View showing the demolition of the courthouse built 1707 by carpenter Samuel Powell on North Second Street above Market Street. Laborers tear off the roof that is down to the rafters and knock down the eaves of the gutted building adorned with broadsides. Debris covers the area in front of the building, and men and women spectators and passersby watch the work from near a line of crates and barrels in the street. Also shows a horse pulling an unseen dray and partial views of neighboring buildings and the adjacent market stalls (built 1710). The court house was utilized as the town hall, seat of the Legislature, market house and the Pennsylvania statehouse until Independence Hall was opened in 1748. Building demolished in 1837., Philadelphia on Stone, POS 672, Wainwright retrospective conversion project, edited., Free Library of Philadelphia: Castner 25:77, Historical Society of Pennsylvania:, See companion print: N. E. view of the old court house in Market Street Philada [W243, P.2101]
Creator
Breton, William L., ca. 1773-1855, artist
Date
1837
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department W326 [P.2184]
