Since the late 1950's, it was likely that it was just a matter of time before the Vine St Expressway would be built. The path the Expressway would take was already determined and the entire area was to be demolished. By the mid 1960's much of Vine St from 6th to 9th, which had been Philly's skid row, had been torn down. With that in mind, businesses in our area began to move, buildings were vacated and the neighborhood deteriorated. Demolition began in the 1970's but the expressway didn't fully open until 1991. The park along Wood St, just south of the Expressway, didn't exist until all the demolition was over and the Expressway built.
The numbered streets generally contained commercial buildings, many built in the 19th century. Following are just a small sample of what was lost, just on a single block of N 3rd St between Wood & Callowhill St: The Horace Potts & Co. warehouse (3rd photo) was at 316 - 20 N 3rd St. (just N of Wood St). Built in 1897 in the Venetian Gothic style, it was torn down in 1976. Potts was an iron & steel company, founded in 1815. The building's last tenant was Ideal Shoe Co.
Massey & Janney Leather Warehouse (4th photo) was built in 1878 at 355 N 3rd (SE corner of 3rd & Callowhill) and demolished in 1973.
322 - 24 N 3rd (5th photo) was built c. 1898 for Lewis Bremer & Sons Tobacco. From at least the 1920's to the 1960's, Penn Leather was located here; it's last tenant was a salvage company.
The Consolidation Bank Building (6th photo), at 331 N 3rd was built in 1857 and demolished in 1972.
Lawrence, York and the north side of Wood St contained mostly residential buildings (7 - 8th), many in disrepair by the 1960's. They would also be torn down. Eventually, the entire area from Wood St to Callowhill was levelled for the expressway. The park on Wood Street was created (by PennDOT) as a buffer between the neighborhood and the elevated roadway.
1970's, demo complete Horace Potts, 1973
355 N 3rd. in early '70s 322-24 N 3rd in 1964 331 N 3rd, 1922
329 Wood St, 1964 211 Wood St, 1964
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