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Broad and Spruce Streets, Philadelphia Then and Now, Early 1900s

2 min read

Philadelphia in the early 1900s

In the early 1900s, Spruce and Broad Streets in Philadelphia were bustling commercial and residential areas. The streets were lined with shops, offices, and homes, and were a hub of activity for the city's residents.

Philadelphia was a rapidly growing industrial city. It saw significant expansion in its manufacturing, transportation, and commerce industries. It also hosted major events such as the 1900 Exposition and the 1926 Sesquicentennial Exposition. Philadelphia was also a center for cultural and intellectual life, with institutions such as the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, the Franklin Institute, and the University of Pennsylvania. It also had a thriving African American community, and was a center of the civil rights movement.

At the time, Philadelphia was a major center of the civil rights movement. The city had a large African American population, and they faced significant racial discrimination and segregation. In response, a number of African American organizations and leaders, such as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), were established to fight for equal rights. These groups organized marches, protests, and legal battles to challenge segregation and discrimination in areas such as housing, education, and employment. Additionally, Philadelphia was home to influential civil rights leaders such as W.E.B. Du Bois, Mary Church Terrell, and Robert Purvis.

Some of the largest industries in Philadelphia in the early 1900s were:

Manufacturing: Philadelphia was a major center for industrial production, including textiles, clothing, and machinery.

Transportation: The city was a major hub for railroads, shipping, and the distribution of goods.

Commerce: Philadelphia was home to a thriving wholesale and retail trade, with a large number of shops, department stores, and marketplaces.

Food processing: The city was a center for food processing, including meatpacking, brewing, and sugar refining.

Printing and publishing: Philadelphia was a major center for printing and publishing, including book and newspaper printing.

These industries helped to drive the city's economy and shape its development in the early 1900s. In addition, some events that also helped shape the city's history and development during this time were:

1900 Exposition: Philadelphia hosted a major international exposition in 1900, celebrating the achievements of the past century and showcasing the latest advances in technology, culture, and industry.

1902: The Benjamin Franklin Bridge opened, providing a key transportation link between Philadelphia and Camden, New Jersey.

1906: The city was hit by a major outbreak of yellow fever, which prompted a public health response and spurred reforms in the city's health infrastructure.

1908: The race riots of 1908 took place, sparked by tensions between African American and white residents.

1910: Philadelphia hosted the National Negro Business League Convention, which brought together African American business leaders and entrepreneurs from across the country.

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