Nostalgia & History > Two For Tuesday: Ferries & Streetcars

The Pennsylvania Railroad obviously did a substantial business between Philadelphia and Camden as reflected in these two photographs, both conveniently time stamped by the terminal clock that day in 1908. The end of the streetcar line was certainly a source of congestion, but must have been amazing to observe. Ferry service ended in 1961, and the land is now part of a waterfront park. 
Photo credits Detroit Photographic Company and the Library of Congress
Be of good cheer,
—Mac
www.lowellamrine.com

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How beautiful so many buildings were back then. Somewhen, we exchanged beauty for boxes!
Bob

Both photos are real historical and I love them both, especially those streetcars.
John in White Marsh, Maryland

refarkas Wrote:
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> How beautiful so many buildings were back then.
> Somewhen, we exchanged beauty for boxes!
> Bob

I agree completely with your sentiment regarding "we've exchanged beauty for boxes". So true. 

Bob Phelps
Micanopy, FL

Thanks for posting this picture.  My father and I took the ferry to see what was going on in Camden several times in the late '40s and early '50s.  And once the whole family took it to and from PRSL trains to and from Atlantic City.  Gerry

What is not to like in these images !!
Especially the 2nd one with the streetcars.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/04/26 08:16 by train1275.

RNP47 Wrote:
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> refarkas Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > How beautiful so many buildings were back then.
> > Somewhen, we exchanged beauty for boxes!
> > Bob
>
> I agree completely with your sentiment regarding
> "we've exchanged beauty for boxes". So true. 

In the case of ferry buildings associated with rail transit/railroads I don't quite agree with that.  The Lackawanna Hoboken Terminal and the Ferry Building in San Francisco, both beautiful structures, are still standing.

I think Bob was referring to more modern architecture. The San Francisco Ferry Building dates from 1892 and the Lackawanna Terminal 1907.
—Mac

RuleG Wrote:
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> In the case of ferry buildings associated with
> rail transit/railroads I don't quite agree with
> that.  The Lackawanna Hoboken Terminal and the
> Ferry Building in San Francisco, both beautiful
> structures, are still standing.

Many of those beautiful buildings are characterized by lintels, pillars, Juliet balconies, sills etc.  They require constant maintenance, and more than  a few have fallen. Injuring passersby.

MacBeau Wrote:
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> I think Bob was referring to more modern
> architecture. The San Francisco Ferry Building
> dates from 1892 and the Lackawanna Terminal 1907.
> —Mac
>
Bob used the word "exchanged."  These two buildings were never exchanged for more modern structures.