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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[Track meet on City Island, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.]
Aerial views of a track meet on the south end of City Island in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The three bridges that span the Susquehanna River and connect City Island to downtown Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on the east bank of the river are also visible: the Walnut Street Bridge (the People's Bridge); the Market Street Bridge; and the Cumberland Valley Railroad Bridge. One additional railroad bridge is visible south of the island. View is from the northwest side of the island facing southeast towards the track meet, with portions of Harrisburg visible in the distance., Negative numbers: 1505., Manuscript note on negative sleeve: Harrisburg Bridges.
Trenton Fair, Trenton, New Jersey.
Aerial views of the Trenton Fair circa 1922, showing oval-shaped horse racing track and audience stands, and many buildings, including the Manufacturers & Merchants Building, Dairy Cattle, Coliseum, and Auto Exhibit. Also visible are tents, railroad tracks, a Ferris wheel, houses, and parked automobiles., Negative numbers: 2794, 2796, 2797, 2799, 2800, 2810., Record updated with information supplied by former Aero Service employee Carl H. Winnefeld, Jr.
Trenton Municipal Colony, Hamilton Township, New Jersey.
Aerial views of the the Municipal Colony, a complex that included facilities to care for city dependents, including the aged, the homeless, the infirm and those suffering from contagious diseases. The 15-acre complex was located just outside of theTrenton city limits in Hamilton Township, New Jersey. Care facilities included the Home for the Aged and Infirm, the Tuberculosis Hospital, the Children's Hospital for Contagious Diseases (the "Contagion Hospital"), the Venereal (or Urology) Hospital and the Isolation Hospital. Residential buildings housed professional and non-professional staff and various maintenance facilities allowed for the care and upkeep of the complex., Negative numbers: 6008, 6023, 6443.
Trenton Senior High School, Trenton, New Jersey.
Aerial views of Trenton Senior High School, located on Chambers Street between Hamilton and Greenwood Avenues in Trenton, New Jersey. Depicts a large central building adorned with a clock tower undergoing final stages of construction, flanked by two identical smaller buildings on each side with entrances marked by columns. Nearby residences are visible., Negative numbers: P123, P124, P125., P124 and P125 not digitized; negatives are similar views to P123.
[United States Custom House, Chestnut and Second Streets, Old City, Philadelphia].
Aerial views of the Custom House under construction at 200 Chestnut Street (at 2nd Street). Building was designed in the Art Deco style by the architecture firm Ritter and Shay. View looks northeast towards the Custom House from the vicinity of Front and Dock Streets. Much of Old City surrounding the Custom House is visible, as is some of Center City in the distance., Negative number: 16086n., Manuscript note on negative sleeve: New Customs House, Phila. Pa., October 19, 1933.
[University Avenue Bridge under construction, connecting the Grays Ferry and West Philadelphia neighborhoods, Philadelphia.]
Aerial views of the University Avenue Bridge under construction. Bridge spans the Schuylkill River at University Avenue (34th Street), connecting the neighborhoods of West Philadelphia and Grays Ferry. A portion of the University of Pennsylvania campus south of and including Franklin Field can be seen on the west bank of the river, as can industrial buildings on the east bank., Negative numbers: 15778n.
University of Pennsylvania looking east.
Aerial view of West Philadelphia and Center City, from the University of Pennsylvania looking east. Depicts the general area from 36th and Spruce Streets to the Delaware River up to Northern Liberties., Negative number: 7668.
University of Pennsylvania looking north.
Aerial view of the University of Pennsylvania, particularly the Quadrangle dormitories and surrounding area., Negative number: 1587., Record revised with information supplied by former Aero Service employee Carl H. Winnefeld, Jr.
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.
Aerial view of the University of Pennsylvania looking east across the Schuylkill River toward Center City. Includes views of the Quadrangle dormitories, Franklin Field, and the University Museum. Industrial activity along the Schuylkill River can be seen., Negative number: 2896., Record revised with information supplied by former Aero Service employee Carl H. Winnefeld, Jr.
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.
Aerial view of the University of Pennsylvania looking east across the Schuylkill River toward Center City. Includes views of the Quadrangle dormitories, Franklin Field, and the University Museum. Industrial activity along the Schuylkill River can be seen., Negative number: 4308., 4308 not digitized; negative is damaged and cannot be scanned.
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.
Aerial view of the University of Pennsylvania looking east across the Schuylkill River toward Center City. Includes views of the Quadrangle dormitories, Franklin Field, and the University Museum. Industrial activity along the Schuylkill River can be seen., Negative number: 6359n.
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.
Aerial views of the University of Pennsylvania campus and area around Spruce Street from 33rd to 38th Streets. Includes views of the Quadrangle dormitories, Franklin Field, the University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, and the Irvine Auditorium (under construction)., Negative numbers: 7125, 7126, 7127, 7664, 7667.
University of Pennsylvania, West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [graphic].
Aerial view of the University of Pennsylvania's West Philadelphia campus from 33rd Street to the Schuylkill River and from South Street to Market Street. View looking north/northeast from the vicinity of 34th Street and Civic Center Boulevard and shows Franklin Field before it was reconstructed in the early 1920s. The Penn Museum of Anthropology and Archaeology, adjacent railroad yards and residential row homes are all visible, as are bridges across the Schuylkill going to Center City Philadelphia., Negative number: 1588., Record created with information supplied by former Aero Service employee Carl H. Winnefeld, Jr.
Ursinus College, Collegeville, Pa.
Aerial views of Ursinus College, located at 601 East Main Street, Collegeville, Pennsylvania. Includes Bomberger Hall, built 1891. The college was established in 1869 and originally occupied the former buildings of the Freeland Seminary for boys in Collegeville (formerly Freeland). Views show a cemetery across Main Street, surrounding houses, and farmland., Negative numbers: 4384, 4385., Record revised with information supplied by former Aero Service employee Carl H. Winnefeld, Jr.
Ursinus College, Collegeville, Pa.
Aerial view of Ursinus College, located at 601 East Main Street, Collegeville, Pennsylvania. Includes Bomberger Hall, built 1891. The college was established in 1869 and originally occupied the former buildings of the Freeland Seminary for boys in Collegeville (formerly Freeland). View shows construction of a building toward the west end of the campus., Negative number: 14903n.
USS Constitution sailing on the Delaware River, Philadelphia.
Aerial views of the USS Constitution sailing on the Delaware River in Philadelphia. The frigate is surrounded by tugboats and the waterfronts of South Philadelphia and Camden, New Jersey can also be seen., Negative numbers: P291, P292, P293, P297, P298.
Valley Forge National Historical Park
Aerial view of Valley Forge National Historical Park. The park is nationally significant as the site of the 1777-78 winter encampment of the Continental Army under General George Washington. View is from northwest to southeast. The Schuylkill River and railroad tracks along the river are visible. Probably taken September 12-16, 1922., Negative number: 2773., Record created with information supplied by former Aero Service employee Carl H. Winnefeld, Jr.
Valley Forge Observation Tower, Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.
Aerial views of the Valley Forge Observation Tower (also known as the Mount Joy Observation Tower) at the summit of Mount Joy, the highest point in Valley Forge National Historical Park. It was based on plans and specifications prepared by Colonel Emmor B. Cope, engineer with the Gettysburg National Military Park, where four similar towers were constructed in 1895-1896. The "observatory" was intended to provide a view of the historic campground where George Washington and the Continental Army spent the winter from December 19, 1777 to June 19, 1778., Negative numbers: 1682, 1783., Record revised with information supplied by former Aero Service employee Carl H. Winnefeld, Jr.
Van Sciver Corporation, Camden, New Jersey.
Aerial views of the Van Sciver Corporation located on the Camden, New Jersey waterfront along the Delaware River. The Van Sciver Corporation manufactured and distributed building materials in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, including much of the stone and concrete materials for projects such as the Benjamin Franklin Bridge and the piers for major shipbuild facilities along the Delaware River. The facility can be seen from several angles and various types of building materials stacked on the piers and ships sailing nearby., Negative numbers: 6636, 6638, 6640, 6641, 6642.
[Vanity Fair textile mill and environs, Reading, Pennsylvania.]
Aerial view of the Vanity Fair factory building showing nearby row homes and other industrial buildings. Founded as the Reading Glove and Mitten Manufacturing Company in 1899 and later known as Vanity Fair Mills, the company more recently operates as the VF Corporation. View is southeast to northwest. Vanity Fair Mills buildings are on the east side of Coventry Way and south of Buttonwood St. Buttonwood St., Schuylville Ave. and a portion of the Reading Iron Company, Oley St. mill are visible. In addition the homes on the north side of Buttonwood St. between Tulpehocken St. and Gordon St. are still in place. Probably taken September 12-16, 1922., Negative numbers: 2760., Record revised with information supplied by former Aero Service employee Carl H. Winnefeld, Jr.
[Vertical view of Philadelphia.]
Vertical view of Philadelphia of the area roughly bounded by the Poplar Street to the north, Pine Street to the south, the Delaware River to the east, and Logan Square to the west. The approach to the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, the bridge itself, Washington and Rittenhouse Squares, Logan Square, City Hall and piers along the river are visible in this high-altitude view of the city., Negative numbers: 12428n., Manuscript note on negative sleeve: Waterfront, Phila. Pa., May 5, 1930.
Vertical views of Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Vertical views of the New Jersey coastline in Atlantic City taken from a very high altitude. Atlantic City can be seen almost in its entirety, as can a small portion of Ventnor City. Bader Field (now the Atlantic City Municipal Airport) is also visible., Negative numbers: 12493n, 12494n.
Vertical views of Municipal Stadium, Naval Shipyard on League Island and environs, South Philadelphia.
Vertical views of the area of South Philadelphia roughly bounded by Packer Avenue to the north, the Naval Shipyard to the south, 26th Street to the west and the Delaware River to the east. Municipal Stadium (later known as John F. Kennedy Stadium) is visible. Naval vessels can be seen in the harbor and portions of the oil refineries near the Schuylkill River are also visible. View is from a high altitude., Negative numbers: 12413n, 12414n.
Vertical views of Philadelphia along the Delaware River.
Vertical views of Philadelphia of the area bounded by the Spring Garden Street to the north, Reed Street to the south, the Delaware River to the east, and 10th Street to the west. Views are from a high altitude. The approach to the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, the bridge itself, Washington Square, and piers along the river are clearly visible, as are portions of Camden on the east bank of the river., Negative numbers: 12422n, 12423n., Manuscript notes on negative sleeves indicate photos were taken May 5, 1930.
[View of farmland near the Schuylkill River near Bridgeport and Norristown, Pennsylvania.]
Aerial view of farmland on the banks of the Schuylkill River with the cities of Norristown and Bridgeport, Pennsylvania visible in the distance. Manuscript note on image indicates the land might have been slated for development by Belmont Realty Company. Bridges over the river are also visible. The view looks towards the southeast from a vantage point some distance west of Bridgeport., Negative numbers: 8427.
Villanova University.
Aerial views of Villanova University, including St. Thomas of Villanova Church, located at 800 Lancaster Avenue in Villanova, Pennsylvania. The university was founded in 1842 by the Augustinian Order of the Roman Catholic Church. Images probably taken 1921 [1399] and 1922 [1725]., Negative numbers: 1399, 1725., Record revised with information supplied by former Aero Service employee Carl H. Winnefeld, Jr.
W. F. Taubel Knitting Mill, Riverside, New Jersey. [graphic].
Aerial view of the W. F. Taubel Knitting Mill along Lafayette Street in Riverside, New Jersey. Adjacent buildings are likely also be part of a larger factory complex. Railroad tracks and train cars are visible as are two horses pulling a cart through the street (lower left)., Negative number: 1292., Record created with information supplied by former Aero Service employee Carl H. Winnefeld, Jr.
Wall Rope Works
Aerial view of the Wall Rope Works factory plant at Railroad Avenue and Mt.Holly Road in Beverly, New Jersey. Wall Rope Works was an industrial complex of national importance. The heart of the factory was its ropewalk, a long narrow building where strands of material were laid and twisted into rope. The 1,700 foot-long facility was the largest in the U.S. The company supplied rope products for the military beginning with the Spanish-American War; its products were used in the construction of the Kennedy Space Center. View is from northwest to southeast. Railroad tracks and adjacent residential areas are visible., Negative number: 1837., Record created with information supplied by former Aero Service employee Carl H. Winnefeld, Jr.
[Warner Company, Berk Street Wharf, Berk and Beach Streets, Fishtown, Philadelphia.]
Aerial views of Warner Company industrial piers on the Delaware waterfront at Berk Street and Beach Street in Fishtown. Facility is shown in its entirety. Piers are marked number 66 and 67. Ships are docked at the pier and what look like construction materials float on barges. A portion of the area just beyond Delaware Avenue to the northwest of the facility is also visible., Negative numbers: 20672n., Manuscript note on negative sleeve: Warner Co., Berk St. Wharf, Phila, Pa., Oct. 18, 1939.
[Waterfront recreational area, Essington, Pennsylvania].
Aerial views of piers and recreational areas along the Essington waterfront on the Delaware River. Boats are docked at the piers and on the water., Negative numbers: 8691., Manuscript note on negative sleeve: Essington, Pa., 7/6/28.
West Chester Normal School.
Aerial view of the West Chester State Normal School campus located in West Chester, Pennsylvania. Originated in 1812 as West Chester Academy, then was renamed West Chester Normal School in 1871. In 1913 the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania became owner of the school. It was renamed again in 1983 as West Chester University of Pennsylvania., Negative number: 1367., Record revised with information supplied by former Aero Service employee Carl H. Winnefeld, Jr.
Western Electric Company Kearney Works
Aerial view of the Western Electric Kearny Works factory, Distribution Avenue, Kearny, NJ along the Passaic River looking west/northwest. Other industrial buildings along the river are also visible. Probably taken September 1926., Negative numbers: 6595., Record created with information supplied by former Aero Service employee Carl H. Winnefeld, Jr.
Westtown School.
Aerial views of the campus and environs of the Westtown School, located in Westtown, Chester County, Pennsylvania. Views depict campus buildings, including the Main Building designed by Addison Hutton and completed in 1888, from various altitudes and directions. The boarding school was established in 1794 by the Society of Friends and opened in 1799. Images probably taken 1921 [1354, 1384, 1448] and 1922 [1526, 1528, 1605, 1606]., Negative numbers: 1354, 1384, 1448, 1526, 1527, 1528, 1605, 1606., Record revised with information supplied by former Aero Service employee Carl H. Winnefeld, Jr.
Westtown School, showing lake.
Aerial view of Westtown Lake, to the northwest of the campus of the Westtown School, located in Westtown, Chester County, Pennsylvania. Shows lake house. The boarding school was established in 1794 by the Society of Friends and opened in 1799., Negative number: 1447., Record revised with information supplied by former Aero Service employee Carl H. Winnefeld, Jr.
William Cramp & Sons shipyard, Delaware Avenue and Cumberland Street, Kensington, Philadelphia.
Aerial views of William Cramp & Sons shipyard and shipbuilding facilities located on the waterfront in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia along the Delaware River. The yard closed in 1927 and then reopened briefly in 1941 to produce warships. The site does not appear to be very active and few ships can be seen. Distant views of Philadelphia to the south, west and north of the site are visible., Negative numbers: 21976s, 21978s, 21980s, 21981s, 21983s.
William Cramp & Sons shipyard, Delaware Avenue and Cumberland Street, Kensington, Philadelphia.
Aerial views of William Cramp & Sons shipyard and shipbuilding facilities located on the waterfront in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia along the Delaware River. The yard was open from 1830-1927. It reopened briefly in 1941 to produce warships. This set of images includes distant views showing the entire facility from a higher altitude as well as close-up views showing ships, railroad tracks and other details of the industrial site and adjacent neighborhood. Images probably taken 1921 [1468], 1926 [5571, 6646, 6558] and 1927 [7336]., Negative numbers: 1468, 5571, 6646, 6558, 7336., Record revised with information supplied by former Aero Service employee Carl H. Winnefeld, Jr.
Willow Grove Park
Aerial views of Willow Grove Park in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania. Amusement park rides, including two roller coasters, are visible along with two ponds. Croplands and residential housing are visible in the area surrounding the park. View is southeast to northwest. Moreland Road, Old Welsh Road and the train station are also visible. Probably taken September 1926., Negative number: 6571., Record created with information supplied by former Aero Service employee Carl H. Winnefeld, Jr.
Wilmington School.
Aerial view of the Alexis I. duPont secondary school located at 3130 Kennett Pike, Wilmington, Delaware. Depicts school building, outdoor athletic fields, and surrounding farmlands. Groups of people stand on the lawn in front of the building. The school was founded in 1893 and presided at this location until 1966., Negative number: 1441.
Wings Field Blue Bell Pennsylvania
Aerial view of Wings Field, Narcissa Road, Blue Bell, PA. Airplane hangars, runways and surrounding fields are visible. A small single engine propellor airplane sits on the runway. View looks northwest to southeast., Negative number: 19002., Record created with information supplied by former Aero Service employee Carl H. Winnefeld, Jr.
WJZ Radio Station transmission tower site, Bound Brook, New Jersey.
Aerial views of New York City's WJZ radio station's 50,000-watt transmission tower in Bound Brook, New Jersey. In 1925, WJZ was owned by the Radio Corporation of America. The tower stands among farmlands and several buildings and farmhouses, as well as the Raritan River, are also visible., Negative numbers: 6635, 6571a.

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