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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Avalon, New Jersey.
Aerial views of the Avalon, New Jersey shoreline from several angles. Distant views show minimal development in the area and some views extend to Towsends Inlet and Sea Isle City. Wetlands and inland waterways to the west of the city are also visible., Negative numbers: 5932, 5934, 5935, 5936, 6220.
Baldwin Locomotive Works.
Aerial views of Baldwin Locomotive Works, located at Broad and Spring Garden Streets in Philadelphia. Depicts factory and office buildings, as well as nearby industrial buildings. Includes views of the Elverson Building. Baldwin Locomotive Works buildings at this location were demolished in 1937 after the company moved south of Philadelphia to Eddystone, Pa. in 1928., Negative numbers: 8724, 8725., Negative 8724 dated July 30, 1928., Negative 8725 dated July 9, 1928.
Barnegat Bay, New Jersey.
Aerial views showing sailboats and other water craft on Barnegat Bay in New Jersey. Focus is mainly on the boats on the water though some land is visible in the distance., Negative numbers: 7675, 7677, 7678, 7687.
[Barnegat Lighthouse, Barnegat Light, New Jersey.]
Aerial views of the lighthouse at Barnegat Bay. Image shows a small area of beach around the lighthouse and several adjacent structures, including a small pier that extends out over the water., Negative number: 7679., Manuscript note on negative sleeve: Barnegat light house.
Beach Haven, New Jersey.
Aerial views of the seaside community of Beach Haven on Long Beach Island, New Jersey. Includes views of the city and coastline, the Atlantic Ocean and Little Egg Harbor. Boats are docked and sailing in the harbor. Harbor islands are also visible., Negative numbers: P242, P243, P245, P250, P251.
Beaver College, Glenside, Pa.
Aerial view of the campus of Beaver College, later renamed Arcadia University, in Glenside, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1853 in Beaver, Pa., the school moved to Jenkintown, Pa. in 1925. In 1929 it added the Glenside campus, formerly the estate of William Welsh Harrison. Called Grey Towers, the Gothic Revival stone castle was designed by Horace Trumbauer and built 1893-1894., Negative number: 17352n.
Belmont Mansion, Fairmount Park
Aerial view of Belmont Mansion on Belmont Mansion Drive in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia in winter. View is slightly southwest to northeast and shows structures in the complex which no longer exist (possibly built for the 1876 Centennial Exposition). Abandoned railroad is visible. Built by William Peters ca. 1742-1751., Negative number: 1150., Record created with information supplied by former Aero Service employee Carl H. Winnefeld, Jr.
Benjamin Franklin Bridge, Camden approach, Camden, New Jersey.
Aerial views of the approach to the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, originally named the Delaware River Bridge, on the Camden, New Jersey side of the Delaware River. Bridge was constructed from 1922-1926 and spans the river to connects Camden to Philadelphia. The approach, portions of the bridge and the area immediately surrounding the approach are visible. Commissioned by the Interstate Bridge and Tunnel Commission of New Jersey and the Delaware River Bridge and Tunnel Commission of Pennsylvania, the bridge was designed by architect Paul Cret and engineer Ralph Modjeski. Located at 5th and Race Streets in Philadelphia., Negative numbers: 6645, 6734, 6735, 6804.
Benjamin Franklin Bridge construction, Old City Historic District, Philadelphia.
Aerial views of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, originally named the Delaware River Bridge, under construction over the Delaware River from 1924-1926. The riverfronts of both Camden, New Jersey, and Philadelphia are visible. Commissioned by the Interstate Bridge and Tunnel Commission of New Jersey and the Delaware River Bridge and Tunnell Commission of Pennsylvania, the bridge was designed by architect Paul Cret and engineer Ralph Modjeski. Located at 5th and Race Streets. Probably taken 1924 [4299-4300]; 1925 [4827-5186]; and 1926 [5556]., Negative numbers: 4299, 4300, 4827, 4869, 4881, 5003, 5166, 5167, 5176, 5179, 5181, 5184, 5185, 5186, 5556., Record revised with information supplied by former Aero Service employee Carl H. Winnefeld, Jr.
Benjamin Franklin Bridge, Old City Historic District, Philadelphia.
Aerial views of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, originally named the Delaware River Bridge. Bridge was constructed from 1922-1926 and connects Camden, New Jersey to Philadelphia over the Delaware River. Distant and close-up full and partial views of the bridge and the riverfronts of both Camden and Philadelphia. Commissioned by the Interstate Bridge and Tunnel Commission of New Jersey and the Delaware River Bridge and Tunnell Commission of Pennsylvania, the bridge was designed by architect Paul Cret and engineer Ralph Modjeski. Located at 5th and Race Streets., Negative numbers: 4866, 5916, 5917, 5996, 6272, 6343, 6802, 6803, 6805, 7274.
Berkshire Country Club, Reading, Pennsylvania.
Aerial view of the Berkshire Country Club golf courses and club house. Bern Township Sports. Surrounding farmlands and the Schuylkill River are also visible. View 2712 is southwest to northeast. View 2765 is southeast to northwest with Schuylkill River visible on right side of image. View 2786 is from south to north with clubhouse visible. Probably taken September 12-16, 1922., Negative number: 2712, 2765, 2786., Record revised with information supplied by former Aero Service employee Carl H. Winnefeld, Jr.
Boardwalk and City Park Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Aerial views of the coastline in Atlantic City, New Jersey. View shows the boardwalk, beach, and other areas in the vicinity of City Park., Negative numbers: 5644.
Boger and Crawford textile mill, vicinity of J and Venango Streets, Nicetown-Tioga, Philadelphia.
Aerial views of the Boger and Crawford yarn processing plant in the Harrowgate section of Philadelphia. The facility sits near row homes, a playground, Harrowgate Square and Frankford elevated tracks near tioga Station. An area of what appear to be croplands is visible across the street from it., Negative numbers: 19843s., Manuscript note on negative sleeve: Boger & Crawford [plant], Phila, June 26, 1939.
[Bryn Athyn Cathedral, 1001 Cathedral Road, Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania.]
Aerial views of the Bryn Athyn Cathedral, or the General Church of the New Jerusalem, built 1914-1919 by Raymond Pitcairn and Cram, Goodhue & Ferguson. Commonly known as the Swedenborgian church. 1467 shows the Church of the New Jerusalem from southwest to northeast. Cairnwood is also visible., Negative numbers: 1366, 1467., Record revised with information supplied by former Aero Service employee Carl H. Winnefeld, Jr.
[Bryn Athyn Cathedral, 1001 Cathedral Road, Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania.]
Aerial views of the Bryn Athyn Cathedral, or the General Church of the New Jerusalem, built 1914-1919 by Raymond Pitcairn and Cram, Goodhue & Ferguson. Commonly known as the Swedenborgian church., Negative numbers: 4804, 5032, 5189a.
Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania.
Aerial view of the Bryn Mawr College campus. Depicts stone buildings in the Collegiate Gothic style, many designed by the firm Cope & Stewardson and constructed circa 1890-1907. The women's college opened in 1885., Negative number: 1790.
Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania.
Aerial views of the Bryn Mawr College campus. Depicts stone buildings in the Collegiate Gothic style, many designed by the firm Cope & Stewardson and constructed circa 1890-1907. The women's college opened in 1885. Views show adjacent residential and industrial areas., Negative numbers: 5849, 5852.
Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania.
Aerial views of the Bryn Mawr College campus. Depicts stone buildings in the Collegiate Gothic style, many designed by the firm Cope & Stewardson and constructed circa 1890-1907. The women's college opened in 1885., Negative numbers: 12480, 12481, 12483., 12481 not digitized; negative is damaged and cannot be scanned.
Buckman Farm, Middletown Township
Aerial views of the Buckman Farm at Highland Avenue and Hulmeville Road in Middletown Township, Pennsylvania, near Langhorne. Distant view (5828) shows the farm amid surrounding croplands, farms and houses. Closer view (5829) shows a large white barn, possibly with livestock in the yard. Probably taken May 1926., Negative numbers: 5828; 5829., Record created with information supplied by former Aero Service employee Carl H. Winnefeld, Jr.
Byberry Hospital.
Aerial views. Depicts original hospital buildings including male and female dormitories or "groups" constructed between 1906 and the mid-1920s in the Byberry or Somerton section of northeast Philadelphia. Established in 1907 as Philadelphia Hospital for Mental Diseases, it was renamed Philadelphia State Hospital when the state of Pennsylvania took over the operations in 1936. Closed in 1990, the buildings were demolished 2006-2008., Negative numbers: 5501, 5502, 5503, 5504, 5505, 5506, 5507, 5508, 5509, 5510, 5519, 5520, 5521, 5523., 5521 not digitized; negative is damaged and cannot be scanned.
Byberry Hospital and Northeast Philadelphia.
Aerial views from high altitude. Includes original buildings of the Byberry Hopital complex constructed between 1906 and the mid-1920s in the Byberry or Somerton section of northeast Philadelphia. Established in 1907 as Philadelphia Hospital for Mental Diseases, it was renamed Philadelphia State Hospital when the state of Pennsylvania took over the operations in 1936. Closed in 1990, the buildings were demolished 2006-2008., Negative numbers: 20313s, 22518s, 22520s., Negative 20313 dated September 18, 1939.
Bynden Wood mansion
Aerial views of Bynden Wood on Cushion Peak Road in South Heidelberg Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania, near Wernersville. Ownership of the mansion changed several times after its construction ca. 1888-1889 and it became alternately a private summer home, sanitorium and resort. It was demolished in 1954, but the auxilary buildings still exist on what is now the South Mountain YMCA grounds. View [11177] is northwest to southeast with Cushion Peak road in the center of the photograph. View [11180] is southwest to northeast, reaching out over 2.5 miles from the aircraft’s position over Cushion Peak Rd. The Jesuit Center located on the east side of Wernersville is visible in the upper left corner of the photograph. Penn Avenue, the Reading Railroad, Preston Road and Belle Alto Road are also visible. Virgil Kauffman is believed to be the photographer. Reading Eagle, probably taken August 22, 1929., Negative number: 11177; 11180., Record created with information supplied by former Aero Service employee Carl H. Winnefeld, Jr.
Camden High School.
Aerial view of Camden High School, located at 1700 Park Boulevard in Camden, New Jersey. Built 1915 after designs by Paul Armon Davis, III. Opened 1918. View includes portion of the Cooper River., Negative number: 1717.
[Carpenter Steel Company, Reading, Pennsylvania.]
Aerial views of the Carpenter Steel Company plant on the banks of the Schuylkill River in Reading, Pennsylvania. Surrounding croplands and Berkshire Country Club golf course are visible in the distance. View is south to north. Probably taken September 12-16, 1922., Negative numbers: 2775., Record revised with information supplied by former Aero Service employee Carl H. Winnefeld, Jr.
Carson College for Orphan Girls
Aerial view of Carson College for Orphan Girls, also known as the Carson Valley School, in Flourtown, Pennsylvania. Depicts several interconnected, two-story stone buildings on a landscaped campus designed by Albert Kelsey. The buildings remain in active use by the related institution Carson Valley Children's Aid. View is west to east with West Wissahickon Avenue, Bethlehem Pike and surrounding farmland and residences visible., Negative number: 1552., Title supplied by former Aero Service employee Carl H. Winnefeld, Jr., Manuscript note on negative sleeve: Chestnut Hill School, Record revised with information supplied by former Aero Service Employee Carl H. Winnefeld, Jr.
Catholic College, Chestnut Hill, Pa.
Aerial view of Mount Saint Joseph College, a Catholic liberal arts college for women opened in 1924 by the Sisters of Saint Joseph. Also the site of Mount Saint Joseph Academy until 1961. Renamed Chestnut Hill College in 1938. Became coeducational in 2003., Negative number: 13591n.
Catholic Mass at Municipal Stadium, South Philadelphia, Philadelphia.
Aerial views of Catholic mass held at Municipal Stadium, later known as John F. Kennedy Stadium, in October, 1926 as part of the Sesqui-Centennial International Exposition. Crowds are gathered inside and outside the stadium and a blimp flies overhead. Broad Street, trolley station and other exposition buildings are also visible. Stadium was designed by the Philadelphia firm Simon & Simon. Located at 3601 Broad Street in South Philadelphia., Negative numbers: 6616-6622.
Charles E. Ellis College for Fatherless Girls, Newtown Square, Pennsylvania.
Aerial views of the Charles E. Ellis College for Fatherless Girls in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania. Depicts stone cottages (built circa 1923 after designs by John T. Windrim) surrounded by farmland. The school was established in 1919 with a bequest from Charles E. Ellis (1835-1909), who earned his wealth in the transportation industry. The school closed in 1977., Negative numbers: 5392, 5394.
[Charles Lindbergh Reception, Municipal Stadium, South Philadelphia, Philadelphia].
Aerial view of the reception honoring Charles Lindbergh at Municipal Stadium, later known as John F. Kennedy Stadium, in 1927. Lindbergh's nationwide tour celebrated his successful first trans-Atlantic flight. People seated in the stands. Area immediately surrounding the stadium is also visible. Stadium was designed by the Philadelphia firm Simon & Simon. Located at 3601 Broad Street in South Philadelphia., Negative numbers: 7928.
Charles Warner Company factory plant, Cedar Hollow, Pennsylvania.
Aerial view of the Charles Warner Company factory plant in Cedar Hollow, Pennsylvania, near Malvern. Depicts strip mining facilities, including processing plants, silos, smokestacks, railroad tracks and freight cars, and quarrying activity. The surrounding area is mostly open land, with some residences and farms visible. Originally the Cedar Hollow Lime Company, the factory was purchased by the Warners in 1899. Views are northwest to southeast [2857], southeast to northwest[2859] and east to west[2870]. Town of Devault, Yellow Springs and Charlestown Roads and St. Peter church and cemetery are also visible [2859]., Negative numbers: 2857, 2859, 2870., Record revised with information supplied by former Aero Service employee Carl H. Winnefeld, Jr.
Chester Military Academy, Chester, Pa.
Aerial view of the Pennsylvania Military College (1892–1966) in Chester, Pa. Depicts a multi-storied building adorned with a cupola and double staircases up to a portico. The college, founded as the Bullock School for Boys in 1821 and known as the Pennsylvania Military Academy 1862-1892, relocated from Wilmington, De. to Chester, Pa. in 1868 and was reincorporated as Widener University in 1979., Negative number: 4247., Record revised with information supplied by former Aero Service employee Carl H. Winnefeld, Jr.
Chestnut Hill Academy.
Aerial view of Chestnut Hill Academy in the St. Martin's area of Chestnut Hill. Depicts the u-shaped building constructed 1883-1884 after designs by G. W. & W. D. Hewitt that was formerly the Wissahickon Inn and which the academy occupied in 1898. Also shows nearby estates primarily established by Henry H. Houston. Chestnut Hill Academy was founded in 1851 as a boarding and day school for boys., Negative number: 7292.
Church Farm School, Penna.
Aerial views of the Church Farm School in Exton, Chester County, Pennsylvania. Depicts original school and residential buildings, mainly designed 1918 by Milton B. Medary, Jr. of the firm Zantzinger, Borie & Medary, as well as surrounding barns and farmlands. Founded 1918 by Rev. Charles W. Shreiner as a boarding school for boys, with the goal of combining religious education with agricultural and industrial work., Negative numbers: 4774, 4776-4778, 4781, 4783.
City Hall and Penn Square, Broad and Market Streets, Philadelphia.
Aerial views of Philadelphia's City Hall, originally known as the New Public Buildings, and Penn Square at Broad and Market Streets in Philadelphia. Built from 1871-1901 after the designs of architect John MacArthur, Jr. with Thomas U. Walter as a consultant on the project. Views show City Hall from the north in its entirety as well as a vertical perspective that looks into the interior courtyard., Negative number: 14412n, 15887n.
Coastline, Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Aerial views of the coastline in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Distant views show the shoreline in sections from the vicinity of Ventnor City to the Absecon Inlet. The boardwalk, hotels and piers are somewhat visible., Negative numbers: 5650, 5966, 5967, 5968, 6204, 6206, 6207, 6211, 6212, 6480.
Construction of airplane hangars
Aerial views of airplane hangars under construction at the site of what is now Philadelphia International Airport. Starting in 1925 the Pennsylvania National Guard used the site (known as Hog Island) as a training airfield. The site was dedicated as the "Philadelphia Municipal Airport" by Charles Lindbergh in 1927, but it had no proper terminal building until 1940. 5924 shows a view of the hangars from southwest to northeast along Island Avenue. 5926 shows a slightly more distant view from west to east including the Schuylkill and Delaware Rivers, Philadelphia Naval Shipyard as well as the hangers under construction. The Pennsylvania Rail Road is also visible. Probably taken May 1926., Negative numbers: 5924; 5926., Record created with information supplied by former Aero Service employee Carl H. Winnefeld, Jr.
[Construction of the Ridge-8th Street Subway.]
Aerial views of the Ridge-8th Street Subway (later known as the Broad-Ridge Spur) under construction. The approach to the Benjamin Franklin Bridge at 5th and Race Streets and the adjacent Franklin Square are visible, as is the area bounded roughly by Callowhill to the north, Market Street to the south, Front Street to the East and 10th Street to the west. The Ridge-8th Street Subway opened in 1932., Title supplied by cataloger., Date from manuscript note on negative sleeve: Eighth st. Subway, Frank. Square; Phila. Pa.; June 13, 1931., Negative numbers: 14407n.
Crescent Boulevard Bridge, Collingswood, Camden County, New Jersey.
Aerial views of the construction of Crescent Boulevard Bridge. Initial construction began in 1926 of Crescent Boulevard (US Route 130/30) over the Cooper River in Collingswood, New Jersey. The bridge is in Cooper River Park. Portions of Camden, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and the Delaware River are visible in the distance., Negative numbers: 6775, 6776, 6777, 6779., Manuscript note on negative sleeve: Crescent Blvd, 1928., 6777 not digitized; similar view to 6779 with more detail on left side.
[Crescent Boulevard, Collingswood, New Jersey.]
Aerial views of Crescent Boulevard (US Route 130/30) in Collingswood, New Jersey. Crescent Boulevard Bridge over the Cooper River and portions of Cooper River Park and Collingswood are visible. Initial construction on Crescent Boulevard Bridge began in 1926., Negative numbers: 8317., Manuscript note on negative sleeve: Crescent Blvd, 1928.
Crown Can Company plant, vicinity of I Street and Erie Avenue, Juniata Park, Philadelphia.
Aerial views of the Crown Can Company plant in the Juniata Park section of Philadelphia. Other industrial facilities can be seen, including those of Richardson's Mints and Cuneo Press. The Crown facility spans several city blocks and sits adjacent to the Bellvue Cemetery, a stadium, railroad tracks and areas of row homes. A trolley car is visible on the trolley tracks., Negative numbers: 19842s, 19848s, 19849s., Manuscript note on negative sleeve: Crown Can Co., Phila, Pa., June 26, 1939.

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