Those lots @ both corners of 13th and Washington are own by Broad and Washington Corp.

Agreed. Does everyone think South Philly was virgin forest before clearance in the mid-to-late 20th century left us with parking lots? Washington Avenue was a dense industrial district where hundreds of people (probably thousands but I don't have figures) were employed through the 60s. Didn't they flush too?

Here's the 1942 Land Use map (this image stored on Flickr at http://www.flickr.com/photos/lblanchard/353901331/ -- land use maps and other historical maps available at http://www.philageohistory.org/ ):


National Licorice Company

Built: c. 1927
Architect: Steele, W. & Sons

Address: 1301-1319 Washington Ave.
Municipality: Philadelphia City, Philadelphia County


National Register Status: Undetermined
Resource Category: Building



Key Number: 051575
Inventory Identification Number: 51481
Survey Code: 101-061-81560-01301
PHMC Administrative Actions:

Data from PHMC via http://www.philadelphiabuildings.org/

EDIT: Interestingly, A.B. Kirschbaum (at Broad & Washington), operator of a loft building for clothing manufacturers, was involved in a labor dispute that made it all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court in 1942.

http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/cgi-bi...=316&invol=517

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Train Line right on Washington..

hehe...

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Foundrys lined Washington Ave according to my mother.

The project is for the Cirque du Soleil lot owned by Southwark Metals and what was called "the caboose." The neighbor said there was something mentioned at the meeting that the owner of SM is requiring the purchase of all the lots owned by SM, which are many on Washington.

I was hoping to skip the meeting on 1/17 and that someone from HEC was on this board since that group really impressed my neighbor with their knowledge of the ins and outs of zoning and the development business.

Mmm licorice.

Yeah remember when the surveyors were out in Hawthorne taking measurements and whatnot a couple months ago. Didn't we speculate it had something to do with developing on the Cirque lot?

I hope whatever they do it's beautiful because the school next to it deserves it. Then again, anything would help this part of Broad that is so dilapidated with crap chains, gas stations, and empty lots that serve for a one time purpose like circuses and flea markets.

slightly OT, but in my architectural digest there was an ad for the Ritz Carlton condos - and it said.... "Philadelphia...the next greatest city"

Isn't that nice?

That's great news that they want to purchase several lots! I remember the surveyors and I asked them why they were doing it - they just said it was a big project, but didn't know the details. Cool! (I hope they break ground in the next 10 minutes )

Right. Still there till the 1990s. There's a real reason long-time residents of SWCC referred to South of Washington as "across the tracks."

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"Train was for the war" ????

Train was there before the Civil War... During the Civil War Broad and Prime (as Washington was called in those days) was the primary departure point for troops bound for the war. They landed at Prime on the Delaware, were fed sumptuous meals by the various "Refreshment" charities, marched down to Broad & Prime, and then boarded trains for the front. There were also several big military hospitals at that corner. The lot opposite the "Cirque" lot held a huge passenger terminal, which is where Abraham Lincoln's funeral train came in. Lincoln's body was then placed on a hearse and drawn north up Broad Street.

If one were feeling meditative, one might say that the lot where the passenger terminal once was is hallowed ground.

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Hey Lat - they just might be breaking ground in 10 minutes.

I was late to work today so didn't have much time - but on 13th between Wash and Carpenter I saw some sort of trucks that first looked like Circus trucks, but in my quick 50mph drive by I think they actually may be construction dudes and their snazzy trucks.

I may be wrong - but then again what else would they be doing there in a gated empty parking lot?

At lunch I will sniff around and get a confirmation.