Philadelphia City Hall.
A place I have driven past a million times
but had only photographed from a distance.
On top of the external pillars
But never,
in my lifetime of living just outside of Philadelphia,
did I pause to take a closer look.
Until just recently.
Looking up from the outside.
Designed to be the tallest building in the world,
by the time of its completion in 1904 it was already
surpassed by the Eiffel Tower and the Washington Monument.
It is topped with a 37', 27 ton statue of the founder of Pennsylvania,
William Penn.
Detail of the hand of the bronze Statue of William Penn
It remained the tallest building in Philadelphia until 1984.
But that involved a controversy of breaking
It remained the tallest building in Philadelphia until 1984.
But that involved a controversy of breaking
an unwritten agreement that it was to remain the tallest building in Philadelphia.
Detail of Conversation Hall
In the 1950's,
our brilliant government officials wanted to tear the place down.
Thankfully, they deemed it too expensive
so they modernized it by covering all the beautiful
chandeliers, marble, granite, woodwork, moldings
with SHEETROCK.
~Idiots~
Chandelier in the Caucus Room.
But at least City Hall was protected.
City Hall is now a National Landmark and
hopefully protected from future governmental idiots.
Things don't change much, do they?
Interior Staircase
So here's to many more years
of William Penn looking out over the City of Philadelphia.
Do you see anything as impressive as
the almost demolished City Hall out there?
Interior Staircase
So here's to many more years
of William Penn looking out over the City of Philadelphia.
Do you see anything as impressive as
the almost demolished City Hall out there?
8 comments:
It truly is a magnificent building. Love that shot of the hand in particular.
I've been there, but never gone inside, so I've never been to the top.
I remember the 'great debate' when One Liberty Place was going to be taller and the seemingly endless debates on the pro's and con's. I think the view's just great!
You certainly got some marvelous shots of this wonder. I especially marveled at those closeups of some of the detailed work.
This is my first time here...thanks for the linky party! I have never visited the city of brotherly love. Would ♥ to though.
Laurie @ Pride in Photos
That staircase shot is incredible.
Wow, if only I could photograph like you Rebecca! What a stunning place to visit.
I thought FSO was shooting down, soon you have a new meme? I think I have shooting up more than shooting down photos.
Love the photos. They are so pretty.
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