8100 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia PA 19118
© Jane Mork Gibson, Workshop
of the World (Oliver Evans Press,
1990).
This building is now in
commercial use and not easily recognized as a link with
our industrial past. It was built by the Union Traction
Company as a battery house/power plant for the trolleys
on Germantown Avenue and is an example of an early
technology that fell out of use by World War I. It served
two functions: it acted similar to a surge tank on a car
radiator when there was a line drop, and it provided
extra power when needed. Direct current (d.c.)
electricity necessary for the trolleys cannot travel over
long distances, the limit being about six miles. Battery
stations at strategic locations made up for the fact that
portions of the line were far from the substation, in
this case the Chelten Avenue Substation. The batteries
were charged by the line in off-peak times when there was
a line drop and were put on line at peak load
times. 1
The transit line at that date extended to Northwestern
Avenue, and the ascent of the hill on Germantown Avenue
in either direction made heavy demands on the electric
power available. The cars of the Union Traction Company
(later Philadelphia Rapid Transit Company in 1902, and
then Philadelphia Transportation Company in 1939) made
connections with the Lehigh Valley Transit Company,
operating lines to Lehigh County, and the Schuylkill
Valley System, extending through Montgomery County to
Pottstown.
The battery station went out of use c.1919. Up until that
time the traction company had generated its own power,
but went out of the power business in the 1920s and
turned over its power facilities to the Philadelphia
Electric Company, obtaining the power for traction at a
very low tariff, which continued following the
electrification of the
Subsequent use of the building has destroyed any trace of
its original use. The building is a one-story, stuccoed
brick commercial building recently altered and modernized
with mansard roof and new openings. There were changes
made in the building in 1919, but the change in use is
not known. A building permit in 1955 probably
signifies the date when the building was occupied by a
Volkswagen repair shop. Following this use, an antique
car collection was stored in the building. In 1984 the
present owner made renovations for commercial use, and
three businesses are now in operation: Sherlocks (hair
salon), Renaissance Real Estate (office), Little House on
the Hill (developmental learning and child day care). The
present owner is George Lapworth of Renaissance Real
Estate.
1 Information on the
trolley system obtained in telephone interview with John
Tucker, September 1, 1989.
Update May
2007 (by
Jane Mork Gibson):
Currently called “Little House on the Hill," a
daycare center occupies the entire building, with a play
yard outside. It was established in 1983 and is operated
by Carrie O’Donnell (“Miss Carrie"). George
and Marie Lapworth own the property. A sign on the
building provides the following information:
“Little House est. 1983—Ages Toddlers to 5
years—Spacious, Bright, Airy
Facilities—Kindergarten readiness—Arts,
Crafts, Gym, Music & Field Trips—Quality Care
by a Quality Staff—Full Days—State
Licensed—Hours 7:30 a.m.–6 p.m. year
round—215-248-4990—Now enrolling children in
our summer & fall programs."