Oblique, exterior view of the Frank Furness-designed Library Company building at the northwest corner of Juniper and Locust streets. A two pronged staircase leads to the entryway and a statue of Benjamin Franklin sits in a niche above the entrance. Opened on February 24, 1880, this building operated as the in-town branch which stocked more modern books for circulation. The Ridgway Building in South Philadelphia served as the Library Company's main branch beginning in 1878. The building was demolished in 1940., Time: 12:45, Light: Good, strong sun., Reproduced in The Print and Photograph Department of the Library Company of Philadelphia's Center City Philadelphia in the 19th century (Portsmouth, N.H.: Arcadia Publishing, 2006), p. 10., Arcadia caption text: This crisp 1884 image of the Library Company’s Juniper and Locust Street branch reveals that architect Frank Furness was inspired by the original Fifth Street building’s designs. Furness, known for his eccentric sensibilities, recalled William Thornton’s curved double steps, pediment, and arched niche. Its location near Broad Street addressed the westward development of Philadelphia; a committee had earlier determined that 86% of the Library Company’s city-residing members lived west of Tenth Street. To further accommodate this group, the new building featured “well-warmed and ventilated” reading rooms, a ladies’ sitting room, evening hours, and telephone communications to other libraries. The building was demolished in 1940., Edited., Digitization and cataloging edits have been made possible through the generosity of David Marriott Morris, Eleanor Rhoads Morris Cox, and William Perot Morris in memory of Marriott Canby Morris and his children: Elliston Perot Morris, Marriott Canby Morris Jr., and Janet Morris and in acknowledgment of his grandchildren: William Perot Morris, Eleanor Rhoads Morris Cox, Jonathan White Morris, and David Marriott Morris.
Creator
Morris, Marriott Canby, 1863-1948, photographer
Date
March 5, 1884
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Marriott C. Morris [P.9895.512]
