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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Delaware College.
Aerial views of the campuses of Delaware College and Women's College, located in Newark, Delaware. Delaware College was originally chartered in 1769 as the Academy of Newark. In 1843 it was renamed Delaware College. The separate but coordinate Women's College opened in 1914. In 1921 the two coordinate colleges merged and were officially renamed University of Delaware., Negative numbers: 2882-2886.
Delaware River and South Philadelphia
Aerial view of the Delaware River and South Philadelphia taken from a bi-plane (parts of which are visible) from ca. 2000-foot altitude above the vicinity of 6th and Tasker streets. View is southwest to northeast. Petty Island and Cooper's Point, New Jersey are visible., Negative number: 1618, Record created with information supplied by former Aero Service employee Carl H. Winnefeld, Jr.
[Delaware River looking north from Dock Street, Philadelphia.]
Aerial views of the Delaware River and Benjamin Franklin Bridge (formerly the Delaware River Bridge) from a vantage point just south and west of Dock Street. Taken on a clear day, the view extends well past North Philadelphia and includes Petty Island, New Jersey and a portion of Camden, New Jersey., Negative numbers: 21990s, Manuscript note on negative sleeve: Philadelphia, Penna., Delaware River, Dock St. & N.
Delaware River waterfront at Spring Garden Street, Northern Liberties, Philadelphia.
Aerial views of the piers and industrial buildings along the Delaware riverfront in Northern Liberties. Views face north and west from the vicinity of Spring Garden Street and Delaware Avenue., Negative numbers: 2834, 4860.
Delaware River waterfront at Washington Avenue, South Philadelphia, Philadelphia.
Aerial views of the piers at Washington and Delaware Avenues in South Philadelphia. Ships are docked at the piers. Cars and a trolley can be seen traveling on the city streets. The area to the north and west of the river and the city skyline are visible in the distance., Negative numbers: P279, P280.
[Delaware River waterfront north, vicinity of Port Richmond, Philadelphia.]
Aerial view of the riverfront from the vicinity of Columbia Avenue looking north. The Reading Railroad Company railroad terminus and Port Richmond are visible in the distance, as are industrial buildings and piers along the riverfront. Ships sail on the river., Negative numbers: 4873., Manuscript note on negative sleeve: Philadelphia, Pa, N.E. Waterfront, 1925.
Delaware River waterfront, Philadelphia.
Aerial views of the Delaware River waterfront include the Benjamin Franklin Bridge (formerly the Delaware River Bridge) and piers in South Philadelphia. Views face north and west from a vantage point on the river, taken on a relatively clear day so that they extend well into North Philadelphia along the waterfront and into South Philadelphia towards the Center City skyline, which can be seen in the distance., Negative numbers: 13829n, 13831n., Manuscript note on negative sleeves indicates images were taken December 3, 1930.
Delaware River waterfront, South Philadelphia, Philadelphia.
Aerial views of the waterfront along the Delaware River in Philadelphia generally south of Market Street to Pattison Avenue. Piers, industrial facilities, railroad tracks, ships and ferries are visible as are portions of neighborhoods adjacent to the waterfront. The city skyline is visible in the distance., Negative numbers: 1196, 1198, 1199, 1201, 2835, 2836, 2843, 2852, 2853, 2854, 2856, 4862a.
Diamond State Fibre Company, Bridgeport, Pennsylvania.
Aerial views of the Diamond State Fibre Company industrial facility on the banks of the Schuylkill River just south of DeKalb Pike in Bridgeport, Pennsylvania. The facility contained the company's main offices and a fiber processing mill and factory. Views show the facility and the adjacent railroad tracks that serviced it. Bridges over the Schuylkill River and portions of Norristown are also visible., Negative numbers: 1576, 7096, 7097, 7098, 7099.
Dock Street and environs, Society Hill, Philadelphia.
Aerial views of Dock Street in the Society Hill neighborhood of Philadelphia. Views face north from the vicinity of Pine and Front Streets. The Delaware River, Benjamin Franklin Bridge, piers and industrial buildings lining Front Street are visible to the east and the view west extends to 2nd Street. The United States Custom House can also be seen., Negative numbers: 21908s, 21909s, 21913s, 21915s, 21917s., Manuscript note on negative sleeves: Dock St. area, Phila., Pa., (for John P. Donovan Co.), 6-25-41.
Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia.
Aerial view of the Eastern State Penitentiary, looking southeast and including a view of Center City. Built 1823-1836 after designs by John Haviland., Negative number: 17482n., Negative dated May 16.
[Ellinger Park neighborhood, Fort Washington, Pennsylvania.]
Aerial views of the undeveloped Ellinger Park neighborhood in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania. Real estate developers the Potts brothers purchased the land from the estate of Dr. George Elliger in the 1920's. The view shows an area of land between Bethlehem Pike and the Fort Washington Expressway (Route 309) that has streets but no houses. The area is surrounded by more developed residential areas., Negative numbers: 6614a.
[Event at Municipal Stadium, South Philadelphia, Philadelphia].
Aerial view of an opening event at Municipal Stadium, later known as John F. Kennedy Stadium, on May 1, 1926. People gathered on the field and in the stands, though seats are mostly empty. Stadium was designed by the Philadelphia firm Simon & Simon. Located at 3601 Broad Street in South Philadelphia., Negative numbers: 5813., Manuscript note on negative sleeve: Stadium - Opening of Bay Week, May 1, 1926.
Extreme aerial views southwest Philadelphia
Extreme high-altitude aerial views of southwest Philadelphia taken from Clifton Heights, Pennsylvania looking towards the Schuylkill River., Negative number: 22501., Record created with information supplied by former Aero Service employee Carl H. Winnefeld, Jr.
Extreme aerial views of the Holmesburg section of Northeast Philadelphia, Philadelphia.
Extreme aerial views of the Holmesburg section of Northeast Philadelphia. The Delaware River and Pennypack Creek are visible., Negative numbers: 22454s, 22455s.
[Fair, Red Bank, New Jersey].
Aerial view of fair grounds at Red Bank, New Jersey. Crowds of pedestrians walk down a roadway decorated with monument-like statues and flags. The fair grounds are composed of three tents and a raised platform surrounded by a group of spectators. Visible in the surrounding area are parked automobiles, nearby residences, and a body of water., Negative number: 7941.
Farm Solebury Township
Aerial view of a farm at Aquetong Road & Covered Bridge Road in Solebury Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Surrounding croplands and Delware River are visible., Negative number: 4283., Record created with information supplied by former Aero Service employee Carl H. Winnefeld, Jr.
Fidelity Mutual Life Insurance Company building, 2501-2515 Fairmount Avenue, Philadelphia.
Aerial views of the Fidelity Mutual Life Insurance Company's building at 2501-2515 Fairmount Avenue under construction. Scaffolding flanks the entrance of the nearly completed building while vehicles move along the streets. Designed by Zantzinger, Borie & Medary, the Art Deco building was constructed 1926-1927. Views show a railroad tunnel and large semicircular factory building on the 2600 block of Pennsylvania Avenue. Nearby row homes are visible., Negative numbers: 7631, 7632, 7633.
Fleet of ships sailing south on the Delaware River, Philadelphia.
Aerial views of a fleet of ships sailing down the Delaware River. Good portions of the riverfronts of Camden and Philadelphia are visible; Center City and the Benjamin Franklin Bridge can be seen in the distance. View looks northwest from the New Jersey side of the river south of Camden., Negative numbers: 6769, 6770.
Former site of Baldwin Locomotive Works, Spring Garden and Broad Streets, Philadelphia.
Aerial view of the former site of Baldwin Locomotive Works, Broad and Spring Garden Streets, Philadelphia. Includes view 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 number: 18954n.
Forrest Theatre, Philadelphia, Pa.
Aerial view showing the 1927 demolition of the Forrest Theatre, located at the southeast corner of Broad and Sansom Streets in Philadelphia. The musical theater was built in 1907 after the designs of architects Amos W. Barnes and Marshall & Fox., Negative number:7281.
Frankford High School, N. Phila., Pa.
Aerial view of Frankford High School, located at Oxford Ave. and Wakeling St. in the Frankford section of Philadelphia. Includes nearby row homes., Negative number: 17459n.
Frankford High School, Phila.
Aerial view of Frankford High School, located at Oxford Ave. and Wakeling St. in the Frankford section of Philadelphia. Includes nearby row homes., Negative numbers: 19853s, 19854s.
Franklin and Marshall Institute, Lancaster.
Aerial views of Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Originally established as Franklin College in 1787, the institution merged with Marshall College (chartered 1836) in 1850. Views show Hartman Hall, completed 1908 for use by Franklin and Marshall Academy and razed 1975. Scholl Observatory (built 1886; demolished 1966) is also visible. Nearby row homes can be seen in the foreground, while plots of farm land are visible in the distance., Negative numbers: 1668, 1769.
Franklin Institute, Philadelphia, Pa.
Aerial view of the Franklin Institute looking south-west towards 30th Street Station. Located at 20th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, the science museum was built 1929-1931 after the designs of John T. Windrim. Logan Circle, the Academy of Natural Sciences, the Free Library of Philadelphia, and the Schuylkill River are visible., Negative number: 16541n., Negative dated July 31, 1934.
Free Library of Philadelphia, Central Branch.
Free Library of Philadelphia, Central Branch.
Aerial views of the Central Branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia, located at 1901 Vine Street. Built 1917-1925 after the designs of Horace Trumbauer., Negative numbers: 8305, 8306., Negatives dated April 5, 1928., 8305 and 8306 not digitized; negatives are damaged and cannot be scanned.
Friends' Central School.
Aerial view of the Friends' Central School campus at the former residence of Wistar Morris, designed by architect Mantle Fielding and located at 1101 City Avenue in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania. Established in 1845 by the Society of Friends, the Quaker school moved to this location in 1925 from Fifteenth and Race Streets in Philadelphia, where it had been located since 1857. A baseball game takes place on the western edge of the campus. Houses in nearby Overbrook are visible in the distance., Negative number: 5723., Inscribed on negative: 5723
Friends' Central School, City Line & 69th St., Phila. Pa.
Aerial view of the Friends' Central School campus at the former residence of Wistar Morris, designed by architect Mantle Fielding and located at 1101 City Avenue in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania. Established in 1845 by the Society of Friends, the Quaker school moved to this location in 1925 from Fifteenth and Race Streets in Philadelphia, where it had been located since 1857. Houses in nearby Overbrook are visible in the distance., Negative number: 5210.
Galen Hall Hotel Mountain Wing
Aerial views of Galen Hall Hotel, a resort in South Heidelberg Township, Pennsylvania. The resort was originally built by James Skirrow Preston as a health resort. It was sold to the Galen Hall Company in 1911 and it was significantly expanded in 1912 with the addition of the Mountain Wing (pictured). The buliding was destroyed in a fire on April 7, 1963., Negative number: 11182., Record created with information supplied by former Aero Service employee Carl H. Winnefeld, Jr.
General Electric Company
View of the General Electric Company building at 59th St. and Elmwood Ave. in Southwest Philadelphia. Photographs probably taken in March 1925 [4684]; December 1926 [7133-a]; and May 1920 [12469]., Negative numbers: 4684; 7133-a; 12469., Record created with information supplied by former Aero Service employee Carl H. Winnefeld, Jr.
George School, Newtown, Pa.
Aerial views of the campus and environs of George School, established 1893 in Newtown, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Views depict campus buildings, including the Main Building constructed 1892 after designs by Addison Hutton., Negative numbers: 2739, 2740, 2741., Record revised with information supplied by former Aero Service employee Carl H. Winnefeld, Jr.
George School, Newtown, Pa.
Aerial view of the campus and environs of George School, established 1893 in Newtown, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. View depicts campus buildings, including the Main Building constructed 1892 after designs by Addison Hutton., Negative number: 5845.
Germantown Dispensary and Hospital, Germantown, Philadelphia.
Aerial views of the hospital complex. Designed by Cope & Stewardson. Completed 1897. Located at Chew and Penn Streets in Germantown., Negative numbers: 7149n, 7150n, 7155n, 7156n, 7157n, 7158n, 7160n, 7161n, 7162n.
[Girard Avenue Bridge and Pennsylvania Railroad Bridge spanning the Schuylkill River, Philadelphia.]
Aerial view of the Girard Avenue Bridge and Pennsylvania Railroad Bridge (also known as the Mantua Junction Viaduct) spanning the Schuylkill River at Girard Avenue in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. View looks east from the west side of the river at around 34th Street. Pennsylvania Railroad Bridge was designed by engineers John A. Wilson and Alexander C. Shand. A trolley can be seen going over the Girard Avenue Bridge and a train runs over the railroad bridge. Portions of Fairmount Park and industrial buildings are visible in the distance., Negative numbers: 1159., Manuscript note on negative sleeve: Girard Ave. Bridge.
Girard College, N. Phila.
Aerial view of Girard College at Girard Avenue including Founder's Hall and the eastern and western outbuildings. The school buildings, designed by Philadelphia architect Thomas Ustick Walter in the Greek Revival style, were constructed 1833-1847. Girard College was established through a bequest from Stephen Girard, a Philadelphia financier and philanthropist, for the creation of a school for poor white male orphans. It opened in 1848., Negative number: P203.
Girard College, Phila., Pa.
Girard College, Phila., Pa.
Aerial view of Girard College at Girard Avenue including Founder's Hall and the eastern and western outbuildings. The school buildings, designed by Philadelphia architect Thomas Ustick Walter in the Greek Revival style, were constructed 1833-1847. Girard College was established through a bequest from Stephen Girard, a Philadelphia financier and philanthropist, for the creation of a school for poor white male orphans. It opened in 1848., Negative number: 6176., 6176 not digitized; negative is damaged and cannot be scanned.
Girard College, Phila., Pa.
Aerial view of Girard College at Girard Avenue including Founder's Hall and the eastern and western outbuildings. The school buildings, designed by Philadelphia architect Thomas Ustick Walter in the Greek Revival style, were constructed 1833-1847. Girard College was established through a bequest from Stephen Girard, a Philadelphia financier and philanthropist, for the creation of a school for poor white male orphans. It opened in 1848. Row homes on the surrounding streets are visible., Negative number: 14415n.
Girard College, Phila., Pa.
High-altitude aerial view of Girard College at Girard Avenue including Founder's Hall and the eastern and western outbuildings. The school buildings, designed by Philadelphia architect Thomas Ustick Walter in the Greek Revival style, were constructed 1833-1847. Girard College was established through a bequest from Stephen Girard, a Philadelphia financier and philanthropist, for the creation of a school for poor white male orphans. It opened in 1848. Eastern State Penitentiary is visible in the foreground. View looks north and includes North Philadelphia., Negative number: 5376.
[Girard Trust Company Building under construction at Broad Street and Penn Square, Center City, Philadelphia.]
Aerial view of the Girard Trust Company Building under construction. The building was designed by the architecture firm of Furness, Evans & Co. and was later finished by McKim, Meade & White. City Hall, the Lincoln Liberty Building and other buildings adjacent to Penn Square can be seen in some detail. The view faces southeast from a vantage point just northwest of City Hall., Negative number: P194.
[Glen Gery Brick Company factory and environs, Wyomissing, Pennsylvania.]
Aerial view of the Glen Gery Brick factory building and adjacent farmlands and railroad tracks. The Wyomissing plant was built in 1898, the same year the company reorganized as the United States Brick Company. The Wyomissing facility applied the continuous firing process in what was then the largest brick kiln in the United States. View is southeast to northwest. Location is immediately across Park Rd. from Vanity Fair textile mill along the Reading Railroad tracks. Probably taken September 12-16, 1922., Negative numbers: 2772., Record revised with information supplied by former Aero Service employee Carl H. Winnefeld, Jr.

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