in t heart of the city. the Pollution must have been horrible
It was. I see old photos of city hall where the tower is black from the soot of Broad Street Station steam engines.
🎵🎶"the way we were"🎵🎶🎵...
In the 60's as a kid walking pass this place with mom, I thought God lived there. 😊
Beautiful. People in 2100 will do the same with photos from today. Haha.
Can you show a picture of where the old St. Alphonsus was in Philadelphia? My Great-Great-Grandmother was baptized in the then new building in December 1855 or early January 1856. I know the St Alphonsus there now is a new place in a different location.
Maybe this can help. I could only find this lithograph. The location of the church is in the description.
digital.librarycompany.org/islandora/object/digitool%3A64465
@@craigsped Thank you. I've had this lithograph for a while . I was just wondering if there is a picture of that area now days. After my Great-Great-Grandmother was born in 1855, my Great-Great-Great-Grandfather moved the family to Chicago. He was a professor of music and played for the Academy of Music that is in Philadelphia. He was originally a professor of music at Charles University in Prague. In Chicago, he opened his own music studio in 1860.
@@craigsped I just wanted to know the neighborhood now. Thanks for the lithograph.
First photo from 1885 shows city hall already constructed and photo at 2:10 from 1890 shows city hall BEING constructed...
I think the 1885 photo is the wrong date. (Maybe 1895?). Sometimes we’re at the mercy of the dates that are written on the old photos.
There were no trolley cars in 1885 in Philadelphia, these trolleys that we see would be around 1905. In 1885 there were only horse drawn streetcars in Philadelphia.
I believe that Philadelphia used cable cars on Market Street in the 1880s. If you look closely you can find no trolley pole or wires.
www.phillytrolley.org/Phila_trolley_history_1924/Phila_trolley_history_1924.html
@@craigsped or they could have been horse-drawn.
May I, please, use your content in videos, hopefully monetized someday, on my channel EVERYTHING PHILADELPHIA?
Steve "(South Philly) SARGE"
Sure, my channel isn’t monetized. It’s just a hobby with me. Good luck.
Awesome thank you so much
Why the sober music?
You want gangster rap?
If you have been to Philadelphia and have seen the decline and decay from what it once was, the sober music is appropriate.
Some nice buildings were destroyed to build ugly ones.
Those modern buildings have little or no character to them. In fact they stink. Liked the older classic pre 1900 constructions better.
OK, what on Earth is a Union League?
RedArrow73 Google is your friend. :)
Nice simulation yet more digital research must be done.
And please stop your children from digitally editing these images.