Definitions
Acquired for Renewal: Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority intention (or not) to acquire property from pre-renewal owner during urban renewal. Source: Washington Square East urban renewal plans.
Address(es): All known addresses associated with a property, currently and historically. Source: Washington Square East urban renewal plans; Society Hill historic district nomination.
Alterations: Date, architect, and description of all known documented building alterations. Source: Society Hill historic district nomination.
Architects: Original Designer/Builder of existing building or land use. Source: Society Hill historic district nomination.
Architectural Style: Architectural style of building. Source: Society Hill historic district nomination.
Date Built: Best estimate of initial construction date. Source: Society Hill historic district nomination.
Description: Brief architectural description of exterior of building/property. Source: Society Hill historic district nomination.
Floors: Number of above-ground floors. Source: Society Hill historic district nomination.
Historically Certified: Philadelphia Historical Commission assessment of historical significance of a site prior to urban renewal. Source: Washington Square East urban renewal plans.
Ownership Changes: Date, purchaser, and price for property sales to new owners immediately before, during, and after urban renewal. Source: City of Philadelphia deed records.
Post-Renewal Use: Type of building or land use after urban renewal (1999). Source: Society Hill historic district nomination.
Pre-Renewal Use: Type of building or land use prior to urban renewal (1942). Source: 1942 Land Use Map.
Property Name: Where relevant, any name attached to a building or site (e.g., Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church). Source: 1942 Land use map; Society Hill historic district nomination.
Urban Renewal Action: Re-use (e.g., Demolition, Rehabilitation) planned for site as a result of urban renewal. Not necessarily implemented. Source: Urban renewal plans.
Urban Renewal Unit: Washington Square East project urban renewal planning unit (e.g., 1, 2, 3). Source: Urban renewal plans.
Major Sources
City of Philadelphia Deed Records: Philadelphia Department of Records, available at City Archives and online via PhilaDox and Historical Land and Vital Records.
PhillyHistory.org Photographs: http://www.phillyhistory.org. Philadelphia Department of Records.
Society Hill historic district nomination: Philadelphia Historical Commission, “Society Hill (and Pennsylvania Hospital of Washington Square West) Historic District,” March 10, 1999, Amended October 13, 1999. Available online.
Washington Square East urban renewal plans: Wright, Andrade & Amenta Architects, Washington Square East Urban Renewal Area; Technical Report (Philadelphia: Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia, 1959), Appendix D; Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia, “Washington Square East Urban Renewal Area Unit 3, Land Acquisition Map,” July 1961.
1922 Bromley Map: Geo. W. & Walter S. Bromley, Civil Engineers, Atlas of the City of Philadelphia (Central), 1922, Athenaeum of Philadelphia.
1942 Land Use Map: Plans and Registry Division, Bureau of Engineering Surveys and Zoning, Department of Public Works, Federal Works Progress Administration for Pennsylvania, “Philadelphia Land Use Map,” 1942, Free Library of Philadelphia.