Philadelphia Public Art @philart.net

Nearby 39.950575,-75.162030

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Chestnut Street Bus Shelter Panel (13th)
Pablo Tauler, 2019 (announced)
* abstract design
* moved from the East side of the shelter to the South side. The second picture is from the original configuration.
* panel taken from Chestnut Street Bus Shelters
* next in sequence: Chestnut Street Bus Shelter Panel (Broad)
* Bus shelter. Southwest corner, 13th and Chestnut.
* 39.950575,-75.162030 [map] [nearby]
* On the Gayborhood tour
* Exhibits: Moved, Mass Transit
* See also:
+pablotaulerpublicartwork.blogspot.com




Gazelle
* gazelle
* Wall. South side of Chestnut between 13th and Juniper.
* 39.950575,-75.162200 [map] [nearby]
* On the Gayborhood tour
* Exhibits: Unidentified Artists




Hairdressing Sign
1887
* sign
* inscription: Ladies' and Children's Hair Dressing
* Second floor bay. East side of 13th, North of Chestnut.
* 39.950945,-75.161585 [map] [nearby]
* On the Convention Center tour
* Exhibits: Unidentified Artists
* See also:
+hiddencityphila.org article about this sign




Eagle
1880 (date of building)
* eagle, plants
* Roof. South side of Chestnut, West of 12th.
* 39.950430,-75.161040 [map] [nearby]
* On the Gayborhood tour
* Exhibits: Unidentified Artists




Widener Building
Horace Trumbauer (Architect), 1914
* horizontal angels, globes, Philadelphia seal, ship, plow, bundles of grain
* also on the North end of the building
* Entrance. North side of Chestnut, West of Juniper.
* 39.950800,-75.162950 [map] [nearby]
* On the Gayborhood tour
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org entry for the building
+philadelphiabuildings.org's Horace Trumbauer page




St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church
Frank Rushmore Watson (Architect), 1902
* Statues of Saint John, Saint Luke, Saint Mark and Saint Matthew
* small standing people, books and scrolls
* The four evangelists are displayed here top to bottom (left to right facing the church) in canonical (reverse alphabetical) order. As the original building burned down in 1899, I am assuming the art dates from the 1902 building.
* Entrance pillars. St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. East side of 13th between Chestnut and Market.
* 39.951275,-75.161510 [map] [nearby]
* On the Convention Center tour
* Exhibits: Religious
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org entry for the building
+philadelphiabuildings.org Frank Rushmore Watson page
+wikipedia.org's John the Evangelist page
+wikipedia.org's Luke the Evangelist page
+wikipedia.org's Mark the Evangelist page
+wikipedia.org's Matthew the Apostle page
+stjohnsphilly.org




St. John's Fire Memorial
2011
* In memory of William Chance, Hugh Duffy, James Shea and George Steinle
* Philadelphia Fire Department insignia
* inscription:
Hoseman George Steinle
Died in the line of duty protecting the citizens of Philadelphia on February 17, 1899
Hoseman William Chance
Died in the line of duty protecting the citizens of Philadelphia on February 17, 1899
Hoseman Hugh Duffy
Died in the line of duty protecting the citizens of Philadelphia on February 17, 1899
Hoseman James Shea
Died in the line of duty protecting the citizens of Philadelphia on March 2, 1899
* Sidewalk. In front of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. East side of 13th between Chestnut and Market.
* 39.951375,-75.161500 [map] [nearby]
* On the Convention Center tour
* Exhibits: Police and Fire Fighters, Unidentified Artists
* See also:
+extensive post about this fire and the death of the memorialized firefighters at facebook.com
+stjohnsphilly.org




Roy G. Biv
Klip Collective, 2022
* abstract rainbow, neon lights
* Wall. Northeast corner, Juniper and Sansom.
* 39.950030,-75.162887 [map] [nearby]
* On the Gayborhood tour
* See also:
+press release
+klip.tv




Plan of the City of Philadelphia
* map of the city
* Wall. North side of Sansom between 12th and 13th.
* 39.949810,-75.161350 [map] [nearby]
* On the Gayborhood tour
* Exhibits: Unidentified Artists




The Tableau
1986
* Representations of Adam, David, Eve, Isaiah and The Magi
* groups of people, standing people, furniture, sitting people, headgear, staffs, crutch, tools, Earth, sun, moon, planets, stars, water, buildings, plants, lion, lamb, food, serpent, symbols
* Includes a representation of the City Hall William Penn
* inscription: A series of 8 Sculptured Murals commissioned by Monsigner Charles V. Devlin, PA, in 1986.
The first half of the tableau tells a story via excerpts from biblical history from the creation of the world to the birth of Jesus Christ:
I. Creation
II. Expulsion from the Garden of Eden
III. The Prophet Isaiah prophesying the Messiah
IV. King David
V. The Three Wisemen of the Epiphnany
The second half depicts the mission of St. John the Evangelist Church and how we can all continue the mystery of God's love by caring for the needs of:
VI. The sick
VII. The homeless and needy
VIII. The imprisoned
"For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was naked and you clothed me, ...I was ill and you comforted me, in prison and you came to visit me."
* North side of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. East side of 13th between Chestnut and Market.
* 39.951300,-75.161300 [map] [nearby]
* On the Convention Center tour
* Exhibits: Religious, Unidentified Artists
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Adam page
+wikipedia.org's David page
+wikipedia.org's Eve page
+wikipedia.org's Isaiah page
+wikipedia.org's Magi page
+stjohnsphilly.org




Mary
* statue of Mary
* small standing person, head covered, rosary
* North side of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. East side of 13th between Chestnut and Market.
* 39.951300,-75.161275 [map] [nearby]
* On the Convention Center tour
* Exhibits: Religious, Unidentified Artists
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Mary, mother of Jesus page
+stjohnsphilly.org




The Sign Boy
Tom Miles, 1994
* small standing boy, sign, hat, dog
* Was on the East side of Juniper, South of Market. Removed some time during the first half of 2021 or late 2020 during renovation of the Wanamaker entrance.
* 39.951485,-75.162725 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Missing
* See also:
+milesstudios.info




Finding Home
Kathryn Pannepacker, Josh Sarantitis, 2011
* big idea, hands and partial standing people, loom, headgear
* inscription: in visible dignity
* Wall. North side of Ludlow across from St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. East side of 13th between Chestnut and Market.
* 39.951450,-75.161275 [map] [nearby]
* On the Convention Center tour
* See also:
+publicartarchive.org's page for this piece
+publicartarchive.org's Kathryn Pannepacker page
+joshsarantitis.com
+stjohnsphilly.org




Chestnut Street Bus Shelter Panel (12th)
Pablo Tauler, 2019 (announced)
* abstract design
* moved from the East side of the shelter to the South side. The second picture is from the original configuration.
* panel taken from Chestnut Street Bus Shelters
* next in sequence: Chestnut Street Bus Shelter Panel (13th)
* Bus shelter. Southwest corner, 12th and Chestnut.
* 39.950385,-75.160430 [map] [nearby]
* On the Jefferson Center City Campus tour
* Exhibits: Moved, Mass Transit
* See also:
+pablotaulerpublicartwork.blogspot.com




Beneficial Savings Fund Society Building
Horace Trumbauer (Architect), 1916
* reliefs of Mercury and Venus
* small kneeling people, headgear, mirror, flaming torch, plants, birds
* East wall and North entrance. Thomas R. Kline Institute for Trial Advocacy. Southwest corner, 12th and Chestnut.
* 39.950350,-75.160250 [map] [nearby]
* On the Jefferson Center City Campus tour
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org page for the building
+philadelphiabuildings.org's Horace Trumbauer page
+wikipedia.org's Mercury page
+wikipedia.org's Venus page
+drexel.edu's Kline Institute page




Ice
Robinson Fredenthal, 1973
* abstract frozen water
* Usually open, visible through the window when not
* In the concourse stairwell. 1234 Market. Southeast corner 13th and Market.
* 39.951900,-75.161300 [map] [nearby]
* On the Convention Center tour
* See also:
+associationforpublicart.org's page for this piece, Water,and Fire
+robinfredenthal.com




Fire
Robinson Fredenthal, 1973
* abstract fire
* Plaza. Behind 1234 Market. North side of Ludlow, East of 13th.
* 39.951385,-75.160700 [map] [nearby]
* On the Convention Center tour
* See also:
+associationforpublicart.org's page for this piece, Water, and Ice
+robinfredenthal.com




Philadelphia Building Chandelier
Warren Muller, 2008
* chandelier
* Visible through the window
* Interior. East side of Juniper, North of Walnut.
* 39.949425,-75.163050 [map] [nearby]
* On the Gayborhood tour
* See also:
+bahdeebahdu.com's Warren Muller's page




William McKinley
Isidore Konti, Charles Albert Lopez, 1908
* Memorial to and statue of William McKinley
* standing person, seated people, branch, papers
* The last picture is of the reference to this piece from the mural at 12th and Walnut
* inscription:
Soldier
Statesman
Martyr
* South side of City Hall. North side of S. Penn Square , East of Broad.
* 39.951750,-75.163200 [map] [nearby]
* On the City Hall tour
* See also:
+phillyhistory.org 1912 picture of this piece
+associationforpublicart.org's page for this piece
+wikipedia.org's Isidore Konti page
+askart.com's Charles Albert Lopez page
+wikipedia.org's William McKinley page
+philadelphiabuildings.org's City Hall page
+wikipedia.org's City Hall page




CRADLE
Diogo Machado (ADD FUEL), 2023
* big abstract quilt designs
* East side of the East wall. Jefferson Plaza. North side of Chestnut, East of 12th.
* 39.950600,-75.159670 [map] [nearby]
* On the Jefferson Center City Campus tour
* Exhibits: Mosaic
* See also:
+addfuel.com




Welsh Society Plaque
1968
* One line biographies of Thomas Jefferson, John Marshall, Gouverneur Morris, Robert Morris and William Penn
* small dragon logo
* inscription:
The Welsh Society
Philadelphia
Organized March 1, 1729
Gogoniant i Dduw
Glory to God
Commemorating the Welsh contributions to the founding of the City of Philadelphia the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the United States of America
William Penn, 1644-1718, proclaimer of freedom of religion and planner of New Wales, later named Pennsylvania
Robert Morris, 1734-1806, foremost financier of the American Revolution and signer of the Declaration of Independence
Thomas Jefferson, 1743-1826, third President of the United States and author of the Declaration of Independence
Gouverneur Morris, 1752-1816, author of the final draft of the Constitution of the United States
John Marshall, 1755-1835, Chief Justice of the United States and Father of American Constitutional Law
Erected on St. David's Day, March 1, 1968
* East wall. City Hall. Market at Juniper.
* 39.952250,-75.162750 [map] [nearby]
* On the City Hall tour
* Exhibits: Unidentified Artists
* See also:
+philadelphiawelsh.org
+wikipedia.org's Thomas Jefferson page
+wikipedia.org's John Marshall page
+wikipedia.org's Gouverneur Morris page
+wikipedia.org's Robert Morris page
+wikipedia.org's William Penn page
+philadelphiabuildings.org's City Hall page
+wikipedia.org's City Hall page




PTC Bus No. 1312
ACF-Brill Motors Co., 1949
* front of an actual bus
* The original was a 1948 model C-44. This is a reconstruction from a donated 1949 model C-36. Accessible from the concourse when the building is open, visible through the glass when it isn't.
* Interior. Concourse level. 1234 Market. South side of Market between 12th and 13th.
* 39.951800,-75.160825 [map] [nearby]
* On the Convention Center tour
* Exhibits: Mass Transit
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's J.G. Brill Company page




PTC Trolley No. 2733
St. Louis Car Company, 1947
* big actual trolley
* Accessible from the concourse when the building is open, visible through the glass when it isn't.
* Interior. Concourse level. 1234 Market. South side of Market between 12th and 13th.
* 39.951850,-75.160850 [map] [nearby]
* On the Convention Center tour
* Exhibits: Mass Transit
* See also:
+youtube video walk around of this piece
+wikipedia.org's PCC streatcar page
+wikipedia.org's St. Louis Car Company page




Stephen Girard Building Caryatid Columns
James H. Windrim (Architect), 1896
* building named for Stephen Girard
* small standing people
* West wall, 2nd floor. Canopy Hotel. East side of 12th between Ludlow and Clover.
* 39.951025,-75.160000 [map] [nearby]
* On the Jefferson Center City Campus tour
* Exhibits: New
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org's page for the building
+philadelphiabuildings.org's James H. Windrim page
+wikipedia.org's Stephen Girard page
+hilton.com's Canopy Philadelphia page




City Hall, East Pavilion
Alexander Milne Calder, 1873 - 1893
* beaver, crane and owl, butterfly, plants, elephant head, dragon heads, City Hall tower, city seal, ship, plow and scales, scrolls, standing people, reclining people, heads, headgear
* Part of the whole building's art. East entrance City Hall. Market at Juniper.
* 39.952300,-75.162800 [map] [nearby]
* On the City Hall tour
* See also:
+associationforpublicart.org's page for this piece
+wikipedia.org's Alexander Milne Calder page
+philadelphiabuildings.org's City Hall page
+wikipedia.org's City Hall page




Witherspoon Building
Conkling-Armstrong Terra Cotta Company, Joseph M. Huston (Architect), 1895 - 1897
* References to and representations of Albert Barnes, Charles Hodge, Jesus, Saint John, Saint Luke, Saint Mark, Saint Matthew and John Witherspoon
* small lion, birds, ox, plants, books, winged person, groups of people, standing people, reclining people, heads and eyes, fire, scales, headgear, anchor, cup, furniture, various religious symbols
* Some art was moved to the Presbyterian Historical Society: Witherspoon Building Figures
* Entire Building. West side of Juniper between Sansom and Walnut, and along the North side of Walnut West of Juniper.
* 39.949250,-75.163200 [map] [nearby]
* On the Gayborhood tour
* Exhibits: Religious, Gargoyles
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org's page for the building
+philadelphiabuildings.org's Conkling-Armstrong Terra Cotta Company page
+philadelphiabuildings.org's Joseph M. Huston page
+wikipedia.org Albert Barnes page
+wikipedia.org Charles Hodge page
+wikipedia.org's Jesus page
+wikipedia.org's John the Evangelist page
+wikipedia.org's Luke the Evangelist page
+wikipedia.org's Mark the Evangelist page
+wikipedia.org's Matthew the Apostle page
+wikipedia.org's John Witherspoon page




Water
Robinson Fredenthal, 1973
* big abstract water
* Usually open, visible through the window when not
* In the lobby. 1234 Market. South side of Market, East of 13th.
* 39.951800,-75.160700 [map] [nearby]
* On the Convention Center tour
* See also:
+associationforpublicart.org's page for this piece, Ice, and Fire
+robinfredenthal.com




Chestnut Street Bus Shelter Panel (Broad)
Pablo Tauler, 2019 (announced)
* abstract design
* moved from the East side of the shelter to the South side. The second picture is from the original configuration.
* panel taken from Chestnut Street Bus Shelters
* next in sequence: Chestnut Street Bus Shelter Panel (15th)
* Bus shelter. Southwest corner, Broad and Chestnut.
* 39.950860,-75.164330 [map] [nearby]
* On the Avenue of the Arts tour
* Exhibits: Moved, Mass Transit
* See also:
+pablotaulerpublicartwork.blogspot.com




Girard Trust Corn Exchange Bank
Allen Evans (Architect), Frank Furness (Architect), 1908
* relief bust of Stephen Girard
* big head, ships
* best observed from the East side of Broad
* inscription: Girard Trust Company, Incorporated 1836
* East pediment. Ritz Carlton. West side of Broad North of Chestnut.
* 39.951150,-75.164100 [map] [nearby]
* On the Avenue of the Arts tour
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org's page for the building
+philadelphiabuildings.org's Allen Evans page
+wikipedia.org's Frank Furness page
+wikipedia.org's Stephen Girard page




Camac Center
Isaiah Zagar, 2014
* abstract parts of people, words
* Wall. East side of Camac, South of Walnut.
* 39.948450,-75.161430 [map] [nearby]
* On the Gayborhood tour
* Exhibits: Mosaic
* See also:
+official picture of this piece< at imgur.com/a>
+
phillymagicgardens.org




Dutch Settlements Plaque
1909
* Mentions King Charles II, Willem Kieft, Cornelis Jacobsen Mey, Peter Minuit, William Penn, Peter Stuyvesent, Adrian Jorisszen Tienpont, Wouter van Twiller and Willem Verhulst
* small symbols, beaver, flowers, crowns
* inscription:
In commemoration of the Dutch settlements on the Delaware 1623-1664
The territory occupied by the West India Company and known as New Netherland extended from the Capes of the Delaware to the Connecticut River and embraced within its boundaries the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Directors General of the West India Company Adriaen Jorissen Tienpont, Cornelis Jacobsen Mey, Willem Verhulst, Peter Minuit, Wouter Van Twiller, Willem Kieft, Peter Stuyvesent
Chronolgy New Netherland Captured by the English 1664. Recaptured by the Dutch 1673. Ceded to the English 1674. Charter granted by King Charles II to William Penn for the territory since known as Pennsylvania March 4, 1681
The Society of Colonial Wars in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania 1909
* Wall. South side of City Hall. North side of S. Penn Square at Broad.
* 39.951740,-75.163650 [map] [nearby]
* On the City Hall tour
* Exhibits: Unidentified Artists
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's King Charles II page
+wikipedia.org's Willem Kieft page
+wikipedia.org's Cornelis Jacobsen Mey page
+wikipedia.org's Peter Minuit page
+wikipedia.org's William Penn page
+wikipedia.org's Peter Stuyvesent page
+wikipedia.org's Adrian Jorisszen Tienpont page
+wikipedia.org's Wouter van Twiller page
+wikipedia.org's Willem Verhulst page
+philadelphiabuildings.org's City Hall page
+wikipedia.org's City Hall page




John Wanamaker, Citizen
John Massey Rhind, 1923
* Statue of John Wanamaker
* standing person carrying a hat
* inscription: 1838 - 1922
* East side of City Hall. West side of Juniper, North of Market.
* 39.952650,-75.162750 [map] [nearby]
* On the City Hall tour
* See also:
+phillyhistory.org 1936 picture of this piece
+associationforpublicart.org's page for this piece
+wikipedia.org's John Massey Rhind page
+wikipedia.org's John Wanamaker page
+philadelphiabuildings.org's City Hall page
+wikipedia.org's City Hall page




Fidelity Bank Building
Richard William Morton Keast (Architect), Edward Paul Simon (Architect), Grant Miles Simon (Architect), 1928
* reclining people, heads, standing people, headgear, hammer, artists tools, quill and scroll, dragons, ship, weapons, lion, tree, donkey, sun, sundial
* Keast is listed in two places as the actual designer of the building, but Simon and Simon are officially credited.
* inscription:
Libertas Americana, 4 Juil 1776
Non sine diis animosusinians 17 Oct. 1777 - 19 Oct. 1781
Fugio. 1787, Mind your business
Value me as you please
Masathusets
* Whole building. East side of Broad between Sansom and Walnut.
* 39.949675,-75.163925 [map] [nearby]
* On the Avenue of the Arts tour
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org's page for the building
+philadelphiabuildings.org's Richard William Morton Keast page
+philadelphiabuildings.org's Edward Paul Simon page
+philadelphiabuildings.org's Grant Miles Simon page




Washington Grays Monument
John A. Wilson, 1908
* Portrait on soldier's hat of George Washington
* standing person wearing a hat, rifle
* The base was created by Joseph Wilson in 1872. The statue was previously located in Washington Square (1908-1954) and at Lemon Hill (1954-1991). Pictures are from the current location.
* inscription: To Our Fallen Comrades 1861-1865
* In front of the Union League. Southwest corner, Broad and Sansom.
* 39.950060,-75.164350 [map] [nearby]
* On the Avenue of the Arts tour
* Exhibits: Favorites, Moved, War
* See also:
+Max Buten's page for this piece
+wikipedia.org page for this piece
+associationforpublicart.org's page for this piece
+phillyhistory.org 1959 picture of this piece at Lemon Hill
+wikipedia.org's John A. Wilson page
+wikipedia.org's George Washington page
+unionleague.org




Swedish Settlements Plaque
1909
* Lists Anders Svensson Bonde, Johan Campanius, Peter Larsson Cock, Anders Larson Dalbo, Mans Nilsson Kling, Joran Kyn, Peter Lindstrom, Peter Minuit, Johan Printz, Peter Gunnarsson Rambo, Peter Hollander Ridder, Johan Risingh, Sven Skute and Olof Persson Stille
* small symbols, lions, crowns, tree
* Many of the names and spellings on this plaque do not match other sources
* inscription:
In commemoration of The Swedish Settlements on the Delaware 1638-1655
New Sweden embraced within its boundaries the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and included lands on the West side of the Delaware from Cape Henlopen to Trenton Falls and on the East side from Cape May to Mantua Creek
Swedish Governors Peter Minuit, Peter Hollender, Johan Printz, Johan Risingh
Swedish Sovereignty passed by capture to the Dutch, 1655
Among the prominent Swedish settlers were Mans Kling, Sven Schute, Johan Campanius, Joran Kyn, Olof Stille, Peter Cock, Anders Dalbo, Peter Lindhstrom, Anders Bonde, Peter Rambo
Erected by The Society of Colonial Wars in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania 1909
* Wall. South side of City Hall. North side of S. Penn Square at Broad.
* 39.951735,-75.163725 [map] [nearby]
* On the City Hall tour
* Exhibits: Unidentified Artists
* See also:
+geni.com's Anders Svensson Bonde page
+wikipedia.org's Johan Campanius page
+findagrave.com's Peter Larsson Cock page
+geni.com's Anders Larson Dalbo page
+wikipedia.org's Mans Nilsson Kling page
+Joran Kyn article on rootsweb.com
+wikipedia.org's Upland, Pennsylvania page mentions Peter Lindstrom
+wikipedia.org's Peter Minuit page
+wikipedia.org's Johan Printz page
+wikipedia.org's Peter Gunnarsson Rambo page
+wikipedia.org's Peter Hollander Ridder page
+wikipedia.org's Johan Risingh page
+drphysick.com's Sven Skute page
+wikipedia.org's Olof Persson Stille page
+philadelphiabuildings.org's City Hall page
+wikipedia.org's City Hall page




City Hall, South Pavilion
Alexander Milne Calder, 1873 - 1893
* standing people, sitting people, heads, birds, dragons, book and scrolls, staff, cats, seal of Pennsylvania, horses, ship, plow, plants, bison head, squirrel, headgear
* Part of the whole building's art. City Hall. North side of S. Penn Square at Broad.
* 39.951825,-75.163650 [map] [nearby]
* On the City Hall tour
* See also:
+associationforpublicart.org's page for this piece
+wikipedia.org's Alexander Milne Calder page
+philadelphiabuildings.org's City Hall page
+wikipedia.org's City Hall page




William Penn's Prayer for Philadelphia 1684
* relief bust of, and quote from, William Penn
* small head
* inscription:
"And thou, Philadelphia, the virgin settlement
of this province - named before thou were born -
what love, what care, what service and what
travail there have been to bring thee forth
and to preserve thee from such as would abuse
and defile thee.
Oh that thou mayest be kept from the evil
that would overwhelm thee; that faithful
to the God of thy mercies, in the life of
righteousness, thou mayest be preserved to
the end.
My soul prays to God for thee that thou
mayest stand in the day of trial, that thy
children may be blest and thy people saved
by his power."
Erected by the Colonial Dames of America
Chapter II Philadelphia
Elise Willing Balch Memorial Fund
* Wall. South side of the East pavilion near the courtyard, City Hall. Market at Juniper.
* 39.952325,-75.163175 [map] [nearby]
* On the City Hall tour
* Exhibits: Religious, Unidentified Artists
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's William Penn page
+philadelphiabuildings.org's City Hall page
+wikipedia.org's City Hall page




City Hall Plaque
American Society of Civil Engineers, 2006
* small City Hall Tower
* inscription:
National Historical Civil Engineering Landmark
Started 1871
Completed 1901
Since its completion 30 years after construction begain in 1871, City Hall has dominated the Center City Philadelphia skyline. At Penn Square,the building is still the world's tallest masonry load bearing structure, made of 88 million bricks and thousands of tons of stone. City Hall is the nation's most elaborate seat of municipal government. It is the finest example of the French Second Empire style, widely used in Late 19th Century public buildings.
* Wall. North side of the East pavilion near the courtyard City Hall. Market at Juniper.
* 39.952335,-75.163170 [map] [nearby]
* On the City Hall tour
* See also:
+asce.org
+philadelphiabuildings.org's City Hall page
+wikipedia.org's City Hall page




Roll of Honor
1956
* small head, upper body and arm, hat, police call box, names
* inscription:
Police Department
City of Philadelphia
In grateful memory of those who gave their lives in performance of their duty
* Courtyard (Southeast corner). City Hall. Market, West of Juniper.
* 39.952250,-75.163325 [map] [nearby]
* On the City Hall tour
* Exhibits: Police and Fire Fighters, Unidentified Artists
* See also:
+Adventure George's picture of this piece at flickr.com
+philadelphiabuildings.org's City Hall page
+wikipedia.org's City Hall page




PSFS Sign
George Howe (Architect), William Lescaze (Architect), 1932
* big neon wordmark sign
* The picture was taken from the North side of the 1600 block of Market
* Roof. Loews Hotel. Southwest corner 12th and Market.
* 39.951800,-75.160150 [map] [nearby]
* On the City Hall tour
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org page for the building
+wikipedia.org's page for the building
+wikipedia.org's George Howe page
+wikipedia.org's William Lescaze page
+loewshotels.com Philadelphia page




Spirit of '61
Henry Kirke Bush-Brown, 1911
* standing person, hat, rifle
* inscription:
First Regiment Infantry National Guard of Pennsylvania
(Gray Reserves)
1861 - April 19 - 1911
* In front of the Union League. Southwest corner, Broad and Sansom.
* 39.949800,-75.164400 [map] [nearby]
* On the Avenue of the Arts tour
* Exhibits: War
* See also:
+Max Buten's picture of this piece
+phillyhistory.org 1957 picture of the Union League with this piece visible
+associationforpublicart.org's page for this piece
+wikipedia.org's Henry Kirke Bush-Brown page
+unionleague.org




Honickman Center South Wall
ennnead (Architect), 2024
* abstract forms
* First floor windows. Honickman Center. North side of Chestnut, West of 11th.
* 39.950360,-75.159090 [map] [nearby]
* On the Jefferson Center City Campus tour
* Exhibits: New
* See also:
+ennead.com
+jeffersonhealth.org's Honickman Center page
+ennead.com's Honickman Center page




Girard Trust Building
McKim, Mead and White (Architects), 1931
* relief bust of Stephen Girard
* head, ships, lion heads
* North wall. Ritz Carlton. South side of S. Penn Square, West of Broad.
* 39.951565,-75.164240 [map] [nearby]
* On the City Hall tour
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org entry for the building
+wikipedia.org's McKim, Mead and White page
+wikipedia.org's Stephen Girard page




St. Andrew's Society Tablet
1926
* Insignia representation of the first, in memory of the rest: Saint Andrew, Philip Livingston, Thomas McKean, George Ross, James Wilson and John Witherspoon
* small insignia, crown, plants, eagle, arrows, lion, standing St. Andrew with cross
* inscription:
To the Memory of five of its members
who signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776
The St. Andrew's Society of Philadelphia
organized in 1747
dedicated this tablet 1926
Nemo me impune lacessit
* Courtyard wall. West side of the South Pavilion. City Hall. North side of S. Penn Square at Broad.
* 39.952120,-75.163700 [map] [nearby]
* On the City Hall tour
* Exhibits: Unidentified Artists
* See also:
+standrewsociety.org
+wikipedia.org's Andrew the Apostle page
+wikipedia.org's Philip Livingston page
+wikipedia.org's Thomas McKean page
+wikipedia.org's George Ross page
+wikipedia.org's James Wilson page
+wikipedia.org's John Witherspoon page
+philadelphiabuildings.org's City Hall page
+wikipedia.org's City Hall page




A Quest for Parity: The Octavius V. Catto Memorial
Branly Cadet, 2017
* Memorial to and statue of Octavius Catto
* big and small standing person, ideas, cube and mirrored orb, steles representing a streetcar and a representational streetcar, buildings, plants, horse, clouds, groups of people, some sitting, hats, guns, baseball equipment
* inscription:
South side of steles, North side of cube:
There must come a change which will force upon this nation that course which providence seems wisely to be directing for the mutual benefit of all peoples.
West side of steles, West side of cube:
Educator Leader Major Athlete Activist
South side of cube: October 10, 1871
East side of cube:
XV
Amendment to the United States Constitution
The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.
North side of steles:
1839 Born February 22 in Charleston, South Carolina
1854 Becomes a student at the Philadelphia Institute for Colored Youth
1858 Graduates from the Institute for Colored Youth
1859 Chosen as a member and recording secretary of the Banneker Institute, an all black literary society led by Jacob White, Jr. Hired as an English and mathematics teacher at his alma mater. Campaign to desegregate the horse-drawn streetcars in Philadelphia begins.
1863 becomes a member of the Pennsylvania National Guard. Helps lead a civil war recruitment committee with Frederick Douglas, members of the Union League, and others, which raises eleven regiments of black troops who trained at Camp William Penn in Cheltenham.
1864 Named corresponding secretary of the Pennsylvania Equal Rights League, an affiliate of the National Equal Rights League. Appointed Vice President of the State Convention of Colored People held in Harrisburg. Led civil disobedience protests and lobbied white legislators in Harrisburg to desegregate streetcars.
1865 Co-authored the state Equal Rights League call for voting rights, streetcar desegregation, and the hiring of black teachers for black students in public schools.
1867 Governor signs statewide "Bill of Rights" law desegregating streetcars. Led the Pythians Base Ball Club of Philadelphia to an undefeated season.
1869 Named principal of male students at the Institute for Colored Youth Pythians play the Olympic Ball Club in Philadelphia in the first match between black and white teams. A leader of the unsuccessful effort to integrate the private City Wide Congress of Literary Societies. Helps lead successful Pennsylvania campaign to pass the 15th Amendment which led to thousands of black men registering to vote.
1870 The Union League presents Octavius Catto, Frederick Douglas, and Robert Purvis with a banner celebrating Pennsylvania's adoption of the 15th Amendment at a ceremony on Broad Street. Writes curriculum for new schools for freed former slaves in the District of Columbia. Becomes a member of the original Franklin Institute breaking the color line at the prestigious national forum for advancing American science and technology.
1871 Named an Inspector General with the rank of Major in the Pennsylvania National Guard. Shot to death on October 10, on South Street in the midst of election day riots. He was 32, and one of many black men shot or attacked that day by opponents of the 15th Amendment. As one of Philadelphia's most influential leaders, more than 5,000 mourners attended his funeral and procession down Broad Street.
* South side of City Hall. North side of S. Penn Square at Broad.
* 39.951775,-75.164100 [map] [nearby]
* On the City Hall tour
* Exhibits: Athletic, War, Black Lives, Mass Transit
* See also:
+associationforpublicart.org's page for this piece
+branlycadet.com
+wikipedia.org's Octavius Catto page
+philadelphiabuildings.org's City Hall page
+wikipedia.org's City Hall page




Ritz Carlton Residence Fountain
Handel Architects, 2009
* abstract fountain
* visible through the fence
* Wall. South side of S. Penn Square, West of Broad.
* 39.951325,-75.164650 [map] [nearby]
* On the City Hall tour
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's page for the building
+wikipedia.org's Handel Architects page




Honickman Center Mobile
ennnead (Architect), 2024
* big hanging collection of abstract shapes
* Interior. East side of Honickman Center. West side of 11th between Chestnut and Clover.
* 39.950385,-75.158800 [map] [nearby]
* On the Jefferson Center City Campus tour
* Exhibits: New
* See also:
+ennead.com
+jeffersonhealth.org's Honickman Center page
+ennead.com's Honickman Center page




ALOMH
Tobi Kahn, 2024
* abstract vertical forms
* Entrance. Northeast corner of Honickman Center. Southwest corner, 11th and Clover.
* 39.950625,-75.158650 [map] [nearby]
* On the Jefferson Center City Campus tour
* Exhibits: New
* See also:
+tobikahn.com
+jeffersonhealth.org's Honickman Center page
+ennead.com's Honickman Center page




World War I Tablet
Nicola D'Ascenzo Studios, 1943 (? not legible)
* small eagle, branches, symbols
* inscription:
This tablet is erected by grateful citizens in honor of the men who offered the supreme sacrifice and of the women who forever glorified womanhood and made victory possible in the Great World War for The Freedom of Mankind
Not for a transient victory or some
stubborn belief that they alone were right
not for a selfish purpose did they fight
but for the generations still to come
Aug 4, 1914 - Apr 6, 1917 - Nov 11, 1918
* Wall. East side of the South tower entrance, City Hall. South side of JFK at Broad.
* 39.952600,-75.163450 [map] [nearby]
* On the City Hall tour
* Exhibits: War
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org Nicola D'Ascenzo page
+philadelphiabuildings.org's City Hall page
+wikipedia.org's City Hall page




One Meridian Plaza Fire Memorial
2009
* Memorial to James A. Chappell, David P. Holcombe and Phyllis McAllister
* small firefighter helmets
* inscription:
To sacrifice one's own safety
in the service of others
requires a courage that is rare.
Those among us who do
are true heroes.
* South side of S. Penn Square, West of Broad.
* 39.951565,-75.164500 [map] [nearby]
* On the City Hall tour
* Exhibits: Police and Fire Fighters, Unidentified Artists, Black Lives
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's One Meridian Plaza page
+findagrave.com's James A. Chappell page
+findagrave.com's David P. Holcombe page
+findagrave.com's Phyllis McAllister page




William Penn
Alexander Milne Calder, 1890 (cast 1892, installed 1894)
* Statue of William Penn
* big standing person wearing a hat
* Billy Penn's hat was once higher than all the buildings in the city. The last two pictures are of references to this piece from the murals at 12th and Walnut and 24th and Chestnut.
* There is a much smaller copy in Welcome Park
* Also referenced by The Tableau
* Part of the whole building's art. On top of the tower of City Hall. Broad and Market.
* 39.952750,-75.163350 [map] [nearby]
* On the City Hall tour
* See also:
+phillyhistory.org undated picture of the head of this piece
+phillyhistory.org 1893 picture of this piece in the courtyard
+associationforpublicart.org's page for this piece
+wikipedia.org's Alexander Milne Calder page
+wikipedia.org's William Penn page
+philadelphiabuildings.org's City Hall page
+wikipedia.org's City Hall page




Native Americans, Swedish Settlers and Eagles
Alexander Milne Calder, 1894
* big people standing, sitting, eagles
* Part of the whole building's art. Around the tower of City Hall. Broad and Market.
* 39.952750,-75.163350 [map] [nearby]
* On the City Hall tour
* See also:
+undated picture of part of this piece in the studio from phillyhistory.org
+another picture of part of this piece in the studio from phillyhistory.org
+wikipedia.org's Alexander Milne Calder page
+philadelphiabuildings.org's City Hall page
+wikipedia.org's City Hall page




Philadelphia Municipal Water System Plaque
1975
* small building and fence, depiction of a fountain, trees, person standing, people sitting, hats, horse, cart
* inscription:
National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark
1801-1815
Philadelphia Municipal Water System
Here at Centre Square stood
Philadelphia's First Water Works
The first public water system in America
to use steam for large scale pumping
American Society of Civil Engineers, 1975
* West side, tower South entrance. City Hall. South side of JFK at Broad.
* 39.952550,-75.163600 [map] [nearby]
* On the City Hall tour
* Exhibits: Unidentified Artists
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org's City Hall page
+wikipedia.org's City Hall page




Manufacturers Club
1911
* small partial winged people, fruit
* South wall. Northwest corner, Broad and Walnut.
* 39.949500,-75.164525 [map] [nearby]
* On the Avenue of the Arts tour
* Exhibits: Unidentified Artists
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org entry for the building




Packard Building Gates
Samuel Yellin, 1923
* flowers
* Gates. Packard Building. Southeast corner, 15th and Chestnut.
* 39.950950,-75.165360 [map] [nearby]
* On the Avenue of the Arts tour
* See also:
+associationforpublicart.org's page this piece
+philadelphiabuildings.orgs's Samuel Yellin page
+samuelyellin.com
+philadelphiabuildings.org's Packard Building page




Hard Rock Cafe Guitar
1998
* big guitar sign
* Above the entrance. Hard Rock Cafe. Northeast corner, 12th and Market.
* 39.952075,-75.159750 [map] [nearby]
* On the Convention Center tour
* Exhibits: Unidentified Artists
* See also:
+hardrock.com's Philadelphia page




Convention Center Logo
1993
* abstract logo
* Based on the original logo of the Convention Center, which was supposed to evoke the train shed.
* Sidewalk. In front of the Reading Terminal Headhouse. Convention Center. North side of Market, East of 12th.
* 39.951965,-75.159311 [map] [nearby]
* On the Convention Center tour
* Exhibits: Unidentified Artists
* See also:
+paconvention.com




Bike Terminal
Nathaniel Ross, 2014
* small abstract representation of the Reading Terminal train shed
* Bike rack. In front of the Reading Terminal Headhouse. Convention Center. North side of Market, East of 12th.
* 39.951910,-75.159190 [map] [nearby]
* On the Convention Center tour
* See also:
+paconvention.com




City Hall Gates
John McArthur, Jr., Vitetta, 2015 (originally designed around 1871)
* abstract ironwork
* Pictures are of the South gates. Location is for the West gates.
* Gates. All four pavilions. City Hall. East side of 15th at Market.
* 39.952485,-75.164420 [map] [nearby]
* On the City Hall tour
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's John McArthur, Jr. page
+vitetta.com
+philadelphiabuildings.org's City Hall page
+wikipedia.org's City Hall page




City Hall, West Pavilion
Alexander Milne Calder, 1873 - 1893
* standing people, sitting and kneeling people, people in groups, heads, headgear, book, plants, snake, lizard, city seal
* Part of the whole building's art. City Hall. East side of 15th at Market.
* 39.952495,-75.164450 [map] [nearby]
* On the City Hall tour
* See also:
+associationforpublicart.org's page for this piece
+wikipedia.org's Alexander Milne Calder page
+philadelphiabuildings.org's City Hall page
+wikipedia.org's City Hall page




Tiffany Atlas Clock
Henry Frederick Metzler, 1853 (date of NYC original)
* statue of Atlas
* standing person, clock (sign)
* Was on the South side of Walnut between Broad and 15th. Tiffany moved three blocks West in late 2021 or early 2022 but does not appear to have reinstalled the Atlas Clock as of 1/18/2022.
* Above the entrance. Tiffany and Co..
* 39.949385,-75.165200 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Missing
* See also:
+tiffany.com history page
+daytoninmanhattan.blogspot.com with particulars of the history of this piece
+wikipedia.org's Atlas page




Bellevue Lions
1989 (approximate)
* small lions holding shields
* Gateposts. Bellevue. West side of Broad between Walnut and Locust.
* 39.948750,-75.164605 [map] [nearby]
* On the Avenue of the Arts tour
* Exhibits: Unidentified Artists
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Bellevue-Stratford Hotel page




The Triune
Robert Engman, 1974 (installed 1975)
* abstract form
* The first picture was taken facing West, probably after the Meridian fire. The second picture was taken in April, 2010, facing Southeast with City Hall relected in the glass of the new building.
* East side of 15th between Market and Chestnut.
* 39.951800,-75.165325 [map] [nearby]
* On the City Hall tour
* See also:
+associationforpublicart.org's page for this piece
+wikipedia.org's Robert Engman page
+publicartarchive.org's Robert Engman page




Ars Medendi (cylinder)
Jim Sandborn, 2009
* abstract form, medical texts
* South side of Walnut, East of 11th.
* 39.948500,-75.158525 [map] [nearby]
* On the Jefferson Center City Campus tour
* Exhibits: Medical
* See also:
+jefferson.edu page for this piece
+jimsanborn.net