Castner Scrapbook v.19, Disasters, Criminal Prisons 1, page 17
Historical Images of Philadelphia Castner Scrapbook Collection
Item Info
Media Type: Scrapbooks
Source: Print and Picture Collection
Notes:
Item 1, top left: Newspaper clipping depicting a short-lived program of prison labor, using a large cylindrical treadmill, operated by the leg power of multiple prisoners, to run machinery. The practice was introduced in 1819, and discontinued. Engraving for an unidentified publication, 7.5 x 7 cm, undated.
Item 2, top right: First page of a chapter detailing the history of the Eastern State Penitentiary at 2027 Fairmount Avenue. It was designed in 1821 by architect John Haviland, and was in operation from 1829-1971. The next two items, #pdcc0370 and #pdcc0371, show three more pages of the incomplete chapter. In summary, solitary confinement was heralded as a more humane philosophy of incarceration, to reduce violence and negative contact among prisoners, and encourage reflection and atonement. The building itself is also described in great detail in the four pages. Ultimately, the philosophy was abandoned as inhumane and unsuccessful. Text of a page from an unidentified publication, 15 x 19.5 cm, undated.
Item 3, bottom left: News clippings about the Fairmount section of Philadelphia known in the 19th century as Cherry Hill, originally farmland outside of the City. It was the location of a cemetery, a hospital, and the Eastern State Penitentiary, so the penitentiary was often referred to as Cherry Hill State Prison. Printed text from an unidentified newspaper, 5 x 8.5 cm, undated.
Item 4, bottom right: Image of Eastern State Penitentiary, at 2027 Fairmount Avenue. See above image 2, and the next two items, #pdcc0370 and #pdcc0371, for details about the building. Lithograph, 15.5 x 10.5 cm, undated.
Creation Year: 1845
Geocode Latitude: Geocode Longitude:-75.172655
Geocode Latitude:39.968368
Call Number: A917.481 P536 v.19
Creator Name: Castner, Samuel, Jr., 1843-1929 - Compiler
John Haviland - Architect
1a 
1b 
1 
2 
3 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17
17 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
33 
34 
35 
36 
37 
38 
39 
40 
41 
42 
43 
44 
45 
46 
46 
47 
48 
49 
50-51