I don't have a favorite house, but I lived in Philly for 10 years and Wanamaker's was a wonderful place to go (though Strawbridge & Clothiers was my favorite). When I passed the bar, my mother and great-aunts who had come up with me to Philadelphia for the swearing in ceremony, took me to the Crystal Tea Room. I hadn't moved to Philly yet, and a meal at the Crystal Tea Room seemed a beautiful setting for capping off the years of study and exams. Once I moved there, I took my son to the Christmas shows and he was still small enough to ride the monorail in the toy department. I met many a friend at the eagle and enjoyed the organ recitals as I worked in Center City. I've been to the store since it changed hands, and it's not the same. Kind of like the new apartments in the old mansion.
I live in Canada, but was born in Philly and lived there until my family moved up here when I was 9. I still have all my photos with Santa taken at Wanamakers every year for my first 9 Christmases. The eagle statue was one of my favourite things about the store...it's exactly the kind of thing that would appeal to a young child.
It was grand! At Christmas, they had a toy railroad running just under the organ all the way around. I worked there one Christmas holiday for the discount of course..
I am originally from Philadelphia and this was absolutely the best for me to see. The expression "Meet me at the eagle" was a great time. AND...The Christmas show was just amazing. Great presentation and a wonderful trip down memory lane. Many thanks!!!❤🎉
Thank you for doing this story on my relative John Wanamaker, he was the one who decided when he went out on his own to drop the second "n" in our name so some of us have a double "n" and some don't but we're all related. He did so much for Philidelphia and its citizens that he is still held in high regard.
What beautiful homes! Again, I am struck by the incredible craftsmanship and manhours that went into the woodwork and fireplaces and such. I am utterly charmed by the cottage for the daughters. Imagine having such a special place to play and store your dolls! Bigger than many people' homes!
Wanamakers in Philadephia!!! The dining room was great but long gone. I used to shop there all the time you should check out the Strawbridges who owned Strawbridge & Clothier Department Store down the street from Wanamakers.
I'll take a dozen of the golden oak bookcases at $11.00 each, please. An FYI; completed in 1932, the Boardwalk Hall Auditorium Organ, with its 33,113 pipes, is the world's largest pipe organ.
Lindenhurst was amazing. - a very sad ending. I grew up nearby in Willow Grove and we had so many beautiful properties and architecture in the area. In high school and college I worked part-time at John Wanamaker’s in Abington and had many visits to the center city store for my job. Loved my time working there.
The interior of the John Wanamaker house was so beautiful but from the outside picture of the Lindenhurst mansion you can just imagine the beautiful inside so Lindenhurst was my favorite ❤️
Wow, being a Pennsylvania boy I loved Wannamaker's Dept. Store...a bit too rich for my parents blood, plus we lived in York County, but I went to college in Wilmington, DL and did go to Philly sometimes. I do wish there were more pictures of his city house from when he lived in it. Thanks for a great story Ken, Happy Weekend!
So sad about his houses. They were so beautiful. Loved shopping at Wanamaker's Centre City. I lived in Baltimore at the time and would drive up to Philly just for Christmas shopping there even though Baltimore still had my two favorite stores: The Hecht Company and Hutzler's (who was also famous for their tea rooms). Hochschild Kohn's was long gone at this point. Back at Wanamaker's, ladies still ran the elevators. We would have lunch in the Crystal Tea Room while a gentlemen played the grand piano. Coffee and desert on the Terrace Cafe while listening to the Christmas Show before we drove home. Nothing like it today. So glad we took the time. Precious memories with a dear friend who is unfortunately also a memory now too...
So sad all that beautiful wood work gone and never to be seen again. Then the second home donated only to be torn down. What a shame, I'm sure the Homes donation was meant for it to be used and saved instead of torn down.
I HAVE SPENT TIME IN PHILLY, AND I MAY HAVE SEEN THIS CITY MANSION FROM THE OUTSIDE ONLY!!!!!!!!!!! I HATE TO HAVE TO SAY THAT IT MAY HAVE BEEN JUST AS WELL IF THIS ONE HAD BEEN TORN DOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MAYBE THE NEW THREE KEY WORDS IN REAL ESTATE SHOULD BE: WRECKOVATION, WRECKOVATION, WRECKOVATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BY THE WAY, IF YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN, IT OCCURS TO ME THAT YOU SHOULD CHANGE YOUR USERNAME TO 'THESE HOUSES'!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
...now plain, "modernized", and unremarkable w/a betraying veneer, im sure the current owner boasts about the current stark living space. I'd have to tweak my reasoning to embrace what's left. This cringing plot of historic/vintage structure "stripping out" plays out even today in 2024.
There was no price tag...these are 'inheritors' of old world building. There is no proof that these structures were built - or could be built - during the time frame listed. And we know this because none of these same style structures have be constructed in modern day
I have lived in Philly all of my life. I looked at the center city Wanamaker mansion nearly abandoned for years until converted into the travesty today--it exists. The facade is a ghost of the exterior. The other homes did exist and built in their timeframes, and met the fates as reported. What makes you believe "no proof that these were built"? By your logic Lincoln probably was fake, I guess Jesus too. Wanamaker built, donated, gifted immense parks, employee benefits before the time, churches and pipe organs etc in the Philadelphia metropolitan area. All records aren't public, such as building costs or craftsmen names. What seems to trouble you, that some wealthy people gave a damn about employees and their community, invested in craftsmanship as opposed to today's selfishness?
Thanks for the story about a great Philadelphian and his homes. I took photos in the late 70's of the empty boarded up center city home, some stone details, and carriagehouse in the rear (since demolished) and remnants of abandoned rear and "garden area", regretfully I've lost in time. Your photo captures a glimpse of the empty lot to the the left facing the mansion--not sure what was there originally, used as parking by the time of your photo. This episode, as others, often leave me wondering how we so easily destroy magnificent architecture and history.
The developers knocked the soul out of that place. Looks like any modern apartment anyplace.
😢. That’s a freaking crime 🤦🏽♀️
Thankfully, the architectural interior was salvaged before they modernized it.
That was a crime what they did in that building.
Leticia James probably would have charged them with fraud and seized their buildings
It can make you sick!😧😔
I don't have a favorite house, but I lived in Philly for 10 years and Wanamaker's was a wonderful place to go (though Strawbridge & Clothiers was my favorite). When I passed the bar, my mother and great-aunts who had come up with me to Philadelphia for the swearing in ceremony, took me to the Crystal Tea Room. I hadn't moved to Philly yet, and a meal at the Crystal Tea Room seemed a beautiful setting for capping off the years of study and exams. Once I moved there, I took my son to the Christmas shows and he was still small enough to ride the monorail in the toy department. I met many a friend at the eagle and enjoyed the organ recitals as I worked in Center City. I've been to the store since it changed hands, and it's not the same. Kind of like the new apartments in the old mansion.
I live in Canada, but was born in Philly and lived there until my family moved up here when I was 9. I still have all my photos with Santa taken at Wanamakers every year for my first 9 Christmases. The eagle statue was one of my favourite things about the store...it's exactly the kind of thing that would appeal to a young child.
Wananmaker's was such a huge part of Philly's landscape that schools throughout the area took field trips just to tour the building 😃
The Grand Depot sounds like it was wonderful. The mansion is gorgeous.
It was grand! At Christmas, they had a toy railroad running just under the organ all the way around. I worked there one Christmas holiday for the discount of course..
I am originally from Philadelphia and this was absolutely the best for me to see. The expression "Meet me at the eagle" was a great time. AND...The Christmas show was just amazing. Great presentation and a wonderful trip down memory lane. Many thanks!!!❤🎉
Thank you for doing this story on my relative John Wanamaker, he was the one who decided when he went out on his own to drop the second "n" in our name so some of us have a double "n" and some don't but we're all related. He did so much for Philidelphia and its citizens that he is still held in high regard.
Who built the summer home and camp in Island Heights N J
If I were you I would choose the nickname RobiWan. 😉
What beautiful homes! Again, I am struck by the incredible craftsmanship and manhours that went into the woodwork and fireplaces and such. I am utterly charmed by the cottage for the daughters. Imagine having such a special place to play and store your dolls! Bigger than many people' homes!
Wanamakers in Philadephia!!! The dining room was great but long gone. I used to shop there all the time you should check out the Strawbridges who owned Strawbridge & Clothier Department Store down the street from Wanamakers.
You did an excellent job talking about the Wanamaker Store in downtown Philly(as a child I remember the pipe organ and the Christmas shows)👍🏾
Another excellent video! Love it!
I'll take a dozen of the golden oak bookcases at $11.00 each, please. An FYI; completed in 1932, the Boardwalk Hall Auditorium Organ, with its 33,113 pipes, is the world's largest pipe organ.
The boardwalk organ isn't fully operational, which makes the Wannamaker organ the largest operational organ in the world .
Thanks BSA. Philistines!
I have fond memories of visiting Wanamaker’s when I was a child in the 60s & 70s. My grandmother used to take me to the Crystal Tea Room.
The Center City house was beautiful, what a tragedy to see what a non-descript apartment house it has been transformed into.
Lindenhurst was amazing. - a very sad ending. I grew up nearby in Willow Grove and we had so many beautiful properties and architecture in the area. In high school and college I worked part-time at John Wanamaker’s in Abington and had many visits to the center city store for my job. Loved my time working there.
I loved Lindenhurst(sp)? What an absolute shame!
While the interior of the city house is now basic, I am glad the exterior still exists. It’s quite interesting and attractive!
The interior of the John Wanamaker house was so beautiful but from the outside picture of the Lindenhurst mansion you can just imagine the beautiful inside so Lindenhurst was my favorite ❤️
Damn the boy scouts!
Just stunning.
Wow, being a Pennsylvania boy I loved Wannamaker's Dept. Store...a bit too rich for my parents blood, plus we lived in York County, but I went to college in Wilmington, DL and did go to Philly sometimes. I do wish there were more pictures of his city house from when he lived in it. Thanks for a great story Ken, Happy Weekend!
So sad about his houses. They were so beautiful. Loved shopping at Wanamaker's Centre City. I lived in Baltimore at the time and would drive up to Philly just for Christmas shopping there even though Baltimore still had my two favorite stores: The Hecht Company and Hutzler's (who was also famous for their tea rooms). Hochschild Kohn's was long gone at this point. Back at Wanamaker's, ladies still ran the elevators. We would have lunch in the Crystal Tea Room while a gentlemen played the grand piano. Coffee and desert on the Terrace Cafe while listening to the Christmas Show before we drove home. Nothing like it today. So glad we took the time. Precious memories with a dear friend who is unfortunately also a memory now too...
Lyndonhurst… I worked at Wanamakers in Jenkintown during college!!!❤❤❤
This guy has got some taste! Wow! I wanna be Mrs. Wannamaker and live in his world! They’re all Gorge!
Afternoon..loved the city house too bad its sound has been robbed. Thank you for sharing
This was great but could you maybe PLEASE make another video about this man’s houses?
Wow so much loss. Very sad.😔😔😥
Swap meet? lol I like the city house.
the doll house. well,the main macy's today. remember when it was "alive" in the early 50's. wonderful. interesting.
So sad all that beautiful wood work gone and never to be seen again. Then the second home donated only to be torn down. What a shame, I'm sure the Homes donation was meant for it to be used and saved instead of torn down.
Such a shame the Boy Scouts tore it down. I wonder what they replaced it with.
I mean, if you buy something just to demolish it, why don't you just buy an empty piece of land?
@nathalie.... Exactly, plus they have the cost of demolition. I just don't get it.
"Plain and unremarkable" is what the modern day younger generation seems to thrive on, unfortunately!
I actually liked the Cape May house.
I have owned some beautiful residents. I am glad I never advanced to this extreme.
I wonder if his home at Cape May Point NJ still exist? He developed CMP as a religious retreat.
Heyyyyy born and raised in Philly🫶🏾
I ll take the first mansion in philly please .
Look at Philadelphia now.
Wow, once again a mansion's interior was stripped of its character and made UGLY!
I HAVE SPENT TIME IN PHILLY, AND I MAY HAVE SEEN THIS CITY MANSION FROM THE OUTSIDE ONLY!!!!!!!!!!! I HATE TO HAVE TO SAY THAT IT MAY HAVE BEEN JUST AS WELL IF THIS ONE HAD BEEN TORN DOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MAYBE THE NEW THREE KEY WORDS IN REAL ESTATE SHOULD BE: WRECKOVATION, WRECKOVATION, WRECKOVATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BY THE WAY, IF YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN, IT OCCURS TO ME THAT YOU SHOULD CHANGE YOUR USERNAME TO 'THESE HOUSES'!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
...now plain, "modernized", and unremarkable w/a betraying veneer, im sure the current owner boasts about the current stark living space. I'd have to tweak my reasoning to embrace what's left. This cringing plot of historic/vintage structure "stripping out" plays out even today in 2024.
Did you see the price tag for them as well 😧
There was no price tag...these are 'inheritors' of old world building. There is no proof that these structures were built - or could be built - during the time frame listed. And we know this because none of these same style structures have be constructed in modern day
I have lived in Philly all of my life. I looked at the center city Wanamaker mansion nearly abandoned for years until converted into the travesty today--it exists. The facade is a ghost of the exterior. The other homes did exist and built in their timeframes, and met the fates as reported. What makes you believe "no proof that these were built"? By your logic Lincoln probably was fake, I guess Jesus too. Wanamaker built, donated, gifted immense parks, employee benefits before the time, churches and pipe organs etc in the Philadelphia metropolitan area. All records aren't public, such as building costs or craftsmen names. What seems to trouble you, that some wealthy people gave a damn about employees and their community, invested in craftsmanship as opposed to today's selfishness?
@@joecesa1013 I use to think like you did...shhh...go back to sleep
Thanks for the story about a great Philadelphian and his homes. I took photos in the late 70's of the empty boarded up center city home, some stone details, and carriagehouse in the rear (since demolished) and remnants of abandoned rear and "garden area", regretfully I've lost in time. Your photo captures a glimpse of the empty lot to the the left facing the mansion--not sure what was there originally, used as parking by the time of your photo. This episode, as others, often leave me wondering how we so easily destroy magnificent architecture and history.
Don't understand why the family would have sold the City Center mansion it was beautiful, especially with all the detailed wood craftsmanship 🫶🏾