Treasure
Philly!

BROAD, GERMANTOWN, ERIE: 1940S-1950S
“Fifty years ago a stranger was able to find his destination in Nicetown by telling the conductor of the horse car the name of the person he wanted to visit. That is not possible today, but some of that village atmosphere still exists.
This knack of maintaining an independent, progressive community within the shadows of the industrial colossus it has become, is a characteristic of the area.
Unlike other places where the appearance of industry has made surrounding homes merely appendages of the factory, Nicetowners give their stores, homes, parks and churches a personality apart from surrounding industries – which, incidentally, are their life’s blood.”
-Rex Pollier, “Nicetown - Its Neat Homes Lie in the Shadow of Vast Heavy Industries: Big Smokestacks Tower Over Tree-Lined Streets,” Evening Bulletin, July 8, 1951.
Special Collections Research Center. Temple University Libraries. Philadelphia PA.
“Tioga today is a multitude of things.
The Broad-Erie-Germantown av. intersection is the hub of one of the city’s busiest retail shopping centers.
There are numerous agencies, automobile and used car showrooms and lots, and many large industries. It is a ‘college town.’
And it is still a ‘village of churches’ and of old residences with quaintly curled roof spires and towers.”
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-Peter H. Binzen, “Tioga – The Once-Quiet Suburb Has Become a ‘City’ In Itself: Has Big Business Section, College, Many Churches,” Evening Bulletin, November 4, 1951.
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Special Collections Research Center. Temple University Libraries. Philadelphia PA.
Looking north at the Broad, Germantown, and Erie intersection. 5/17/1940.
​Photo: Wenzel J. Hess.
Photo courtesy of PhillyHistory.org, a project of the Philadelphia Department of Records.


Southwest corner of North Broad Street and Erie Avenue. 1950.
Photo: Parker & Mullikin.
Free Library of Philadelphia Print and Picture Collection.
North Broad Street. 1952.
Photo: Parker & Mullikin.
Free Library of Philadelphia Print and Picture Collection.


Germantown Avenue below Erie Avenue. 1952.
Photo: Parker & Mullikin.
Free Library of Philadelphia Print and Picture Collection.
Southeast corner of North Broad Street and Erie Ave. 1952.
Photo: Parker & Mullikin.
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Free Library of Philadelphia Print and Picture Collection.


Vehicle and pedestrian traffic at the bustling intersection of Broad Street and Erie Avenue. 7/20/1956.
Photo: Dominic Ligato.
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Courtesy of the Special Collections Research Center. Temple University Libraries. Philadelphia PA.
A Philadelphia Streets Department employee rests while servicemen clean the Butler Triangle. 5/10/1956.
Photo: Dominic Ligato.
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Neighborhood cleanliness is an important source of pride in residents’ histories of Broad, Germantown, and Erie.
Courtesy of the Special Collections Research Center. Temple University Libraries. Philadelphia PA.


The Pansy Shop at the Broad Street Arcade, 3625 North Broad Street, and adjacent businesses. 5/14/1959.
Photo: Bender.
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During Treasure Philly! storytelling events, residents recalled shopping at the Pansy Shop and other stores along the vibrant commercial corridor.
Photo courtesy of PhillyHistory.org, a project of the Philadelphia Department of Records.
The Nicetown-Tioga branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia before renovations. 3720-22 North Broad Street. 12/10/1959.
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This building was previously occupied by Linton’s Lunch.
Photo courtesy of PhillyHistory.org, a project of the Philadelphia Department of Records.


Bowlorama at North Broad Street and Erie Avenue. 5/14/1959.
Photo: Bender.
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Photo courtesy of PhillyHistory.org, a project of the Philadelphia Department of Records.
Reverend Leon H. Sullivan and wife Grace Sullivan with children (L-R) Julie, Hope, and Howard, with George Bank (standing). 1959.
Photo: John W. Mosley.​​​
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Courtesy of the Special Collections Research Center. Temple University Libraries. Philadelphia PA.


Southwest corner of North Broad Street and Erie Avenue. 1959.
Photo: Parker & Mullikin.
Free Library of Philadelphia Print and Picture Collection.
Interior of the Casa D’Amour Ballroom. Southwest corner of North Broad Street and Erie Avenue. 1959.
Photo: Parker & Mullikin.
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Free Library of Philadelphia Print and Picture Collection.
