Tuesday, September 18, 2012

William Penn's Dream



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 
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?


8 comments:

Kmcblackburn said...

It truly is a magnificent building. Love that shot of the hand in particular.

Wayne said...

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!

Kathy said...

You certainly got some marvelous shots of this wonder. I especially marveled at those closeups of some of the detailed work.

Anonymous said...

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

Anonymous said...

That staircase shot is incredible.

Donna Heber said...

Wow, if only I could photograph like you Rebecca! What a stunning place to visit.

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

I thought FSO was shooting down, soon you have a new meme? I think I have shooting up more than shooting down photos.

Austine Etcheverry said...

Love the photos. They are so pretty.