3310-12 Arch Street

The History of the Building

3306-3316 Arch St. were placed on the National Register of Historic Places April 21, 1983.

“The Poth-Schmidt development houses are an important group of large double houses by A.W. Dilks, that describe the lifestyle, and the architectural possibilities of post-Centennial Philadelphia. These are of added interest because the financiers were developers of much of Powelton, as well as important Philadelphia industrialists. They brought the new, flamboyant taste of the nouveau riche to their speculative venture, and found in Dilks the appropriate architect for highly styled buildings that stand out in the Quaker City….

“As a consequence of Dilks' training, and his understanding of contemporary taste, the buildings that he designed for Arch Street are among Philadelphia's most important examples of the Queen Anne style, showing all of its essential features. Those include the Japanese influenced porch details, which alternate with the Mediaevalizing knee braces of other porch details; the empathetic use of brick detail to describe architectural weight; and the multiple textures from painted wood to smooth brick, to shadow catching hung tile. The buildings were further enlivened by formal variation within the group that adds to the richness of the ensemble. There are few equals to the Dilks achievement in the generally plain Quaker City. The exterior richness continued in the interior finishes, with most of the detail confined to the public rooms of the front. Noteworthy too are the large window groups that light the interiors, and mark the transition toward the modern house.”

(from Poth and Schmidt Development Houses. George E. Thomas.)

Previous Residents of 3310 Arch St.

1881 Directory: Thomas W. Sparks, manufacturer of shot & bar lead, 121 Walnut & 131 Carpenter, h 3310 Arch.

He moved to 213 N 33^rd

1887 Directory: Edward Bancroft, student

J. Sellers Bancroft, manager, 1600 Hamilton

In 1880, they lived at 210 N. 33^rd St.

1889 Directory: Edward Bancroft, student

J. Sellers Bancroft, , manager, 1600 Hamilton

Henry Bancroft

1891 Directory: Edward Bancroft, instructor

J. Sellers Bancroft, manager, 1600 Hamilton

Henry Bancroft, machinist

1895 Directory: Bancroft, J. Sellers, manager, 1600 Hamilton

Henry Bancroft, clerk

1900:

J. S. Bancroft 56 Manufacturer of machine tools; born in R.I., parents born in Pa.; renting

Annie S. Bancroft 56 Married 29 years, 3 children. born in Del.

Wilfred Bancroft 25 Manufacturer of machine tools

Alice Bancroft 29

A. Sarah Dalton 38 Cook; born in Ireland

Mary A. Gallagher 30 Waitress; born in Ireland

Catharine Price 22 Chambermaid; born in Ireland

(ED 578, 7A-B)

The 1906 Blue Book lists John Sellers Bancroft living at 919 Pine St.

1906 Blue Book: Rev. Dr. & Mrs. John B. Falkner. Receiving day Tuesday after 3.

Miss Falkner

Previous Residents of 3312 Arch St.

1887 Directory: William F. Dreer (Henry A. Dreer) [nursery and seeds]

After 1887, he lived at 101 N 33^rd St. For a short biography, see The City of Philadelphia as it Appears in the Year 1894, p 216.

1891 Directory: Charles E. Yerkes, sec, 9 N 13^th [banker]

In 1887, he lived at 208 M. 33^rd St.

Susanna G. Yerkes, widow of Charles

In 1887, they lived in Chicago

1895 Directory: Samuel C. Woolman, grain, 133 S 2d

1900:

Lino F. Rondinella 33 Mechanical engineer; father born in Italy; renting

Elizabeth L. Rondinella 33 Married 5 years, 1 child

Edith Rondinella 4

Susannah Yerkes 60 Mother-in-law; divorced [?] 2 children; parents born in England

Lizzie Brown 26 Cook; born in Ireland

Lizzie Luehan 23 Waitress; born in Ireland

Ellen Sullivan 35 Nurse; born in Ireland

(ED 578, 7A)

< 3306 & 3308 Arch 3314 & 3316 Arch >

Back to Interactive Map

Revised 1/22/2012