Name/Title
The WissahickonEntry/Object ID
2013.34.1.21Description
The Edwin C. Jellett Series of Scrapbooks, Volume 1- The Wissahickon
Page 21 contains two pages (page 25 and 26) of a printed article entitled "Report on the Acquisition of Lands for Fairmount Park". This article is attached to a piece of white lined notepaper which is affixed to the scrapbook page. In the left hand margin is the word "wissahickon" written in pencil. At the bottom of the page is the handwritten notation: Park Report, 1878. The "Report" appears to continue on scrapbook pages 22, 23 and 24. This continuation is a combination of different sections of the report (what might be called "cutting and pasting").
The inital page of the Report (page 25) is addressed to the Honorable Morton McMichael, President, Fairmount Park Commission and speaks to acquisition of land for Fairmount Park, which began in 1867 with the City of Philadelphia already owning 104 acres (to include Fairmount, Lemon Hill and Sedgley). In order to expand, the City needed to purchase many buildings, tracts of land and businesses located on the Schuylkill River and Wissahickon creek. Most businesses were purchesed with a purpose of protecting the city water supply, and creating a water basin in East Park which significantly added to the City's capacity for potable water. Previously, the City had acquired the Belmont and Spring Garden Water Works and Landsdowne. George's Hill was also acquired from the George family.
The next page (page 25 must be turned over to reveal page 26) details additional land purchases mainly through the process of eminent domain. Specific areas are mentioned as purchases (parts of Belmont and Wissahickon Avenues).Collection
GHS Scrapbook Collection
