View from the west bank of the Schuylkill River looking south showing the Fairmount Water Works, Lancaster-Schuylkill Bridge, and buildings on the west bank of the river near the canal lock. In the foreground, a man stands on the bucolic river bank watching two sculling teams race near a rowboat in the river. In the left background, the engine house, mill house, and Fairmount, i.e., Reservoir Hill of the water works are visible. A dock floats above the works and the covered Lancaster-Schuylkill Bridge spans the river in the distance. Also shows the toll house or superintendant's house of the Schuylkill Navigation Company in the right of the image. The Fairmount Water Works were originally built between 1812 and 1822 after the designs of Philadelphia engineer Frederick Graff. The bridge, also known as the Upper Ferry Bridge, was erected 1809-1812, with Robert Mills serving as architect, and Lewis Wernwag as engineer. It burned in 1838., Copyright secured by J. T. Bowen 1838., FLP Castner 21:6, Philadelphia on Stone, POS 241.2, Free Library of Philadelphia: Castner 21:6. FLP copy contains vignette sketch of the reservoir on Fairmount, i.e., Reservoir Hill depicted below the image. Includes text: Fairmount is one of the most beautiful spots in the world. There are six basins (a birds eye view of which is shown in the vignette) elevated upon a high hill above the tops of the houses of the city. The water is thrown into them by means of force pumps which are driven by a head of water from the river Schuylkill affording a never failing supply to the inhabitants of the city, the Northern Liberties & Southwark. The works cost upwards a million dollars., Trimmed LCP copy of POS 241.1 (duplicate image, variant imprint) shown in digital file.
Creator
Wild, J. C. (John Caspar), ca. 1804-1846, artist
Date
[c1838]
Location
Free Library of Philadelphia | Print and Photograph Collection. FLP Castner 21:6
