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PHILADELPHIA'S
New
City Hall
ILLUSTRATED
WITH MANY FINE
rULLPAGE ENGRAVINGS
ILLUSTRATED DESCRIPTION
OF
Philadelphia's New City Hall
)( '
THE LARGEST AND GRANDEST STRUCTURE IN THE WORLD
BROAD AND MARKET STREETS
FREDERICK TURNER, Publisher
1930 So. 21st Street, Philadelphia, Pa.
Price, 35 Cents
Copyright 1901-1909.
NEW CITY HALL. PHILADELPHIA
"?
\^
Dimensions of Building
From North to South 486 ft. 6 in.
From East to West 470 ft.
Area 4^ acres
Heijjht of Main Tower 547 ft. 3>^ in.
Width of Base 90 ft.
Centre of Clock Face 3f)l ft. above Pavement
Diameter of Clock Face 20 ft.
Height of Upper Balcony 296 ft.
Number of Rooms in Building 750
Total amount of Floor-room is 14 J^ acres.
Height of each Centre Pavilion 202 ft. 10 ,'2 in.
" Corner Towers . . 161 ft.
" Basement Story 18 ft. ZYz in.
" Principal Story 33 ft. 6 in.
" Second Story 35 ft. 7 in.
" Third Story. Centre Pavilions 26 ft. 6 in.
Wings 24 ft. 3 in.
" " " Curtains 20 ft. 5 in.
" At'ic of Centre Pavilions 15 ft.
" " Corner Towers 13 ft. 6 in.
" Crowning Statue 37 ft.
" Figures on Centre Dormers 17 ft. 6 in.
" " Corner Dormers 12 ft. 10 in.
Comparative Heights of the Principal Buildings in the World
City Hall, Philadelphia 547 ft. 3;^ in.
Cologne Cathedral • . 510 "
(ireat Pyramid . . 480
Stratsburg Cathedral 468
St. Peter's, Rome 448 "
St. Stephen's Cathedral, Vienna 441 "
Salisbury Cathedral 404
Forcacio of Cremona 396
Friburg Cathedral 38S "
Amiens Cathedral 383
Church of St. Peter, Haml)urg 380 "
The Cathedral, P'lorence 376 "
Hotel de Ville, Brussels 374 "
Torre Asinelli, Bologna 370 "
St. Paul's, London - . 360
('hurch of St. Isaac, St Petersburg . 336 "
Cathedral, Frankfort-on-.VIain • • . . . . 326 ''
Bell Tower, St. Marks, Venice 323 "
Hotel des Invalides, Pari< 310 "
U. S. Capitol, Washington ■ ■ • 287 "
Masonic Temple, PhilacJelphia 230 "
Philadelphia's City Hall Compared with Other Cities
CITY
si/.F, put* t
FLOOR AREA, SQUARE
FEET
TOTAI. COSl
Philadelphia
Detroit ...
470 X 486
332 X 284
180 X 140
238 X 149
1,147,672
212,170
187,792
184,839
$25,000,000
600 000
Chicago
St. Louis
Cincinnati
Richmond •
Baltimore
4,500,000
2,000,000
1.500,000
1,500,000
2.281,135
LIBRARY nl CONGRESS
Two Cooies Received
JUN »-iJ«wa
*CLA5S A ^Xc, No.
'copy w
\j-
AN ACT.
For the Erection of the Pubhc Buildings.
./// .Icf to proi'idc for the erection of all the Public Biiildiiii^s required to accom-
modatc the Courts, and for all Municipal purposes, in the City of PhiladelpJiia.
and to require the appropriation by said City, of Penu Squares, at Broad and
Market Streets, to the .leadeiny of P'ine Arts, the .leadeniy of Xatural Sci-
ences, the Franklin Institute, and the Phila.delphia Library, in the cz'cnt of the
said squares not beiny; selected by a 'I'dte of the people as the site for the
Public Buildinys for said City.
Section i. Wq it enacted by the Senate and I Tonse of Representatives of
the Conimonweahh of Pennsylvania, in (leneral Assembly met, and it is hereby
enaeted by the authority of the same: That TiiKonoRi-: Cuylkr. John Rick,
Samui-:[. C. ]'i:rki\s. Joiix Price Wetherill. Lewis C. Cassidv, Hl•:^•R^■ M.
PiiiLLirs, William L. Stokes, William Devixi:, the Manor of iin-: Ci ia' oi"
Philadeli'Iiia, and the I'residents of Select and Common Councils, for tlie
time being, are constituted Commissioners for the erection of the Public lUiildinL^s
required to accommodate the COurts. and for all Munici])al ])ur])oses, in the City
of Philadelphia, who shall organize within thirty days, i)rocure such plans for ihc
said buildings adapted to either of said sites hereinafter named, as in their judgmeiil
may be needful ; appoint of their own number a president, and from other than tlieir
own number a Secretary, Treasurer, Solicitor, a competent Architect and assistants
and other employees : hx the com])ensation of each ])erson employed by them, and
do all other acts necessary in their judgment to carry out the intent of this act in
relation to said Public liuilding's ; fill any vacancies which may happen b\- dcalli,
resignation, or otherwise, and if in the judgment of said Commission the}- shall
deem it advisable to increase their riumber, they may, b\- a vote of a majcndty of
their whole number, increase said Commission from time to time to any number
not exceeding thirteen. The said Commissioners are hereby authorized and
directed to locate said buildings on either \\'ashington Square or Penn S(|uare, as
may be determined by a vote of the legally qualiiied voters of the Cit_\- of Philadel-
ph\a at the next general election in October, iMie thousand eight hundred and
seventy, and the Sherifif shall issue his proclamation and the L'it_\- Commissioner^
and other proper ofihcers of said City shall provide all things that may be needful
to enable the voters to decide by ballot their choice of a site for said Public Pudd-
ings, and the Return Clerks shall certify to the Prothonotary the result of said elec-
tion in the usual form re((uired for other elections. And as soon as said choice is
determined by a vote of the people, as provided in this act, the said Commissioners
shall, within thirty days thereafter, advertise for proposals, and make all needful
contracts for the construction of said buildings as soon thereafter as may be found
practicable, which contracts shall be valid and binding in law u])on the Cit}' and
upon the Contractors, when ajiproved by a majority of the said lioard of Commis-
sioners ; and the said Commissioners shall make re([uisition on the Councils of said
City prior to the tirst day of December in each year for the amount of money re-
quired by them for the jnn-poses of the Commission for the succeeding year, and
said Councils shall lev}' a special tax sufficient to raise the amount so recjuired.
Pro:'itJcd. Tliat said Councils may at an\- lime make ap])ropriations out of the
annual tax in aid of tlie purposes of this act. And pro7'idcd further. That the
amount to lie expended by said Commissioners shall he strictly limited to the sum
re(iuired to satisfy their contracts for the erection of said buildings and for the
proper and eomi)lete furnisliing thereof: and as soon as an}- ])art of said liuildings
mav be completed and furnished ready for occupancy they shall be occupied by
the' Courts, or such branch of the. Municipal (Government as they are intended for
by said Commissioners; and upon the eom]:)letion of a sufficient portion of said
buildings to accommodate the Courts and Municipal Officers, the buildings now
occupied by them respectively shall be vacated and removed, and upon the entire
completion of the new buildings, all the ])resent buildings on Independence Square.
exce])tTndependence llall, shall be removed, and the ground placed in good con-
dition bv said Commission as part of their duty under this act, the expense of which
shall he paid out of their general fund jirovided by this act. and thereupon the said
Independence S(|uare shall be and remain a ])ublic walk and green forever.
And he it further provided , That in the event of Washington Square being
selected by a majority of votes as the location for the said I'ublic Iknldings. then
and in that event the Councils of the City of Philadelphia are hereby authorized,
empowered and recpiired to set apart for and convey by proper deeds or grants of
conveyance, or by proper assurances of the right to occupy said squares, which the
Mayor of the Citv of Philadelphia shall duly sign and execute under the seal of
said City, the four scjuares of ground known as Penn Squares, located at the inter-
section of Broad and Market Streets, in the City of 1 Philadelphia, as laid down on
the present map of said City, one to each of the following institutions: the Acad-
emv of b'ine Arts, the Academy of Natural Sciences, the Franklin Institute and the
Philadel])hia Library, for the ]')urpose of allowing them to erect thereon ornamental
and suitable buildings for their respective institutions. The location of such build-
ings and the plans thereof to be approved by the Commissioners a])pointed under
this act. and their successors in office, together with the time of erection, and all
other matters a])])ertaining thereto: Provided, ]\owever. That all exi)enses con-
nected with said conve}-ances, plans and other information ref[uisile for the said
Commission to have shall be paid by the institutions respectively. In the event
of the ultimate selection of Penn Squares as the site for said Public lUiildings. the
said Commission shall have authority and they are heieby empowered to vacate
so much of Market and of Broad Streets, as they may deem needful;
Provided, liozee'ver, 1diat the streets passing around said buildings shall
not be of le>s width than one hundred feet. it >liall be the duty of
the Ma\or, the Citv Controller, City Commissioners and City Treasurer,
and all other officers of the Cit\-, and also the dulx' of the Councils n\ the
C'it\ of riiiladelphia. to
uch acts in aid and promotion of the
intent and purpose of this Act of Assembly as said Commission may from time to
time re(|uire. All laws and parts of laws restricting the uses and pur])oses of said
.S(iuares, or anv t)f them, that may be in conllict with the intention ;ind ])ur])ose of
this act. be and the same are hereby repealed.
!'.. r.. SlKANC,
Sfienker of tlie House of k'efi-eseutatives.
Cii.\i/' ///<■ Senate.
Approved the liftli da\- of August, Anno l)oinini one lliousand eight hur.-
dred and seventy.
joii X W. ( ii: Auw
SUMMARY
of Legislative and Municipal action relating to the work.
The earliest movements relating" to the present undertaking" consisted in the
passage of an ordinance by the City Councils, approved December 31, 1868, pro-
viding for the erection of Municipal Buildings on Independence Square, and desig-
nating Commissioners to carry the same into effect.
The first meeting of the Commission was held in the Select Council Cham-
ber, January 7, 1869.
Architectural designs were advertised for on the 5th of x\pril, 1869, and on
the 1st of September following, plans and drawings had been received from seven-
teen different architects.
At a meeting of the Commissioners, held September 27th, 18O9, the first pre-
mium was awarded to John McArthur, Jr., architect, of this city, and on the 27th
of the following December Mr. McArthur was appointed Architect of the work,
and proposals for labor and materials were ordered to be advertised for.
Contracts were awarded on the i6th of January, 1870, and arrangements
made for commencing" the work.
A strong opposition to Itidependence Scjuare, as the site for the Municii^al
Buildings, had existed in the public mind from the earliest movements in that
direction, and as the Commission proceeded with their preparations for carrying
out the provisions of the ordinance under which they were acting, the opposition
became daily more intensified, until it culminated in the passage of a law by the
Legislature of the State, approved August 5, 1870, providing for the erection of
the Public Buildings either on Washington Square or on Penn Square, as the
legally qualified voters of the city of Philadelphia might determine, at the general
election to be held in October, 1870. The election resulted, out of a total of 84,450
votes, in a majority of above 18,000 in favor of the site on Penn Square, which
finally disposed of the question. The passage of this law rendered the municipal
ordinance of no effect, and relieved the Commissioners acting under it of further
duties.
The first meeting of the Commissioners under the new law was held on the
27th of August, 1870, at the Mayor's offfce. A temporary organization was
effected by the election of the Mayor, Daniel AL Fox, as President, and Eugene G.
Woodward, Secretary.
September 15, 1870, John McArthur, Jr., was elected Architect of the work.
October 4, 1870, a permanent organization was made, and John Rice was
elected President, Charles B. Roberts, Secretary, and Charles H. T. Collis,
Solicitor.
The removal of the iron railings which inclosed the four scjuares on Broad
and Market Streets was commenced on the 27th of January, 1871, and this niay
properly be considered as the date of the actual beginning" of the work, and August
16, 1871, the ground was formerly broken l)y the President of the Commission.
October 12, 1871. Francis De Haes Janvier was elected Secretary, in place
of Air. Roberts, resigned, and John Sunderland was elected Superintendent.
April 7, 1872, the original plan for one building on the intersection of Broad
and Marlset Streets, iiistead of four buildings, divided by these streets, was finally
resolved upon.
The first stone was laid on the 12th of August, 1872. in the southwest
angle of the foundations by the President.
On the 17th of April, 1872, Mr. Rice resigned as President of the Commis-
sioners, and Samuel C. Perkins was elected in his place, and has held the office
continuouslv ever since.
The contract for the granite basement was awarded Xoveniber 19, 1872. for
$515,500; and work was commenced at the 1)uildings under the contract March
24, 1873. The contract for the marble work of the superstructure was awarded
on the 7th of ( )ctober, 1873, for $5,300,000; and the first block set at the southern
entrance. jul\' 3. 1874.
The corner-stone was laid in the northeast angle of the tower jul\- 4, 1874.
with Masonic ceremonies, by the 1\. \\ . (irand Master of 1". and A. M . of i'enn-
sylvania ; and the last block of marble was set in place ]May 7, 1887, on the tower
at the southwest angle, t,;:,/ feet 4K> inches from the ground.
Xoveml)er 4. 1873. W'ni. ('. Mcl'hersou was elected Sui)eriutendeiU. and
entered upon his duties Xovember 10, 1873. and continued in office until 1893.
December 2. 1884. Charles II. T. L\)llis resigned his ])osition as Solicitor
to the Commissioners: and .'^anmel I'eltz was on the same date elected to fill the
vacancy.
[anuar\- 5. 1885, l'"rancis I)e Ilaes Janvier. Secretary died : and on l''ebniar_\-
3. 1885. W'm. 1'). Land was elected to fill the vacanc_\- caused b_\- the death of Mr.
Janvier.
Januar\- 8. i8(X). John McArthur. jr.. the Architect, died.
Januarx' 15, 1890. John ( )r(l was elected Architect, and entered ui)on his
duties February 1. 1890.
December i, 1893. Henry J. Scott was elected to fill the vacancy of Solicitor
to the Commissioners on the resignation of Samuel Peltz.
December 1. 1893. '- ^^- ^"- ''>l<''i" \\;^^ elected ."superintendent in place of
William C. Mcl'hersou. resigned.
I'ebruarx- (>. i8(j4, W. I')le(ld\n I'owell was elected Architect, and entered
u])on the duties of his office lA'brtiary 14. 181)4.
The amount of api)ropriations made by Councils to |anuar_\- i. i8(j8 —
$21,121.7^0.03.
i<;oi the sti"ucture was jjractically finished, and the Legislatiu'c passed an
act transferring the building to the city authorities. The act was signed by ( iov-
ernor Stone on May 1 Hh. i<)Ol. to take efifect on Jtdy 1st.
Cp to date, the smii $25,000,000 has been expended by the Commission.
|ul\- 1, i<;oi. b\- ( Irdinance of C'ouncils. the lini--hiiig and maintenance of
City Hall was placed in charge of the lUireau of Cit_\- I'ropert}'.
THE EXTERIOR
DESCRIPTION OF BUILDINGS.
The Exterior
.\ tendcMicy exists in the ])ul)lic mind to seek to classify every considerable
arcliitectural desii>n under the head of some '"order" or "style" ; but modern g^enius
and taste deal so largely in original adaptations of classic and other forms, that we
often tind no small difficulty in deciding under which, if any, of the heretofore
established orders or styles many of the most important structures of the present
day can projjerly be classed.
The architecture of the New Public lUiildings is of this character. Tt is
essentially modern in its leading features, and presents a rich example of what is
known by the generic term of the "Renaissance," moditied and adapted to the
varied and extensive requirements of a great American municii)ality.
It is designed in the spirit of French art, while, at the same time, its adapta-
tion of that florid and tasteful manner of building" is free from servile imitati(»n.
either in ornamentation or in the ordinance of its details.
This immense architectural pile is located at the intersection of liroad and
Market Streets, in the City of Philadelphia, it covers, e.xclusive of the court-yard,
an area of nearly 4^ acres, and consists of one building, surrounding an interior
court-yard. The north and south fronts measure 470 feet, and the east and west
fronts, 486 j/2 feet in their extreme length.
The four fronts are similar in design. In the center of each, an entrance
pavilion, 90 feet in width, rises to the height of 202 feet loy^ inches, having reced-
ing wings of 128 feet elevation. The fronts terminate at the four corners with
towers or ])avilions of 51 feet square, and 161 feet high.
The whole exterior is bold and effective in outline and rich in detail, being
elaborated with highly ornate columns, pilasters. ])edinients. cornices, enricheil
windows and other appropriate adornments.
Archways of 18 feet in width l)y 30 feet in height, oijcning through each
of the four central pavilions, constitute the four principal entrances, and at the same
time afford passages for pedestrians up and down I'road and Market Streets,
directly through the building.
'Jhe basement story is 18 feet 3)A inches in height, and stands entirely above
the line of the pavement. Its exterior is of fine white granite, of massive propor-
tions, forming a fitting base for the vast superstructure it su]iports.
The exterior of the building above the basement emljraces a princi])al story
of 33 feet 6 inches, a second story of 35 feet 7 inches, and a third story in the centre
pavilions of 26 feet 6 inches, with an attic over the central ])avilions of 15 feet, and
over the corner pavilions of 13 feet C) inches, all of white marlile, from the Lee
quarries, in Ijcrkshire County, Massachusetts, wrought, in all its adornments, in
forms of exquisite l)eauty, ex])ressing American ideas and developing American
genius. The small rooms opening upon the court-yard are each sub-dix'ided in
lieight into two stories.
The Interior
The buildings from the exterior on each of the four fronts, e\clusi\e of the
centre and corner pavilions, present a basement slor_\- or ground fioor, with three
principal stories, the uppermost one 1 eing a mansru'd story. These stories, above
the basement, are in portions di\-ided by mezzanine or Irdf-s'iories, which .are espe-
cially to be noticed from the eourl-yard. The centre and corner pa\ilions risi'
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NORTHERN ENTRANCE AND TOWER
al)i)V(.' tlir adjacent wintjs ami curlain>, with attic >l(iric> : the corner ])a\ilii>n> hein^'
(:)ccn])ie(l h\' iicla^nnal staircases.
The structure, which i> a.-- near fire i)rn()f as human skill can make it, con-
tains ()^^4 rooms. Liivinj^- ami)le provi^inn for the accommodations of the tOurl- and
for all Munici])al Departments, and a numher of sur])lus rooms for u>e in the
classification and preservation of the archives of the C'ilw for stora.^'e, and for in-
creased accommodations, which will nndouhtedl}' he re(|uired by the natural in
crease of the public business, and the accumulation of the ])ul)lic records.
The several stories are a])proached by 20 elevators, located at the corner-
of the leadint;" corridors, so as to facilitate the intercourse with the public offices
courts, and other branches of the j^'overnment located in the various fioors. li.
addition to these means of apjjroach, there are lar^e staii'wavs in the four cornel
])a\^ilion^, and a staircase in the centre pavilions on the north, south and east
fronts.
Includini^' the sub-basement and the mezzanine stories, there are nine
lloors in the l)uildinj:i", the rooms in each tloor hein^- on the same level. To eacl
of these fioors an even one hundred numbers have been assi^^'ned. commeiicinu;- al
the north entrance and following;- round the buildings to the east, south, and we>i
fronts, and returning- to the north entrance; twenty-five numbers beini;" assignee,
for each quarter of the bui'dini;". The rooms facin.i;" the streets will haw the ever
nttmbers. and tho^e overlooking' the court-yard the oild numbers. The number^
in each one lunidred will be assi.^ned to the rooms of correspondini;' numbcr^
immediateU' above and ])elow upon the other fioors. Thus, for e.xample. room^
numbered 40, 140. 240, ,^40, 440. 540 and (^^o will be immt'diatel\- one over tin
other.
All the other six lloors are exact counter])arts of the first fioor, llie number
in"' of the rooms on each fioor increa^^inL;■ exacth' 100 numbers.
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The Exterior of the Northern Entrance
The keystone of the arch consists of a carved marhle head of W'ilUani Penn
surmounted on either side by spandrels of a Western Pioneer and Indian, repre
sentins^' the Progress of Civihzation. The central window of the second hoor ii^
embellished on the west side with a bas-relief representing Poetry, and on the east
side by Architecture : on the west side of the central window of the third floor is 2
statue, representing- \ictory, and upon the east side that of Fame : over the window
is the coat-of-arms of Pennsylvania. We now come to the dormer window.
L"l)on the west is a statue of a Xorthman, and on the east that of a Xorthwoman
and capping the dormer window are two reclining statues representing a Puritar
and Layman, thus showing that in its entirety the northern entrance is emblemati
cal of the North.
The Interior of the Northern Enrtance.
The tiat portion of the wall is of ( )hio sandstone, base of i)ilasters, red
g'ranite blocks, resting" on moulding of polished blue granite, and surmounted will;
moulding" of carved and polished red granite, upon which the main pilasters rest
The cornice consists of carved panels representing" Ct^nmerce, ]\Iechanics. Archi
tecture. Poetry, Science, Music, Navigation, IJotany, The Freedom of the Pallot
Education, etc.
The walls are laid in dark blue. lK■a^•ily-ve■ined I'enn marble, liiglil_\' juil
ished. Four archways enter from the four sitles. The arches are turned in the
same marble as the walls, and the keystones are of lighter blue marble, carved tc
typify the four ccintinents. ( )ver the south door is the head of a tiger, rejiresenting
Africa; over the east an elephant, representing Asia; over the north a bullock
representing Europe, and over the west a bear, representing America.
The walls are ornaniented with heav\- s(|uare pilasters of red granite, resting
on blue granite l)ases. and surnioimted b\- capitals of sandstone carved to represent
the bodies of children of the fom" principal races — Caucasian. Mongolian, Ameri
can and African.
riie ceiling is supported b\' four massive cohnnns of ])olished red grrmite
three feet in diameter, resting on blue granite bases, and surmounted by sandstont
capitals of original designs, representing" the heads and bodies of men and women
of the four races — the liidian. American; the Caucasian, lun'o])e; the Xegro
Africa; and the Mongolian, Asia — their arms extended al)o\e tlirir heads, in tht
attitude of holding heav_\' weight.
The ceiling is entirel}" of sandstone. hea\'il\" ])anelled and elaborately carved
and composed of blocks of stone weighing from i i to 14 tons each.
( )n the east side of this entrance, about the centre, situated in a well, lighted
!)}• electricity, is the corner-stone, a block of fine white marble, weighing" about
eight tons. Upon the u])per :~ide of the stone a cavity was made, in which wa^-
placed an hermeticall_\-sealed copjier box, in which were deposited coins, docu
ments, newspapers of the daw etc., etc. ( )ne face of the stone is exposed to vie\\
from the interior space, and upon the face is cut the following inscription:
CORNER STONE
of Western I'ioneers,
tyiiical of the West.
Interior of the Western Entrance.
ddu' walls are of ])laiii, t^'ray stone ; the keystone of tlie inner arehwaw whicli
is sandstone, is scul])tured iiUo a head, surroundjd 1)\- chains, txpifxinL;' I'ain. ( )n
the panels on eilhcr side are two ,L;'reat threatenin;;- timers, and c:ir\-in^s of tliorns
and thistles, >h iwii\i^- that the way of the trans,i;-ressor is hard.
Exterior of the Corner Pavilions.
Situated on each of tlie four corn.ers are the i)a\ilions, each 50 feet S(|uare
and tCii feit in hei'^iit. all hein;^- elahorated with highly ornate colunms, cornices,
and richly sculptured spandrels. The northwe-t ])avilion i^ emhellish.ed with carv-
in<^- typical of knowded^'c. Manufactures, I'inance, Commerce, hidnslrx', etc.
The northeast pavilion, with carvins^s representin;:;- Lihertw War, XaviL^a-
tion. Manufactures, etc.
The southeast ])avilion, with car\in,L;s of Astronomw Chemistry, Art,
Science. I'\an';e. Peace, etc.
The southwest pavilion, with carvings of A;.;Ticultm-e, I lorlicuUure, I'oetry,
ATusic, Spring', Autunm, etc.
Interior of the Corner Pavilions
Each c;irncr ])avilion contains a wonderful specimen of the architect and
huilder's art, cor.sistini^" of a solid sclj -siif'/' dr/nti:^ i^ranite staircase. 150 feet in
hei-ht.
The Court- Yard
Tn the ceritre of the structure is the court-}-ard, 200 feet scpuare. wdiich, to-
j^'ether with two open areas, 45 x ()() feet, atiord ahundance of li;-;iit and air to all
adjacent ];ortions of the huildini^^-. The principal stories facini^- the court-yard are
divided l;y a mazzanine or half-story, affording- increased space for smaller rooms.
The Tower.
From the north side of the court-}'ard rises tlie j^'rand tower, the archi-
tectural triumph of the present age. 90 feet square at the base, gracefully falling
off at each story until it becomes at the spring- of the dome ( which is 315 feet above
the level of the court-yard) an octagon of 56 feet in diameter, tapering- to the
height of 84 feet, wdierc it is crowned with a statue of William Penn, the founder
of Pennsylvania. 3'') feet 8 inches in height, thus completing the extraordinary
altitude of 547 feet 3' 2 inches, making it the highest artificial construction in the
world, while at the same time it possesses the elements of firmness and stal:)ilit_\'
in a degree superior to those of any known structure of like character.
The foundations of the tower are laid on a bed of solid concrete, eight feet
thick, at the depth of 20 feet below the surface of the g-round. and its walls, wdiich
at the base are 22 feet in thickness, are built of dressed dimension stones, weig-hing
from two to five t(^nes each.
The marble work, which finishes at 2^7 feet 4)/2 inclies above the pavement,
is capped with large granite blocks, 18 inches thick. The windows at this emi-
nence are ornamented on the four ^idcs l)y liandsonie sjiecimens of the sculptor's
art, representing Fire, Water, Earth and Aii.
The metal superstructure commences at this point, with the clock-story,
rising 67 feet 8 inches. The balance of the metal work, the external covering of
the dome, rising 105 feet 7 inches, including the four eagles, the four groups of
figures representing the four quarters of the earth, and the statue of William I'enn,
are all made and constructed of aluminum bronze.
The elevator and e(|uii)ment have Ix'en ci)m])leted and tlioroughly tested
by the builders. It will carry passengers to a height of 371 feet 4 inches above
the seventh fioor of the City Jlall. or to a jjoint about 500 feet al)ove the street
level.
There are onlv two places in the world where passengers are carried in
elevators to a greater altitude, and these are the EitTtel Tower and the Washington
monument. The view from the latter, however, is limited, and though its elevator
ascends to a higher point than the base of the Penn statue, persons daring enough
to climb through the big statue will be several feet above the top landing stage of
the monument. Thus on the broad l)rim of Tenn's hat a view from tlie liighest
point of any structure on the American continent can ]je obtained.
The new elevator, which will accommodate twelve passengers comfortably,
has a running speed of 280 feet per minute. It is ojierated by two three-(|uarter-
inch steel hoisting cables, each with a safe-load capacity of 3500 pounds, and is
equipped with the most approved safety devices. These include automatic stops,
which are ap])lied when a greater speed than 300 feet a minute is attained. The
efficiency of these brakes was demonstarted by severe tests, one of which was the
dropping of the car loaded with 4000 pounds of brick. It was released at the ninth
floor and dro])ped. but had gone down only one story when the safety stops auto-
luaticalU- locked and brought the car to a standstill without jar or >train.
Passengers will be landed by the elevator at the ti]) of the dome, and above
them will tower the big statue. The i)latf()rm encircled ))>• the arc lights, u])on
which they can stand and view the city, seems very small from the >treet, but in
reality it is roomv enough to comfortably accommodate a score of i)erson>. There
is an absence of the customary vibration that induces timiditw and the tower seems
as solid as the ground below. This is due to the construction of the great shaft,
its entire weight being carried right through to the foundations, independent of
the balance of the building.
b'rom above the city presents an appearance of great cleanliness, and it
seems i)Ossible to droj) a stone intt) either the Delaware or Schuylkill from the
great height. lUiildings that are gigantic from the street assume the proportions
of toy houses when viewed from the tower. Every i:)oint of the city lies in sight
under foot, and tlie suburban settlements within the radius of a dozen mile^ are
l)lainl\' visible. * )n clear days Trenton can be seen. 35 mile- away.
The statue represents William I'enn. resting one hand, containing a scroll.
on a section of a tree trunk, with tlie other hand outstri'tched as if making an
address. Jls greatest wiilth to tlie tips of his outstretched lingers is n; feet. The
width across the shoulders is <) feet, and the waist measure is 2() feet 4 inches. The
long coat of Quaker cut, reaching a jjoint midway to the knee, is i<) feet S inches
k)ng. 'Jlie leg in one ])lace has a circumfei-ence of 15 feel, and from the ankle to
the knee-joint measures over 8 feet, .\round the calf of the leg measures <) feet,
and the foot lacks onlv an inch of being feet long. The w idth of the shoe is 22
inches and the sole is 3 inches thick. The bows on the front of the low-cut shoes
measure 2 feet and 2 inches in diameter. The arm, from the shoulder to the tip
of the middle finger, is 15 feet and 8 inches long, the finger in question measuring
28 inches on the outside of the hand. The latter, from the finger ti])s to the wrist,
measures 4 feet, all but 2 inches, and is 29 inches wide across the palm. The
buttons on the coat and vest are 6 inches and 4 inches respectively in diameter, and
the meshes in the "point lace" cuffs measure i)/ inches.
His Nose a Foot Long.
I'hc mouth (»t the [)lacid-looking face would easily take in a whole turkey
in one bite. It measures 14 and i^ inches across. The nose is i foot and 3 inches
long, and the eyes, measuring 10 inches across, are more than a foot apart. The
eyebrows project 3 inches and the pupils of the eyes are 3 inches in diameter.
The ears are covered, as in the style of his period, by the hair worn long, the latter
falling to the shoulders, and measuring 4 feet 4 inches. The head itself is 4 feet
in diameter. The hat is 3 feet high and 7 feet long. The curl on the sides of the
hat is heavy, and its dimensions this way is 6 feet.
The letters on the scroll that I'enn bears in his hand are six inches long,
and are a faithful re])ro(luction of the I'-nglisli characters used at that time. It
bears a seal of Charles 1 1. two feet in diameter, and on the ex])osed page it has the
following inscription :
Charles II, King of l^ngland, b'rance.
Defender of the b'aith. To all to whom
these presents shall come. "( Ireeting."
Whkrea.s, Our trustie and well beloved
subject, William I'enn. Esquire, Sonn
and heir of Sir William Penn, deceased,
etc.
How He is Built.
The average thickness of the statue is three-eighths of an inch. Its greatest
thickness is one and one-half inches at the feet, and it grows gradually thinner until
at the head it is only one-fourth of an inch thick. President Schumann, of the
constructing company, explained that it was necessary to mould it in that way
because the statue must be self-supporting and bear a wind ])ressnre of fifty pounds
to the square foot. It is fastened down to its pedestal b\- one hundred and twenty
bolts one and one-half inches thick through the soles of the ^hoes and the tree
stump.
The 28 Memorial Lamps.
One of the most beautiful ceremonies ever witnessed any where took j)lace
at midnight on October 3, 1908, as a ]irelude to Founder's Week, when 2B< school
girls in white and with sashes of \ellow and blue, the cit\' colors, chri>tened the
new lamps on the City Hall plaza.
Thousands of persons were there to see the first lighting of the 28 burners,
on each of the 28 bronze standards, representing the 28 districts that by consoli-
dating in 1854 made the Greater Philadelphia.
Thousands of peoi)le filled the streets. Xot a light shown from the massive
building. The hundreds of windows on all four sides were dark and silent. Then
the crowds heard the beat of drums and the notes of the cornets. They knew the
Founder's Week ceremonies had begun as the Third Regiment Pand began playing
"Philadelphia." Th.ev could be seen, not heard that was all, as they marched like
phantoms in the darkness.
WILLIAM PENN 37 Feei High
Back of the phantom hand came Httlc sprites three ahreast, the middle
figure larger thati her C()in])anions. each hearing a silk American hag. There were
2S rows. These girls were to (L'(licate the standards, those on t'ach side were
escorts of hon(M\
h\illowing in the rear was James Hazk'tt, jr., .Son of James Ma/.lelt, I're^i-
urn faced the p-ost. with the officials hack of him. Then Vj\m\
At. I'laphy step])ed forward. A'oung liazlett held the wand against the glass
gl()l:es. The g"irl pressed a hutton at the bottom of the wand. .\t the other end
a small electric light twinkled.
Then the voice of I'rofessor John 1). Mahoney, of the .Xortheast Manual
Training- School, in charge of the ceremony, rang out in loud, clear tones:
"I christen thee in memory of hTankford township," and as though the
electric lig'hts had caught the s])irit of fire from the magic wand the 2S globes
hashed forth their light.
The band ])la\'ed. the crowd cheered and the first standard had l)een dedi-
cated.
Uetween the marches from post to ])ost the band i)layed the "Salute to the
Colors," until the last ])ost was reached. "1 christen thee in memory of Cerman-
town Township," said Professor Alahoney.
Louisa M. Schmitz pressed the button in the wand and the lights tlaslied
in the lamp.
Chief William AIcLaughlin, of the Electrical lUireau, then touched the
button which sent the current coursing along the wires and the ( Irand lluilding was
ablaze from ])laza to William Penn with thousands of lights.
The marble structure stood out in cidumns of fire. Every projectitMi wa*^
outlined in a sparkle of light. Lights in rows, lights in series, glowed from tower
to ground floor.
.\t the four entrances there s])rang out in letters of fire the message:
■"IMiiladelphia Maneto."
■"Welcome."
The immense crowd cheered again and again as they gazed at the s;i;)erl)
si^ectaclc. l'^)un(kr"s Week had opened in a "Idaze of ( !lory."
What Maneto Means.
The word Lhiladel]ihia was selected by Wilham I'emi and means 'Mh-otlierly
Love." The word "Maneto" in the seal of the city is the third perso:i singular.
fiUure imperative of the Latin verb, "maneo," which means '"remain" or ""con-
tinue." I'.v coniJMning- the two words. '"l'hiladel])hia Maneto," the meaning of tlie
founder is shown: "'Let Ih-otherly Love Continue."
The Roof.
reached by the elevator on S. E. corner, is of solid asphalt, almost level, forming
a grand promenade of about three acres in extent, for all who choose to avail
themselves of it. h^rom this altitude the views of the city and its surroundings —
north, south, east and west — are magnificent, extending for miles in every direc-
tion.
The Great Clock.
\\'hen the wire connectin,^- with the elock in the Washing-ton Observatory
ticked the mic to the rear, the arbor is bevel-
geared to a bra>> >hal'l, which extends thirty feet downward to the dial mechanism.
This is enclosed in a hardwood and glass-capped ca>e, and consists of beatitiful
machinery, in the way of ratcluts, ])awls and wheels. .Motion is given this
mechanism by compressed air, which travels t'or 600 feet, through tnl)es. and is
governed by the master clock on the 7tli floor of the tower. The air is compressed
into a cylinder of 400 gallons ca])acit\' and kept at uniform pressure by two one-
horse-power electric motors. I'.itlur of the motors is capable of doing the entire
work, but both are kept in service, operating on the srnne shaft, so in the event of
an accident to one, the other will maintain the full ])resuildings demonstrates what an element of l)eauty and success a thing,
which first thought may conceive to be of minor imjiortance, can become, (iroups
of rooms will be finished differently, the handsome varieties of mah()gan\- and oak
being utilized.
For example, in rooms 2"]^ and 285, 202 and 296, of the group occui)ied by
the Court of Common Pleas, a beautiful effect is achieved by the introduction of
Honduras mahogany, polished and carved with massive simplicity, the vivid
coloration of the natural wood blending with the warm hues and tones which pre-
vail in the Terratza and mosaic work of the floor and tlu' wainscoting of Tennessee
marble. Court rooms 246 and 254, 243 and 253, are hnished in white mahogany;
quartered oak is used in the rooms for the ()r])hans' Court on the foin-th floor, and
Santa Domingo mahogan}-, a superb variet}' of this wood, in the Cdmicil Cdianil)ers.
Councils' Gates.
The Massive, but His^Iily Ornate dates that Caani tlie Coniiiors Leading:; Into the
Couneils' Chambers.
The gates which guard the entrance to the quarters of Councils at Cit\- 1 lall
are marvels of beauty, strength and uniqueness, and it is doubtful if they have
an e(|ual in the world. The men who made them are ])roud of their work, and
say that nothing about the big marble pile will be productive of greater admiration.
No piece of ironwork was ever constructed as fine as this, and it will require
the seeing of them to get an idea of the gates' splendor. They are in grill work,
after the Renaissance style, light, graceful and elaboratel\- carved, but possessing
a strength almost incredible.
The work is simply marvellous, h^xcept for the cast-iron sockets, n|)on
which the gates swing, ever\- leaf, every dower and everv ])iece of scrollwork i>
of wrought iron, hammered out and fashioned into sha|)e purel}- by hand.
lu'cry bar in this magnificent production has been carved b\- the chi>el.
though, looking at the embellishments, this seems almost impossible.
There is not a casting in the whole immense fabric. .Swedish and Russian
iron, with American mild steel, beaten into beautiful and fantastic shapes by mil-
lions of hammer l)lows, are the only vehicles of the artist's inspiration which have
been permitted to enter this work, l^ven the ke\' is hand-made, ])nnched and tiled
and hammered.
I'Vom the hand-chased and tiled knol) u])on the gate to the repousse work
on the iron masks thai adorn the four corners of each gate ])(tst. no machine tool
h;is l)een allowed to mar the individnalit}' ol' a single element of the structure, how-
ever insignificant, 'fhere are nearly 200 little acorn-shaped pieces, wrought of
interwoven, interwelded strips, and each one rejiresents seven days' work of a first-
class workman. I',ach curving stem and vein in a hundred branching leaves has
been channeled out by the ra])idly falling blows of light, llat-headcd hammers.
This one feature illustrates the care that has been taken with the whole.
The gates swing on ])ivots let into the lloor so easily that a l)o\' could ]>ush
them open. ( )n the other hand, when shut and locked, a regiment would find it
hard to i)ass, for the iron has been carefull}- chosen and is without llaw. All tlu'
different ])ieces fit with mathematical exactness, and ilie loeks are stowed a\\a\
out of the reach of hammer or jimmy, behind llie iron frame where llie double
gates meet. This fastening is strengthened b\ two liea\\ Ixills. shot ])\ mniing
the handle, one into the fixed iron framework abo\e. anotliei' into a socket below.
The gates and adiuncts are iS feet in width and 14'.' feet in heii^ht, and
weigh about three tons, b.aeh half of the dn\v. is a roo\u of
splendid area, hcin^' seventy feet in len,L;tli and tifty feet wide, is decorated after the
style dictated !)}■ the luxurious taste of the i'jupire.
'Idle ornamentation on the walls and arotnid the ^ahled pediment of the
['resident's rostrum abounds in the reminiscences of the fusion of l-Li^vptian,
(Ircek and Renaissance elements, and their effect of showinj;' architectural
decorations, is intensified 1)\' the introduction of marhleizetl columns covered with
.qilded stucco work. These columns, five in numher. are made of ])a])ier mache
u])on genuine marhle bases, and stand aloni^- the east and west sides of the room.
su])])ortin^i;- twin i;alleries.
'idle seats of the members are arranged in semi-circles l)etween these two
rows of marbleized columns, i'acing' the President's chair is the only window in
the rocjui. which frt)nts upon the street. It is a very larj^e one. triple-sliai)ed.
Hanked ])y ionic columns. This affords ample lii^ht durini^- the day, and at night
brilliantly illuminated by 406 incandescent electric lamps set in plaster rosettes in
the ceiling;- and under the ,t;alleries. Set hig-h in the wall, over the C'hairman'->
desk, are several semi-circular windows, fitted u]) with stained ,^lass. through which
the li^ht from the fifth floor corridor falls subdued.
'idle tloor in this room is similar to that in .'select Council room, adjoinim.;'.
The twin j^alleries. which are reached from the fifth Hoor corridor, are beautiful
works of art.
The}- are 58 feet loiii;' and 13 feet wide. The columns wdiicli support them
extend bcN'oiid the heavy mahogany balustrades to the ceiling'. The rich coloring
of these marbleized columns, with the delicate plaster tracer}- with which the\- are
covered, harmonize i)erfectly with the dark-red tiling of the walls.
Common Council chamber is, if possible, the more gorgeous of the two
halls. ( ireen is the i)revailing color, but a rich dark green, not crude nor obtru-
H\e. but restful to the e\'e. It forms the body color of the heavy Wilton car])et,
into which the foot sinks luxuriantly at every step, and api)ears in the ilraperies
o\er the doors and windows, 'idie silken curtain, with \dluminous folds that
screens the large north windows, is also green, but somewhat lighter slnde than.
the carpet and draperies.
'Idle canopy over the I 'resident's seat is tlie n)ost striking feature of lb.'
chamber. It is said to be patterned after the impel ial dome of the b'.mpress
Jose])liine. now in the Tuileries. The draperies start about ten feet above the
rostrum, and art' held b\- a small dome somcwdiat suggestive of an imperial crown.
The draperies are of dark green velour. embroidered with dull xellow and gold
threa-i!ile sjidw > the
UKisaic desii:!! in --omewhat bi'ighter colors than in the ( omir.on Council Chambt'r.
On tlie walls lian.q; a miinhcr of pnrtrail^ of lliosc who have l)cen prominent
in imhlic life, inclndiiiL;' tliose of Washington and Lincoln. I'esides the two ehani-
hcTs. there are eoniniittee rodius, ['resident^ retiring' r(>i>ni>, tlu' aparlnient> nf
the clerks of Councils, cloak and tuik't rooms, making- in all 15 roums. located on
tlic -[th and 5th lloors.
The Supreme Court Rooms.
The suite of rooms now iiidslie(l p.ermar.cr.tly for the use of the .Su])reme
Court of renn>\lvania arc on the -onlh front of the fourth lloor of the huildin^;',
and can lie reachens be-
tween the i)anels bein^- car\atic fliL^ures sxinlxilical of Law. justice, jurisprudence,
etc. These ti!4Ui"es are in ])air-. abtmt -'4 ' „• inches hi'^b. are beaulifnll) modelled,
and supi)orl a hneh'-moulded and enriched cornice of bronze about 7 inclies hi'^'h.
in front of the bench, distant about 4 feet '> inches from the ends, is the bar, ;;
>trai^'ht, heav\- balustrade of dark m;dto,^an\ : .and about 10 feet froin the otlu'r vud
of the room, corresjiondini.^' with the curved bench, is a curved rail with seat
attaclied. inside of which the floor sjiiice is dcN'otol to the use of members of the
bar. and outside of which are chairs for the general public.
( )n the wall back if\ []\c bencli, to the south, is a memori.al to John l'.a:v
nister (iib-on. Chief lustice of I 'ennsylvania from .May iS. 1SJ7, to Dc^'Uibtr 1,
1H31. It consists of an Italian marble ])orlrait bust, the ])ro])ert_\' of the I. .aw
.\:-S()ciation. and which is ])laced in a niche in a tablet of Caen -tone. ha\inL;- sid.-
pilaster^ and i)ediment head delicatel\' car\ed in a somewhat severe and simjili-
Ionic st\le. The frieze of the tablet bears the inscri])tion. ".\ plciidiihi fecit arhilria.
rt iitii ji'sUilis f-'liint."
( )ccnp\'iniL;' a corres|;on(linL;' position on tlu' north -ide o| tlu' bench is a
memorial of ( ieorL^e Sharswoo(l. Chief ju-tice from 1870 to iSSj. It is in the
form of a medallion three-(|uarter portrait bn-t in bronze, set in a tablet of C'aen
^tone of the same i^eneral size as the (libMiu tablet, but ditTerinL;- in detail and
desii^-n, wliicli is in a more free classic style, a circular ])anel in tlu' entablatm-e con-
taining;' car\e(l representations of an owl and -ome books, symbolical of Wisdom.
( )n the west wall of the court-room, in position corrcspondini^' with those of these
tablets, are liuni.;- i)ortraits in oil of bjlward Shippen, C"hief justice from December
18, 17<)<), to b\Truar\- 2(\ iMo^i. and of Will.i:im Til^'hm.an. who immediately suc-
ceeded him and continne appointment>, eminently convenient and
suitahle for the purpose of stnd_\' and con>ultation. and the decorative eliect is
striking]}- rich and dignified.
( )f the adjoinin.g room to the west, the front or southern portion is arrang-ed
as a toilet-room, in wliich are |)rovi(led a hath-room, two water-closets and a lava-
tor}' of two wash l)asins. These fixtures, as well as the pluml)ing-, are of the most
ap])roved and modern sanitar_\- descri])tion ; and the lloors. and also the walls to a
heig'ht of nine feet, are laid with tiles in soft, cool shades and (iuiet pattern>. The
supply of water comes directl)- in a special and private main laid hy the Commis-
sioners to supply the Imilding from IJelmont J\eservoir. and the pressure is very
>trong- and constant; and the hath and hasins are e(|ually well supplied with hot
water. The other end of this room is used as a rohing'-room. each of the Judges
liaving a mahogan\- wardrohe in which the judicial rohe is kept. The lloor ol
this ])ortion is reused two feet, so as to lie on the same le^■el as the llencli of the
ci lurt-ri K im adjoining'.
Orphans' Court.
( )rphan>' Court ro:)ms ou the fourth lloor. consist of i^\c principal rooms.
The Corinthian st_\de is repealed in nuniher 4J0. a room 32 feet long", 45 feet wide,
and ,^0 feet high, extending, as do all the imi)ortanl court rooms and ct)uncil cham-
hers. through two stories. The a])i)earance of si)aciousne>s and freedom are
accented h\' a flood of light ])ouring in unrestrainedl}' through an immen>e triple
window. 21 feet wide and 24 feet high.
Tile Doric style is elTeclively em])lo_\ed in the completion of rooui Xo. 432,
of the >nile to he occu])ied h\' the < )r])lians' Court, on the east side, ox'erlooking
I'.ro.ad v^treet. The treal;nent throughout is simple, grax'e and ])hil()Sophical.
forming a -triking antithe-is lo the light and delicate Ionic st_\le, and the more
voluptuous a.nd elaliorated lines and cur\-e> of the Corinthian rooms. The archi-
tectural decoration of the mom relies eiuirely on sinrple Dorian element^, ihe
echinus, the fret, and the astragal, the lines of the eiitahlature. capitals and columns
remaining unl)roken and se-\ere.
m 15
iifOi)
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