3100 East Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia PA 19145
© John Mayer,
Workshop of the
World (Oliver Evans Press, 1990).
Philadelphia's first gas
works was built in 1836 at 22nd and Market Streets as a
private venture but was soon taken over by the city when
it proved successful. Gas works were subsequently built
in the Northern Liberties, Manayunk, Germantown, and
Kensington, and in 1853, at Point Breeze. Municipal
control opened the way for political manipulation and
abuse. To isolate the utility from corruption, management
was passed to the United Gas Improvement Company during
the 1880s, a period of municipal reform in
Philadelphia. 1
In the 1930s,
management passed back to the city, where it continues
today under the Philadelphia Gas Works.
An increasing demand for gas by the early 1850s resulted
in the construction of the gas works at Point Breeze.
John Cresson, Chief Engineer of the Gas Works, designed
the facility in a simple Gothic style. The plant
consisted of four buildings: a retort house, where coal
was distilled to make gas; a purifying house, where the
gas was washed and refined; a meter house, where the gas
was measured; and a gasholder, where the gas was stored
prior to distribution. The purifying house and the meter
house are still standing. 2
Production of gas at Point Breeze ended between 1950 and
1960 as natural gas from the Southwest became available.
A large c.1910 gasholder continues to serve the South
Philadelphia district for distribution. Elsewhere in the
system, the Richmond Gas Works is a central distribution
point for liquid natural gas to other gas works
throughout the city. 3
1 Federal Writers’
Project, p. 138.
2 David G. Orr,
“Philadelphia
as Industrial Archaeological Artifact: A Case
Study,” Historical Archaeology, Vol.
11, (1977). pp. 3-14.
3 Interview with George McKim,
Plant Manager, Philadelphia Gas Works, November 16, 1989.
Update May
2007 (by
Joel Spivak):
No change.