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| >HOME >HISTORY/ARTS/CULTURE >GENERAL HISTORY | |
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Park Origins
 What Would Have Been
Transformation of the LandscapeDiversity of Landscape Evolving Forms of Park RecreationSupport for Public Use Citizen Involvement
II. WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN Fairmount Park's core has been part of Philadelphia for almost half of the city's history. But think what might have occurred if the citizens had not pulled together to create the park. These images of the landscape, already developed for industrial and commercial use, drive home the undeniable fact that modern Philadelphians have much to thank for the vision of their Victorian forebearers.  Simpson's Print Works c. 1870 Fairmount Park Commission William Simpson, a silk printer, acquired land for a textile print mill from 1836 to 1842. After the Civil War, the mill reached its height of its productivity. In 1871, the Fairmount Park Commission informed Mr. Simpson that his property comprised West Park's northern border, the future site of a winding, scenic drive.  Letter from William Simpson to the Fairmount Park Commission 16 April 1874 Fairmount Park Commission Not all people envisioned the healthful benefits of a large urban park. William Simpson resisted the sale of his business until July of 1876 when he sold his property for $300,000. Eli Kirk Price, then President of the Fairmount Park Commission, recorded the accomplishment in his journal, "I this day passed title for the last property of importance acquired for Fairmount Park - Thus my great work of eight years duration - has been brought to a close."  Garbage Barges below the Schuylkill Dam photographer unknown 20 December 1927 Negative #24984-A Philadelphia City Archives The Schuylkill Dam served as a dividing line between the park and the industrial development linking the Schuylkill to the Delaware River. |
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