Location 3: Imaginary City

When you think of Philadelphia architecture, most people will probably think of city hall, the art museum, or any of the skyscrapers that are most noticeable from far away first. The sports complex is another big landmark for people of this historical American city. But a part of this city’s architecture that is overlooked and underappreciated would be the bridges. Bridges are a very important structure on this planet that millions of people rely on to get from one place to another. Everyone knows the Golden Gate Bridge in California because of it being known as one of the largest and most beautiful bridges in the world. But for the people living in and around the Delaware Valley, the bridges of the Delaware River Port Authority are unsung heroes. Their contribution to car travel which connects the 5^th largest city in the United States to the state of New Jersey is crucial to the area’s commute across the Delaware River. I feel that these bridges need to be glorified as very important pieces to the city. The bridges get people into the city for work and gets people out of the city to the Jersey shore. All of the bridges currently owned by the DRPA should be decorated with lights just like the Ben Franklin Bridge is now. Decorating these bridges will look better for the city and for the sights along the Delaware River in Philadelphia.

The Benjamin Franklin Bridge is the first bridge built over the river in Philadelphia. Opened in 1926, it was known as one of the largest suspension bridges in the world (now 57^th). The bridge was originally named the Delaware River Bridge since it was the only one crossing the river in Philly at the time. It was built by famous engineer Ralph Modjeski and designed by Paul Philippe Cret. The bridge connects Camden, New Jersey to Philadelphia and carries over 100,000 cars daily. The Ben Franklin Bridge today is the largest bridge in the city as well as the nicest. It is the only bridge to have a decorative lighting system that they use to help celebrate events such as holidays or to represent the Philly sports teams. The bridge also includes a walkway and the PATCO train line which are also very popular ways to get across the river. This bridge is the only one in the city that is seen in movies. Some notable movies are Philadelphia and Rocky.  The bridge is also seen in the opening credits of the hit television show Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia. It would be safe to say that the bridge is glorified as a background in most appearances in cinema.

                                                                      Ben Franklin Bridge

The Walt Whitman Bridge was opened in 1957 and connects South Philadelphia to Gloucester, New Jersey. The bridge was built by Othmar Ammann and designed by Herb Rothman. I find this bridge dull but with a lot of potential. The city could easily emulate the Ben Franklin Bridge with a lighting system to enhance the look of the Walt Whitman. It has seven lanes just like the Ben Franklin but this bridge is longer in length from abutment to abutment at almost 12,000 feet. (Ben Franklin’s length is about 7,500 feet). There are no films that used the Walt Whitman Bridge for any major purpose but with a bit of a makeover it could attract as much as the Ben Franklin does.

                                                                Walt Whitman Bridge

The Betsy Ross Bridge opened in 1976 and was the second bridge in the United States to be named after a woman. The bridge connects Philadelphia to Pennsauken, New Jersey and I give this bridge the honors of the ugliest bridge owned by the DRPA. The bridge is parallel to the Delair Bridge which is a train bridge owned by Conrail. It was decided to name it in honor of Betsy Ross, who is famous for creating the American flag. This is another bridge that is old looking but has potential to look beautiful. The Betsy Ross was built by the DRPA and has a total length of almost 8,500 feet and has eight lanes. The bridge can be seen in the movie Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen as a background picture.

        

                                                                          Betsy Ross Bridge

The bridges crossing the Delaware River in Philadelphia should be glorified pieces of modern architecture. The Ben Franklin already is glorified in my opinion because of the attention that it receives in television and cinema. The other two bridges have the potential to be just as nice as the Ben Franklin with makeovers with something as simple as a lighting system. The bridges should be symbols of the city and to New Jersey as the local connection that they have together. Not just a symbol that the Delaware River is a dividing line between the two states but a symbol of unity. One way goes into the big city and one way goes to the rural farms and beaches. Including the Commodore Barry in Chester and the Delaware Memorial in Wilmington, these bridges are a symbol of the direct getaway to whichever destination you look forward to. The bridges connect two different environments to help link together one area known as the greater Delaware Valley.

1. http://www.whyy.org/tv12/secrets/bfb.html

2. http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2013/04/21/walt-whitman-bridge-re-docking-project-entering-final-phase/

3. http://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/morning_roundup/2013/04/ne-philly-getting-ramps-from-betsy-ross.html

Location 2: Public Art

                                                                              urban archives

The statue of William Penn is an iconic symbol to the people of the city of Philadelphia. It has been that way since its beginning in the courtyard at City Hall in 1893. The sculpture was designed by Alexander Milne Calder who also had designed most of the other sculptures on City Hall. The 37-foot statue was designed in honor of the great founder of Pennsylvania and planner of Philadelphia. The statue was placed atop of city hall in 1894 and no building was built higher than the brim of Penn’s hat until 1987 when One Liberty Place was built three blocks away. The erection of the first skyscraper in Philadelphia ended an informal gentlemen’s agreement which limited the height of buildings in the city for many years. The bronze statue was never individually criticized, but the building it stood atop was. The city discussed demolishing city hall in the 1950s because of its old and outdated look. It was then realized that it would cost the city too much money since they would have to take the building apart by sections. Controversy struck way before then when Calder wanted the 27-ton piece to face the south once placed atop city hall. Unfortunately for Calder, the city demanded the statue face northeast, which ultimately angers him.

                                                                             urban archives

From my personal experience with non-Philadelphians, I feel that people know who William Penn was but the statue atop city hall is not easily recognizable. The statue is depicted many times in the film Law Abiding Citizen by Gary Gray. He seems to use city hall as a symbol of justice in the film which most people do not understand. Outsiders watching the film do not get a clear idea of what city hall and the sculpture resembles. The people of Philadelphia view this piece as a symbol of the city and the skyline. Most know him as “Billy Penn” and almost all know of a certain curse that people claim he had put on the city. Once the “gentlemen’s agreement” was broken in the 1980’s the four major sports teams in the city were unable to win a championship. The last team to win a title was the 1983 76ers and it took 25 years until the Phillies won the World Series in 2008. The curse was believed to be alive and well since Penn was no longer the highest in the city after 1986. The 25-year drought had many people believe in the curse. The year the Phillies won (2008), a smaller version of the statue was placed atop the Comcast building which is the tallest in the city today. The city even placed a Flyers jersey on the statue during the 1997 Stanley Cup finals only to fail as they were swept by the Detroit Red Wings.

I would destroy this piece unless the city would decide to move the statue to reclaim it as the highest point in the city of brotherly love. Although the sculpture is a popular piece of art in Philadelphia, I would also destroy this piece because of the manner in which the city took in disobeying Calder’s request for the direction the statue would face. The city broke two informal requests against a piece of art that represents a lot to Philadelphians. Most are aware of the curse of Billy Penn but many are not aware of Calder’s request that was ultimately ignored by the city. I think if more people knew about the denial of his own piece of art they would give solace to him. If I were to make something to be extremely proud of and someone went against my requests I would definitely feel insulted. Calder did not attend the raising of the statue in 1894 which shows how angry and upset he really was and I feel sorry for him along with the people responsible for ignoring his inquiry. My message would by symbolic for Philadelphia sports fans and for Calder. 

                                                                                       urban archives

William Penn is a big part of the development of such an iconic city for the United States of America. The statue is known as the largest to be on top of any building in the world. Residents of the Delaware Valley would love to see the piece overlook the entire city from atop the Comcast building or another skyscraper that may be built in the future. Having the sculpture face to the south would also be symbolic for Calder’s legacy. We would not have to worry about any sports curse whether it is in the hands of William Penn or Alexander Milne Calder. As a result of the city’s lack of respect for two Philadelphia innovators, I believe in the curse that may live on until the city shows their full gratitude.     

Location 1: History of Philadelphia Theater

Matt Venini

The Nixon Theater in 1914. 

 Photo Credit: www.rjdiscousa.com

The Nixon Theater was a West Philadelphia icon where it once stood at 28 South 52nd Street along what once was considered the main street of West Philly for over a century with its popular commercial strip.


The theater was built in 1910 by architect John D. Allen who had also built the Orpheum Theater on Chelten Avenue in the Germantown section of the city. The 1,870 seat venue was made of brick and stone with a large arched entrance and a big bow window on the top floor. The theater was demolished in 1984 and now stands a Payless Shoe Source and a Rainbow Kids in its’ place. The theater was among the many venues that lined up and down 52nd Street. The Locust Theater was located on 52nd and Locust Streets. There was also the Belmont Theater on North 52nd and Filbert, and the State Theater at 52nd and Chestnut Streets. As of today, the only theater that still stands is the Locust Theater.

The Nixon started out as a vaudeville theater and sold tickets for vaudeville performances for 10 cents. The theater was eventually switched into film presentation in 1929. The Nixon was popular for musical events as well. Local radio DJ Jimmy Bishop organized many musical performances in the 1960's and brought in musical icons like Billy Stewart, who is famous for his hit 1966 song “Summertime.”

    A vinyl copy of Jimmy Bishop On Stage Live at the Nixon Theater.

Photo Credit: www.hidingplaceplace.com

  

This building reminds me of something similar that you would see in the movie Rocky when Sylvester Stallone goes on his depressing morning run through Philadelphia. The older-style buildings that are now run down or demolished were in the background of his run that helped set the scene of a dark and gloomy setting, which the Nixon would fit well in because of its' older architecture. I would definitely use this building in my movie if i make the year of my movie before 1985. I would use it as a hot attraction or run down in a darker scene. The Nixon Theater was one of many famous venues on 52nd street and the people of West Philadelphia deeply cherish the history of the wonderful and historic venue.