North Broad Street stands as a vital artery coursing through North Philadelphia, seamlessly connecting diverse neighborhoods to the heart of Center City and South Philadelphia. For generations, this iconic thoroughfare has been a silent witness to Philadelphia’s evolving story, serving as a stage for pivotal historical moments and nurturing cultural landmarks that define the city’s identity. Among these landmarks, Temple University holds a special place, inextricably linked to the vibrant history of North Broad Street.
From the grand Metropolitan Opera House to the towering Philadelphia Inquirer building and the enigmatic Divine Lorraine Hotel, North Broad Street is a corridor of memories. Join us on a visual journey through time, curated from the archives of Temple Libraries’ Special Collections Research Center, as we explore the sights and stories that have shaped North Broad Street since 1870, and its enduring relationship with Temple University.
1870: McKensey Greenhouses – A Glimpse of North Broad’s Pastoral Past
Before the urban landscape firmly took hold, North Broad Street in 1870, at the intersection of Columbia Avenue (now Cecil B. Moore Avenue), was home to the serene McKensey Greenhouses. This photograph, captured by the Philadelphia Evening Bulletin, offers a rare look at a time when greenery flourished where bustling city life would soon emerge. Within six years of this image, these greenhouses would be replaced, marking the relentless march of urban development along North Broad.
1871: City Hall Rising – The Dawn of a New Philadelphia Skyline
Just south of North Broad, at Broad and Market Streets, 1871 witnessed the ambitious undertaking of constructing Philadelphia City Hall. This photograph from the Philadelphia Evening Bulletin captures Penn Square cleared and ready for the foundation of what would become a defining architectural icon of Philadelphia. This construction signaled a period of rapid growth and transformation for the entire Broad Street corridor, influencing development even in North Philadelphia.
1922: North Philadelphia Station – Gateway to the City
By 1922, North Broad Street had firmly established itself as a major transportation route. This image showcases North Philadelphia Station and the impressive bridge spanning Broad Street. The station served as a crucial entry point into Philadelphia, connecting North Broad communities to the wider region and contributing to the area’s increasing dynamism.
1924: The Metropolitan Opera House – Entertainment Grandeur on North Broad
The Metropolitan Opera House, pictured here in 1924 at Broad and Poplar streets, epitomized the cultural vibrancy of North Broad Street. Advertisements for vaudeville performances on its awning highlight its role as a premier entertainment destination. This grand venue became a symbol of the area’s flourishing arts and culture scene, drawing crowds and adding to North Broad’s allure.
1925: Philadelphia Inquirer Building – A Beacon of News and Time
Looking north on Broad Street from Center City in 1925, this bird’s-eye view, captured by the City Parks Association, prominently features the Philadelphia Inquirer building and its iconic clock tower. Located at 400 North Broad, the Inquirer building became a landmark, its clock tower serving as a visual marker and a symbol of the city’s bustling media presence along North Broad.
1925: Russell Conwell’s Residence – Temple University’s Foundation on North Broad
In 1925, the home of Russell H. Conwell, the visionary founder of Temple University, stood proudly at 2020 N. Broad St. This photograph is particularly significant as it connects Temple University directly to North Broad Street. Conwell’s presence and vision on North Broad laid the foundation for Temple’s growth and its enduring impact on the neighborhood and the city. Temple University’s Main Campus is located just a short walk from this location, firmly rooting the institution in the North Broad Street corridor.
1929: North Broad Street Station Entrances – Art Deco Elegance
These photographs from 1929 highlight the architectural details of North Broad Street Station. The staircase at the main entrance and the full exterior view showcase the station’s Art Deco design, reflecting the era’s aesthetic and the grandeur associated with railway travel. The presence of cars in the second photo also indicates the growing importance of automobiles alongside public transportation on North Broad Street.
1940: Baker Bowl Ice Rink – Winter Fun Near North Broad Station
In 1940, the Baker Bowl, located on North Broad Street near North Broad Station, transformed into an ice rink, offering winter recreation to Philadelphians. This image captures people enjoying ice skating with North Broad Station visible in the background, illustrating how North Broad Street provided not just transportation but also leisure activities for the community.
1940: Logan Neighborhood – Patriotism on Display
Broad Street near Lindley Avenue in the Logan neighborhood in 1940 is depicted here adorned with American flags. The Logan Business and Improvement League displayed these flags to welcome attendees to the Republican National Convention in Philadelphia. This image captures a moment of patriotic fervor and community engagement along North Broad Street, reflecting national events impacting local life.
1948: Divine Lorraine Hotel – A Landmark of Change
The iconic Divine Lorraine Hotel on North Broad Street near Fairmount Avenue is featured in this 1948 Philadelphia Evening Bulletin photo. The caption accompanying the photo announced the sale of the 246-room hotel to followers of Father Divine. This event marked a significant cultural shift, as the Divine Lorraine became a symbol of Father Divine’s Peace Mission movement, adding another layer to North Broad Street’s diverse history.
1949: Broad and Erie – A Bustling Intersection
This photograph from 1949 provides a view of the busy intersection of Broad Street and Erie Avenue. It captures the everyday hustle and bustle of North Broad Street, showcasing its role as a commercial and transportation hub for the surrounding neighborhoods.
1949: Paul Robeson at the Met – A Voice for Justice on the Opera Stage
Singer, actor, and activist Paul Robeson is pictured performing at the Metropolitan Opera House in 1949. Robeson’s performance at this iconic North Broad Street venue highlights both the Met’s continued cultural significance and Robeson’s powerful voice for social justice, resonating within the heart of North Philadelphia.
1956: Farewell Kiss – Wartime Sentiments on North Broad
This poignant photograph from the Philadelphia Evening Bulletin in 1956 captures a farewell kiss between a husband and wife at Broad and Diamond streets. Mrs. James Lex bids goodbye to her husband, a member of the Pennsylvania National Guard, as he departs for summer training. This image reflects the personal sacrifices and wartime sentiments present on North Broad Street during the mid-20th century.
1960: Dropsie University – Center for Jewish Learning
Dropsie University, formerly located on the 2300 block of North Broad Street, is shown in this 1960 photograph. As the first institution in the U.S. to grant degrees in post-doctoral Jewish studies, Dropsie University added an important academic and religious dimension to North Broad Street’s landscape.
1964: Cecil B. Moore Honored – Civil Rights Leadership on North Broad
Cecil B. Moore, a prominent president of the Philadelphia NAACP, is pictured receiving an honor at the Beautiful Times Plaza on North Broad Street in 1964. Moore’s leadership in the Civil Rights movement and his connection to North Broad Street, later recognized with Cecil B. Moore Avenue named in his honor, underscore the area’s significance in the fight for equality.
1965: Martin Luther King Jr. at the Baptist Temple – A Pivotal Moment in History
These images from Temple Libraries’ Urban Archives capture a historic moment on North Broad Street in August 1965: Martin Luther King Jr.’s visit to the Baptist Temple (now the Temple Performing Arts Center). The gathered crowds outside and King delivering his speech inside reflect the powerful impact of the Civil Rights movement on North Philadelphia and the role of North Broad Street as a venue for important social and political discourse. The Baptist Temple’s proximity to Temple University further links this event to the academic and community life intertwined with North Broad Street.
1965: Civil Rights Demonstration – Marching for Equality
Civil rights demonstrators are seen marching along Broad Street near the Uptown Theater (Broad and Dauphin) in 1965. This photo, originally published in the Philadelphia Evening Bulletin, with the caption “Demonstrators march from Uptown Theater (Broad and Dauphin) to Girard College,” further illustrates North Broad Street as a focal point for the Civil Rights movement in Philadelphia.
1969: Progress Plaza – A Symbol of Black Economic Empowerment
Progress Plaza on North Broad Street at Oxford Street, newly constructed in 1969, is pictured with an A&P market as its anchor store. Progress Plaza holds historical significance as one of the first Black-owned shopping centers in the United States, representing a milestone in Black economic empowerment and community development on North Broad Street.
1969: Temple Law Students for Peace – Anti-War Protest
Temple Law students are shown marching along North Broad Street near Columbia Avenue (now Cecil B. Moore Avenue) during a Vietnam War protest in 1969. This image directly connects Temple University students to the social and political activism taking place on North Broad Street, highlighting the university’s engagement with contemporary issues and the street as a venue for protest and free speech.
1972: Broad and Susquehanna – Local Businesses Serving the Community
In 1972, a pharmacy, barbershop, and medical center lined Broad Street near Susquehanna Avenue, showcasing the local businesses that served the everyday needs of the North Broad Street community. This image reflects the street’s role as a vital commercial corridor for residents.
1973: Broad and Lehigh – Urban Intersection
The intersection of Broad Street and Lehigh Avenue in 1973 is captured, representing another node in the long stretch of North Broad Street. This image emphasizes the urban character of North Broad and its continuous development as a major city thoroughfare.
1975: Performance at Broad and Girard – Community Celebration
Anthony Brockington and the Angelic Choir are pictured performing at Broad and Girard during the American Way North Philadelphia Style festivities in 1975. This photograph captures a moment of community celebration and cultural expression on North Broad Street, showcasing the street as a venue for local events and gatherings.
1975: Shopping at Progress Plaza – Everyday Life at a Landmark
A woman is seen walking across the parking lot of Progress Plaza in 1975. This image provides a glimpse into the everyday life at Progress Plaza, illustrating its function as a community shopping destination on North Broad Street, years after its groundbreaking establishment.
1977: Boy Outside Columbia North YMCA – Community Institutions
A boy climbing a pole outside the former Columbia North YMCA on Broad Street between Jefferson and Oxford in 1977 illustrates the presence of community institutions along North Broad Street. The YMCA served as a vital resource for local residents, offering programs and activities for all ages.
1978: Beury Building – Architectural Presence
The Beury Building, located on the east side of Broad Street near Erie and Germantown avenues, is captured in this 1978 photograph. This image highlights the diverse architecture along North Broad Street and the Beury Building’s imposing presence as a commercial structure.
1989: Wilkie Buick – Automotive History on Broad Street
Wilkie Buick, once located on Broad Street adjacent to Temple University’s Main Campus, is seen in this 1989 photo. Taken from Temple’s former University Services Building, this image captures a piece of North Broad Street’s commercial history, reflecting the presence of automotive dealerships and businesses that lined the street for decades. The proximity to Temple University again underscores the intertwined history of the institution and North Broad Street.
North Broad Street’s story, as seen through these historical photographs, is a testament to its enduring significance in Philadelphia. From its early days as a developing thoroughfare to its role as a cultural, commercial, and community hub, North Broad Street, especially around Temple University, continues to evolve. These images from Temple Libraries’ Special Collections Research Center offer a valuable glimpse into the past, enriching our understanding of this iconic Philadelphia street and its ongoing journey.
