Rialto House, Christopher Dusch, proprietor. Fairmount Park.
Title
Rialto House, Christopher Dusch, proprietor. Fairmount Park
Description
Advertisement for the Rialto House tavern and restaurant north of the Fairmount Waterworks on the east bank of the Schuylkill River. Shows several activities occurring around and at the three-story tavern with cupola. Tavern patrons stand on the porch, balconies, and cupola as horse-drawn street cars travel past the establishment. In the foreground, visitors wait at a boat landing under an elegant shelter and in front of a ferry boat about to dock. Also shows scullers and men in rowboats, including one fishing, on the river. A boat house, probably Quaker City, is visible in the left distant background. The tavern served lager beer, fried catfish, and mint juleps., Philadelphia on Stone, POS 647, Historical Society of Pennsylvania: Bb 32 R 235
Date
[ca. 1868]
Location
Historical Society of Pennsylvania HSP Bb 32 R 235
Smith's Island. C. Boenning, proprietor
Title
Smith's Island. C. Boenning, proprietor
Description
Advertisement for the resort area operated by Caspar Boenning at the Delaware River Island containing a "General View of Smith's Island (Fare 6 Cts To Go & Return)" surrounded by 8 scenes showing island amusements and entertainments. Central view depicts a sailboat passing two ferries of people approaching the pier adorned with a tall flagpole and signage for "C. Boenning Baths." Individuals walk on the pier and paths on the island near resort and residential buildings, including the residence of Robert W. Smith. A ferry boat travels through the channel in the right of the image. Upper surrounding vignettes include 3 titled scenes "Residence of Thomas G. Smith," "Swimming & Shower Bath," and "Residence of Robert W. Smith." Shows visitors strolling the building and grounds of the residences. Robert Smith residence also shows a dog swimming and a man on a skiff in a reservoir besides the fenced dwelling. At the bath for men and boys, individuals attired in swim trunks swim, go down a water slide, and dive from a plank and a small raised platform in the center of the pool. Others partake of the waterfall-like shower to the right of the pool and the shade provided by roofing covering parts of the poolside. Also shows a fully-dressed man on the plank holding a rope tied around a child in the pool, possibly receiving swimming lessons and two men and two boys attired in street clothes., Lower untitled scenes show men and women spectators watching a man shooting at a target from the shed of an outdoor shooting range; boys looking in from outside a fence, near a "No Admittance For Boys" sign, at individuals purchasing beverages from a "Lager Beer" stand next to the crowded tented seating area; patrons strolling around and within the Ladies and Families Refreshment Saloon with a "Restaurant" and "Bowling Saloon" as a waiter delivers a tray of food past the side of the building; women attending to customers of all ages at a sarsparilla and mineral water stand advertising "Refreshments for Boys" "Cakes" and "Ice Cream" as children, including a boy with a hoop, play in front of the two-story octagonal building; and a recreation ground where men and women watch ladies swing in swinging cars, and men and boys climb gymnastic (monkey) bars and a pole, as vessels sail on the river in the background. The island, owned by the Smith family 1817-1879, was removed 1891-1897 by the Federal Government to improve the navigation of the river for shipping traffic., Philadelphia on Stone, POS 699, Historical Society of Pennsylvania: Bc 723 W 429
Date
[ca. 1862]
Location
Historical Society of Pennsylvania | Print Department | HSP at LCP HSP Bc 723 W 429