Views of the front and rear elevations of the fire-ravaged Jayne building with ice hanging from its exterior. One image shows the front elevation from the northwest, including the Liverpool & London Globe Insurance Co. clock jutting from the company's building at the northeast corner of Third and Chestnut Streets in the foreground and signboards for businesses occupying 242-248 Chestnut Street, including Wernwag & Co. silk importers (242 Chestnut), Shannon teas (244 Chestnut), H.P. & W.P. Smith dry goods (248 Chestnut), and F.S. Hovey, manufacturer of sewing silk (248 Chestnut). Also shows pedestrians gathered on the north sidewalk observing the scene as men, probably firefighters, stand in the street near the unraveled hose of a fire engine. Rear views from Carter's Alley show a thick layer of ice covering the building, low-hanging wires, carts, and lumber in the alley. A saloon fronting on Carter's Alley is partially visible in one image. Dr. David Jayne, a chemist and Philadelphia manufacturer of patent medicines, moved into an eight story building at 84-86 Chestnut Street (i.e., 242-244 Chestnut Street), between 2nd and 3rd Streets in 1850, after it was completed after designs by William J. Johnston and Thomas Ustick Walter. His business occupied the building until his death in 1866. It burned on March 5, 1872., Titles and photographer's imprint printed on mounts., Manuscript notes in pencil on versos describe views., Yellow curved mounts with rounded corners., Cataloging funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012.
Creator
Brooks, Thomas, photographer
Date
March 5, 1872
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department stereo - Brooks - Fire Ruins [P.9095.1-6]
