Views of the greater Philadelphia area taken circa 1920s-1930s by Aero Service Corporation, an aerial photography firm established in Philadelphia in 1919.

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R.C.A.-Victor Talking Machine plant on the Delaware riverfront, Camden, New Jersey.
Aerial views of the R.C.A.-Victor Talking Machine plant on the Camden, New Jersey waterfront near the Benjamin Franklin Bridge. Factory buildings were primarily constructed between 1910 and 1920, based on designs by Ballinger & Perrot, before Victor merged with the Radio Corporation of America (R.C.A.) in 1929., Negative numbers: 8494, 12219n.
Reading Cold Storage
Aerial views of two Reading Cold Storage facilities in Reading, Pennsylania. 11185 and 11186 show Reading Cold Storage facility no. 2 located at 9th and Laurel Streets looking southwest to northeast. 11188 shows Reading Cold Storage facility no. 1 located at Reed and Elm Streets looking northwest to southeast. Railroad yards and surrounding industrial buildings and row homes are also visible. Images probably taken August 21, 1929., Negative number: 11185; 11186; 11188., Record created with information supplied by former Aero Service employee Carl H. Winnefeld, Jr.
Reading Fair, Berks County, Pa.
Aerial views of the September, 1922 Reading Fair showing oval-shaped horse racing track and audience stands. Buildings include the Poultry Building, Cattle Stable, Cooling Barn, and Manufacturers' Exhibit. Also visible are tents, railroad tracks, a Ferris wheel, houses, parked automobiles, and signage for "Burdan's Ice Cream." Muhlenberg Twp. Bldg. at 210 George St. is visible. Historical Society of Berks County in Reading, Pa. has a 3 ft. x 5 ft. print of negative 2771. Views are northwest to southeast. Probably taken September 12-16, 1922., Negative numbers: 2770, 2771., Record revised with information supplied by former Aero Service employee Carl H. Winnefeld, Jr.
Reading Iron Company Foundry, Reading, Pennsylvania.
Aerial views of the Reading Iron Company Foundry in Reading, Pennsylvania. Views show the forge site on the banks of the Schuylkill River from several angles. Surrounding residential areas and business districts are visible. 2764 shows view of the Puddle Mill at West Oley St. from southeast to northwest with Schuylkill River, Tulpehocken Creek, and homes on Eisenbrown St., Tulpehocken St. and Greenwich St. visible. 2766 shows view of Tube Works and Rolling Mill at the foot of South 7th St. along the Schuylkill River from southeast to northwest with buildings at South 6th. St. and Willow St., Bingaman St. Bridge, Penn St. Bridge and Schuylkill Canal visible. 2768 shows view of the mill at north end of N. 9th St. from southwest to northeast in which the buildings along Kutztown Rd. and the Alsace Luthern Church are visible. Probably taken September 12-16, 1922., Negative numbers: 2764, 2766, 2768., Record revised with information supplied by former Aero Service employee Carl H. Winnefeld, Jr.
Real estate development, Absecon, New Jersey.
Aerial views of a real estate development project in its beginning stages in the vicinity of Absecon, New Jersey. View includes homes adjacent to the new development as well as nearby undeveloped farmlands. Atlantic City and Absecon Bay are visible in the distance., Negative numbers: 6215, 6216, 6217, 6219., Manuscript note on negative sleeves: Real estate development nr. Atlantic City, NJ.
[Real estate development by E. A. Havens Company, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania.]
Aerial views of a portion of Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, presumably of land owned and/or developed by the E. A. Havens Company. The wide view shows areas of the city south and west of Lancaster Avenue (U.S. Route 30). A portion of the Main Line railroad tracks are also visible., Negative numbers: 6124a.
Real estate development in Baederwood, Pennsylvania.
Aerial views of real estate and housing developments in Baederwood, Pennsylvania. Views depict areas under construction as well as completed developments and surrounding residential areas., Negative numbers: 5796, 6516, 6517, 6520, 6521, 6522, 6523.
Real estate development in Hughes Park, Pennsylvania.
Aerial views of land in the early stages of development in Hughes Park, Pennsylvania. Views depict the area bounded by Church Road to the north, Crooked Lane to the east and south and railroad tracks to the west. The area is south of what is now the Pennsylvania Turnpike. A housing development in its early stages has only roads delineated. Adjacent farmlands and communities to the northeast of Hughes Park are also visible in the distance., Negative numbers: 5086b, 5087, 5088.
Real estate development in the Glen Afton neighborhood, Trenton, New Jersey.
Aerial views of the Glen Afton neighborhood in Trenton, New Jersey's West Ward. Views show the area at beginning stages of development with only roads delineated and later after just a few homes have been built. Community lies on the bank of the Delaware River, which is visible in the distance., Negative numbers: 5017, 5017a, 5018, 5019, 5020, 5021, 5524, P218, P220, P221.
Real estate development in the Hiltonia neighborhood, Trenton, New Jersey.
Aerial views of the Hiltonia neighborhood in Trenton, New Jersey's West Ward. Views show the development at its beginning stages with streets delineated but very few houses completed. Surrounding developed communities are visible in the distance, Negative numbers: 4814, 5016, 5024, 5033, 5034, 5035.
Real estate development in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania.
Aerial views of real estate development in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania. Views show housing developments as well as adjacent farmlands., Negative numbers: 5801, 6525.
[Real estate development near Colonial Lake, Lawrenceville, New Jersey.]
Aerial views of several houses adjacent to Colonial Lake in Lawrenceville, Lawrence Township, New Jersey. Houses are spaced relatively far apart and are surrounded by farmlands. View shows the lake from the southwest and includes areas that became part of Colonial Lake Park as well as a portion of US Route 1., Negative numbers: 6588.
[Real estate development on the outskirts of Reading, Pennsylvania.]
Aerial view of real estate development along Reading Blvd. in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania. Several homes on Reading Blvd. built before 1920 are still visible. Bausman Memorial United Church of Christ Tower, Yocum Institute for Arts Education, State Hill Rd., Penn Ave. and the Reading Railroad are all visible. View is from east to west, towards Sinking Spring. Probably taken mid-September, 1922., Negative numbers: 2780., Record revised with information supplied by former Aero Service employee Carl H. Winnefeld, Jr.
[Regional planning map of Norristown, Pennsylvania.]
Topographic map of Norristown, Pennsylvania with markings over the top. Includes Schuylkill River., Negative numbers: 52.
Residential area, Absecon, New Jersey.
Aerial views of residential areas and farmlands in the vicinity of Absecon, New Jersey. Some views show an empty lot which may be in the beginning stages of a construction project. Atlantic City and Absecon Bay are visible in the distance., Negative numbers: 6479, 6481, 6483, 6484, 6491, 6492, 6493, 6494., Manuscript note on several negative sleeves: J.J. Cassidy, Atlantic City, NJ.
[Ridge Avenue and Philadelphia & Reading Railroad bridges over the Wissahickon Creek, Roxborough, Philadelphia.]
Aerial view of the Ridge Avenue and Philadelphia & Reading Railroad bridges spanning the Wissahickon Creek in the Roxborough neighborhood of Philadelphia. Bridges cross the river not far from where it empties into the Schuylkill River., Negative numbers: 14387n.
Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus, 11th and Erie, Philadelphia, Pa.
Aerial views of the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus in the neighborhood of North Philadelphia. Depicts vicinity of Butler Street between 10th Street and Old York Road. Delivery trucks and wagons populate the grounds of the circus, which consists of at least five tents and side shows. Adjacent to the circus grounds are row homes, railroad tracks, a streetcar shed, the lumber yard of Charles F. Felin & Co., and Welsh Bros. Coal facility., Negative numbers: 5777, 5784-5787.
Salem High School.
Aerial view showing Salem High School in Salem, New Jersey. Depicts columned entrance of two-story brick school building (constructed 1906) as well as nearby homes, a lumberyard, and pedestrian and automobile activity., Negative number: 1459.
School for the Deaf, Trenton, New Jersey.
Aerial views of the New Jersey School for the Deaf. Depicts construction of the school's West Trenton campus, to which it relocated in 1923 from its original location in downtown Trenton. Residences, fields, and a railroad station are visible in the distance, and Gold Run lake lies in the foreground. The school was established in 1832 as the State Institution for the Deaf and Dumb and first opened to students in 1883. It was renamed New Jersey School for the Deaf in 1900 and the Marie H. Katzenbach School for the Deaf in 1965., Negative numbers: 5542, 5543.
Schuylkill River Improv. Area, December 31, 1930.
Aerial views of the Schylkill River at 30th and Market Streets prior to the construction of 30th Street Station. View shows the area bounded by John F. Kennedy Boulevard to the north, Walnut Street to the south, 32nd Street to the west and 23rd Street to the east including the Schuylkill River and the Walnut, Chestnut and Market Street bridges. The Pennsylvania Railroad yards are also visible., Negative numbers: P138.
[Seaview Country Club, Absecon, New Jersey.]
Aerial view of the Seaview Country Club, a golf club and resort in Absecon, New Jersey, across the Absecon Bay from Atlantic City. The resort was designed by Frank Seeburgerand was built in 1914. The adjacent golf course, Bay Course, is also visible. The property was purchased in 1984 by the Marriott Corporation, who opened the resort and golf courses to the public., Negative number: 6478.
[Ships on the Delaware River, South Philadelphia, Philadelphia.]
Aerial views of ships on the Delaware River with piers and industrial buildings along the riverfront in the vicinity of Oregon and Delaware Avenues visible behind. The city skyline is visible in the distance., Negative numbers: 25663n., Manuscript note on negative sleeve: Waterfront, Phila, Pa.
Simon Gratz School.
Aerial views of Simon Gratz High School and Elizabeth D. Gillespie Junior High School, located at 18th Street and Hunting Park Avenue in the Nicetown section of Philadelphia. Depicts the Academic Gothic style buildings designed by Irwin T. Catharine and built concurrently from 1925 to 1927. Gratz was named in honor of Philadelphia lawyer, educator, and philanthropist Simon Gratz. Views include nearby rowhomes, churches, and industrial facilities such as John Warner Hardwoods & Building Lumber, Beck & Co. Coal Pockets, and John J. Felin & Co., Negative numbers: 7271, 7272.
Sisters of Mercy Convent, Merion, Pa.
Aerial view of the Sisters of Mercy Convent in Merion, Pa. Built between 1892 and 1906 after designs by Edwin Forrest Durang, the building now houses the Merion Mercy Academy., Negative number: 1551.
Somers Point, New Jersey and environs.
Aerial views of Somers Point, New Jersey, with several views looking east towards Great Egg Harbor and Ocean City. The area featured looks as if it is just beginning to be developed, with buildings and other areas of the city visible in the distance., Negative numbers: 5939, 5940, 5941, 5942, 5943, 5944.
[Springhaven Country Club, Wallingford, Pennsylvania.]
Aerial view of the Springhaven Country Club (later called Springhaven Club) currently located in Wallingford, Pennsylvania. The club, Delaware County's first, formed in 1896 in what was then Media, Pennsylvania., Negative numbers: 4242., Manuscript note on negative sleeve: Springhaven Country Club, between Media and Chester, Pa.
SS Manhattan on the Delaware
Aerial view of the S.S. Manhattan on the Delaware River. The ship was built by the the New York Shipbuilding Corporation, which is visible along the Camden, New Jersey waterfront. In 1941, the Manhattan was requisitioned and leased by the US Navy, and was subsequently commissioned as the troopship USS Wakefield. Image probably taken July 1932., Negative number: 15673., Record created with information supplied by former Aero Service employee Carl H. Winnefeld, Jr.
St. Charles Borromeo.
Aerial views of the grounds of Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary located at 100 East Wynnewood Road. Shows original seminary building built 1864-1871 and library opened in 1911, as well as construction of another large building to the southeast. St. Charles Borromeo, founded in 1832 by Rt. Rev. Francis P. Kenrick, tenanted several locations in Philadelphia before relocating to Overbrook in 1871., Negative numbers: 8546, 8547, 8549, 8550., 8546, 8547, 8550 not digitized; negative is damaged and cannot be scanned.
St. Charles Borromeo.
Aerial views showing the construction of a large building to the southeast of Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary's original building located at 100 East Wynnewood Road. Nearby residences are visible. St. Charles Borromeo, founded in 1832 by Rt. Rev. Francis P. Kenrick, tenanted several locations in Philadelphia before relocating to Overbrook in 1871., Negative numbers: 5619, 5622, 5623.
St. Joseph Hospital, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Aerial view showing St. Joseph Hospital on College Avenue in Lancaster, Pennsylvania on what is now the site of the Lancaster Regional Medical Center. View shows the four-story building and surrounding residences and industrial buildings. Hamilton Watch Company complex is also visible., Negative number: 1744., Identified by manuscript on negative sleeve: Catholic Institute, Lancaster., Record updated with information supplied former Aero Service employee Carl H. Winnefeld, Jr.
St. Joseph's Academy, Chestnut Hill.
Aerial view of Mount Saint Joseph Academy, a Catholic school for women founded in 1858 by the Sisters of Saint Joseph. Around 1924 the campus became the site for Mount Saint Joseph College (later renamed Chestnut Hill College), also founded by the Sisters of Saint Joseph to educate women. In 1961 the academy relocated to Flourtown, Pennsylvania., Negative number: 1724.
St. Luke's School, Wayne, Pennsylvania.
Aerial view of St. Luke's School for boys in Wayne, Pennsylvania. Depicts Colonial-style buildings and dormitories and tennis courts surrounded by woodland. Established in 1863 as the Ury House School, it relocated to Wayne in 1902., Negative number: 1440.
Steel Pier, Boardwalk at Virginia Avenue, Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Aerial views of the Steel Pier in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Distant and close-up views show the pier and adjacent hotels and beaches along the Boardwalk. The Steel Pier was one of the major amusement piers built off the boardwalk in Atlantic City at the turn of the century. In 1898, the steel girder structure extended 1500 feet from the boardwalk into the Atlantic Ocean and was expanded to 1780 feet in the 1930s., Negative numbers: 14863n, 14867n.
Robin Hood Dell, Fairmount Park, Philadelphia.
Aerial view of the rectangular music pavilion at Strawberry Mansion in Fairmount Park designed in 1905 by Horace Trumbauer. The pavilion was razed in 1930 when replaced by Robin Hood Dell. View includes the Schuylkill River and Laurel Hill Cemetery., Title supplied by cataloger., Negative number: 12703n., Negative 12703 dated June 23, 1930.
Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania.
Aerial view of the Swarthmore College campus. Buildings depicted include Parrish Hall, which was rebuilt in 1890 after a fire destroyed the original in 1881, and the Sproul Observatory. The co-educational college was founded in 1864 by the Society of Friends. Railroad tracks and a road with automobiles run along the edges of the campus. A water tower and residences are visible in the distance., Negative number: 2869.
Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania.
Aerial views of the Swarthmore College campus. Buildings depicted include Parrish Hall, which was rebuilt in 1890 after a fire destroyed the original in 1881, and the Sproul Observatory. The co-educational college was founded in 1864 by the Society of Friends. Residences are visible in the distance., Negative numbers: 7102, 7103, 7104.
Swedenborgen Theological Seminary.
Aerial view of the campus of the Academy of the New Church in Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania. Depicts Benade Hall and other original buildings constructed in the early 20th century. The institution, founded in 1876, is comprised of a Theological School, secondary schools, and Bryn Athyn College, all associated with the New Church or General Church of the New Jerusalem (commonly known as the Swedenborgian church)., Negative number: 1323.
[Tacony-Palmyra Bridge construction, Tacony, Philadelphia].
Aerial view of the construction of the Tacony-Palmyra Bridge that spans the Delaware River at Levick Street from the Tacony section of Philadelphia to Palmyra, Burlington County, New Jersey (PA/NJ Route 73). Bridge designed by architect Paul Philippe Cret and engineer Ralph Modjeski., Negative numbers: 8496., Manuscript note on negative sleeve: Palmyra Bridge.
Temple Stadium site, Pickering Avenue and East Vernon Road, West Oak Lane, Philadelphia.
Aerial views of the site of Temple Stadium (also called Beury Stadium and Owl Stadium) under construction. Located at the corner of Pickering Avenue and East Vernon Road, on the site formerly known as Vernon Park. The Temple Owls football team played at the stadium until 1978, and it was demolished in the 1980s., Negative numbers: 8396.
Tioga Steel & Iron Company plant, Grays Avenue and 51st Street, Kingsessing, Philadelphia.
Aerial views of factories and industrial buildings in the Kingsessing neighborhood of Philadelphia. Though the focus is on the Tioga Iron and Steel Company plant (absorbed by the Taylor-Wharton Iron & Steel Company in 1913) adjacent industrial facilities are also visible, includingt he Geo. W. Smith Woodworking Co., Breyer's Ice Cream and the Mason Adams Coal Company. Residential areas of row houses and railroad tracks and yards servicing the factories can also be seen., Negative numbers: 7913, 7914, 7915.

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