West Philadelphia High School - Philadelphia, PA
N 39° 57.260 W 075° 12.983
18S E 481517 N 4422711
West Philadelphia High is a secondary school located in the West Philadelphia section of Philadelphia, Pa. The school was completed on November 1, 1912. and occupies an entire city block between 46th & 47th, between Walnut & Spruce Streets.
Waymark Code: WM3E91
Location: New Jersey, United States
Date Posted: 03/22/2008
Views: 86
The school was was originally divided into a boys and girls school, but both were combined in the 50's to ease administration and streamline education. Please take care to note on your visit the separate entrances for the boys and girls. Also, there are dated cornerstones which tell the age of the building (1911). The original gates are still there and if you can see through the gobs and gobs of paint you will see the tops if the gates are actually globes. Very cool! There have been many additions made over the years but it is still easy to imagine the original building. The dilapidated neighborhood belies the beauty of this building. Look closely.
Across the street, the other NRHP site (H.C. Lea School, 1914) bears a resemblance to this site as they both share similar characteristics. Many observations can be made but rather than spoil the entire visit, I will let each visitor make discoveries on their own.
I still marvel how the concrete facades are inscribed with names and dates; so much intricate detail went into these structures. how different the surrounding neighborhood must have been over a hundred years ago! The architecture type is reminiscent (at least to me) of a Gothic influence. Same across the street. I literally strained my neck to see the tippy-top of the left side of the building. I was trying to read the inscription made within the concrete facade. Check out the pictures, perhaps you might be able to discern what is written.
