Powder Magazine, rear view (1937).
Powder Magazine (1808-1940)
Magazine Lane near Penrose Ferry Road, Philadelphia PA
Information and photographs
from Joseph P. Sims, HABS/HAER (1937)
Materials of Construction:
Built of local stone with stone buttresses. Brick trim
around the windows and doors, and ventilators in the
attic built of brick, as well as brick chimneys. Two
barrel vaults about 22' wide and parallel run the length
of the building, which is about 70'.
Powder Magazine
(1937).
The space in the attic above these barrel vaults is
ventilated, and probably there was originally a
ventilated basement below, so as to give ventilation
above and below the powder storage. The roof is of slate
and the entire building is now (1937) fast falling into
decay.
Caretaker's House
(1937).
There is a Caretaker's house built of brick adjoining the
Magazine and of earlier date. It was evidently only half
completed as it shows a Gambrel roof cut at the ridge.
This building has some remains of nice 18th century
panelling and is also in a state of disrepair.
Note: Torn down, Summer 1940.
History: For greater security in storing powder and
military stores in Philadelphia, a movement was started
as early as 1724 for the erection of a Powder house and
magazine. In 1808, the old magazine at Walnut and Ashton
Streets was abandoned and this one built for about
$5,000. It is believed that it was used in the War of
1812, and it was abandoned by virtue of the Act of
Assembly of April 29th, 1874.
"Powder Magazine Philadelphia, Pa." -
north, south & east elevations plus details
(HABS/HAER, 1937).
"Powder Magazine Philadelphia, Pa." -
sections and floor plans (HAER, 1937).
"Powder Magazine, Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania" - map (HABS/HAER, c. 1937), also showing the
17th century
Swedish and Dutch sites and structures in South
and Southwest Philadelphia, including the
"Swedish Glebe House (1698)," "Replica Wicaco Block
House (1669)," "Bleakly Homestead / Canonball House,"
"Site of Old Pest House," "Swedish Log Farm House,"
"Old Swedes Mill (1646)," "Site Fort Nyawasa (1645),"
"Printz Stockade near site of Dutch Fort Beversreede
(1648)", and 18th century structures including the
"Penrose Ferry Inn" and "Gallows Lane."
Resources:
The
history of Philadelphia's "Powder Houses and Magazines"
is described in Scharf & Westcott's
History of Philadelphia, 1609-1884, pp.
998-1016. The 1808 Powder Magazine
is mentioned on p. 1001.
Harry D. Paxson,
Where
Pennsylvania History Began - Sketch and Map of a Trip
from Philadelphia to Tinicum Island Delaware County,
Pennsylvania (1926).
Photos, drawings and history of the Fort
Mifflin Powder Magazine, (1864) HABS/HAER.