A Cool Architectural Find

A surprising find in Bay City Michigan - 

the City Hall! 

This building is like a castle and was built in 1894. 

The crazy thing is, 

you can just walk in and start taking pictures. 

Try that in Philly and you'll get arrested! 

I felt uncomfortable doing that 

so I looked for someone to ask. 

There was no one around...no reception...no security. 

 

I finally found a payment office and asked, 

"Sure, take all the photos you want." 

Wow. 

The clock tower is free to tour on your own as well.  

From there you can get a bird's eye view of the 'city.'  

Which is hardly a city. 

If you like architecture, 

definitely tour this place. 

301 Washington Ave, Bay City, MI 48708

More of my images from Bay City are here. 

Getting High In Philly

Yeah, there are plenty of ways 

of getting high in Philadelphia. 

Higher than a kite, in fact.  

Let me share 3 ways...

I should say - legal ways. 

Two Liberty Place-One Liberty Place-BNY Mellon Center-Comcast Center
as seen from atop City Hall. 

What is it about cities 

bragging on their tallest buildings? 

In 1901 Philadelphia, 

City Hall was the 

tallest building in the world. 

Those were some big bragging rights - 

getting pretty high too. 

City Hall as seen from the 39th Floor of Commerce Square West

It held the title of 

 Tallest Building in Philadelphia until 

One Liberty Place 

controversially surpassed it in the 1980s.
Getting higher...

The Observation Deck at One Liberty Place

That was controversial 

because there had been a 

gentleman's agreement 

not to build higher than 

William Penn on top of City Hall. 

City Reflections from 39th Floor of Commerce Square West 

One Liberty Place is the 

tallest building in Philadelphia, 

15th tallest in the United States, 

98th tallest in the world. 

Billy Keeps an Eye on His City

Today, William Penn has 

8 neighboring skyscrapers 

looking down on him.  

I guess if you are that high 

having taller neighbors 

won't bother you too much anyway. 

Benjamin Franklin Bridge - Connecting Philadelphia to Camden, New Jersey

Cost of Getting High in Philly: 

City Hall Observation Deck - $6 (548ft)

One Liberty Place Observation Deck - $19 (883ft.)

Commerce Square West - You need a connection. 

Philly's Billy

William Penn Stands Atop City Hall in Philadelphia

Philly's Billy, aka William Penn of Philadelphia:  

English 

Aristocrat 

Quaker 

Real Estate Entrepreneur

City Hall Tower, That's Billy On the Top

Fortunately for Billy, 

the crown owed quite a bit of money to his family 

and it was paid in land. 

Lots of land.

Land far across the Atlantic Ocean. 

Billy named his land, Sylvania, 

which by order of the king, became Pennsylvania. 

Penn's Plans for Philly Were Roads In A Grid Pattern

Billy also planned for the city of Philadelphia. 

I wonder if he had any idea how 

future generations of Philadelphians 

would revere him.

Entering the City Hall Courtyard

Do you think it is a coincidence that Billy rhymes with Philly? 

Don't Leave Philly Without Your Own Billy

Here's a previous post on Billy and City Hall
Click on any image to be taken to the photo gallery.

8 Must See Scenic Places to Photograph in Philadelphia

Every now and then
this Suburban Girl ventures into the big city.
Here are a few of my favorite haunts:

Philadelphia City Hall
We have William Penn,
the founder of the Province of Pennsylvania
atop our City Hall.
See him waving to you?

Schuylkill Banks, Philadelphia

Looking back at the city
along the Schuylkill River  (skoo-kill)
is a new walk that connects to a multi use trail.

Ben Franklin Bridge, Philadelphia
Near Penn's Landing along the Delaware River
the Ben Franklin Bridge is illuminated at night.
and connects the city to Camden, New Jersey

Boathouse Row, Philadelphia

Boathouses line the Schuylkill River
where rowing clubs house their racing shells.
On warm weekends you might catch a regatta
on the river.

Chestnut Hill College, Philadelphia
This college campus is beautiful
with the main structure resembling a castle.

Mt. Moriah Cemetery, Philadelphia
Once abandoned and completely overgrown,
this historic cemetery is now undergoing restoration.

Morris Arboretum, Philadelphia
A lovely arboretum
with gardens, structures and art sculptures throughout.

and of course

Fairmount Park
The park (9200 acres)
is the largest urban green space in the country.  

Finding Spring in the City

Blossoms in City Hall Courtyard, Philadelphia, PA

Winter really has its claws into us 

and does not want to let go. 

While it is spring, 

my heat was still on this morning. 

But thankfully, the spring blossoms are blooming,

and at this point, 

I am more than willing to trade snowflakes for pollen. 

Achoo. Sniffle. 

The Party's Here! Where I am linking these days.

            

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All images by Rebecca Haegele have been registered with the U.S. Copyright Office. Click on any image to go to its gallery for purchasing information.