Jane Campbell Scrapbook v.14 p. 10
The two pictures above feature
the Young Men's Christian Assocation building. The picture on the left is from
1901.
In 1917 this corner property owned by George B Wilson est. had a 4 story stone
building (shown above) with 3 stores facing Chestnut Street. Along 15th or Broad
Street were another 4 stores in the same building. In 1917 the property valued
at $1,750,000. (Assessed Values of Real Estate)
The Packard Building presently takes the place of the YMCA building. Built in 1924 by Ritter and Shay for the Pennsylavnia Company for Insurance on Lives and Granting Annuites, the building symbolized the concept of a "downtown.." More recently the building was used for First Pennsylavnia Bank. However, first floor is scheduled to be replaced with a resturant bar named the House of Blues. The upperfloors are occupied by luxury housing. The ironwork seen below is the creation of a Polish immigrant named Samuel Yellin. (Tietelman)
Jane Campbell Scrapbook v.14