216 N. 34th Street

 

The History of the Building

In the 1878 Scott’s Atlas, this land and most of the square block were owned by George A. Fletcher who lived here after about 1883.

 

Queen Anne style three-and-one-half story brick house with projecting third- and attic-floor wood-shingled facade. The heavy brick-walled porches probably a later alteration. The house has bamboo-like frame around second-floor, window and massive flaring chimney. Architect: Addison Hutton.”

(Inventory of Buildings in Powelton from the application submitted to the national register of Historic Places)

 

1969: The houses on the west side of the 200 block of 34th St. were saved from condemnation and demolition by an agreement between the Powelton Village Homeowners Association and the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority. (see Powelton Quarterly, vol 1(1); pp 1 &3.)

 

Previous Residents of 216 N. 34th Street

 

1887 Directory: George A. Fletcher, (Mitchell, Fletcher & Co.), h 216 N 34th

            The 1881 Directory listed George A. Fletcher of Mitchell, Fletcher & Co. living at 2308 Green St.  Mitchell, Fletcher & Co. grocers, was a partnership of George A. Fletcher and Samuel S. Thompson at the corner of Chestnut and S. 12th Streets.

 

1893: George A. Fletcher was elected to serve as a director of the Powelton Club.

 

1900:

George Alfred Fletcher            63        Grocer; father born in Mass., mother in N.Y.

Amelia B. Fletcher                   43        Married 20 years, 4 children; parents born in Germany

George Willam B. Fletcher      19       

Gustavus B. Fletcher               17

Catharine B. Fletcher               14

Edward B. Fletcher                    9

Nora Cannon                           27        Waitress; born in Ireland

Mary Fahy                               38        Chambermaid; born in Ireland

Margaret Fahy                         22        Chambermaid; born in Ireland

Mary Devan                             40        Cook; born in Ireland

Nellie Coffey                           58        Maid; parents born in Ireland

James Brogan                           51        Gardener; born in Ireland

            George Alfred Fletcher and Amelia Elizabeth Bergner were married in Philadelphia on Oct. 16, 1879 by Rev, William H. Furness, D.D. She was the daughter of Gustavus Bergner, Esq.

 

1902, Dec. 17: Death of George Alfred Fletcher of 216 N. 34th St.

            “Funeral services were held yesterday over the body of George Alfred Fletcher at his late residence, 216 North Thirty-fourth street. They were conducted by Rev. Rev. Dr. James H. Ecob and Rev. Joseph May, of the First Unitarian Church. The honorary pall-bearers Frank R. Tobey [3502 Race], Joseph T. Richards [210 N. 33rd], Clarence L. Harper, J. Martin Brill [3500 Powelton], Oscar R. Meyers, Edward S. Schmidt, N. Penrose Allen, Walter Romish, John S. Engart, George B. Evans [223 N. 34th], Richard H. Watson [3605 Hamilton], and T. H. Burr. The internment was at Central Laurel Hill.”  (Inquirer, Dec. 18, 1902)

 

1906 Blue Book: Mrs. George Allred Fletcher

                          Gustavus Bergner Fletcher

                                    He was a member of the Automobile Club.

 

1910:

Amelia E. B. Fletcher              53        Widowed; parents born in Germany; owner with a mortgage

Gustavus B. Fletcher               26        Secretary for a manufacturing company

Edward B. Fletcher                  19

Adele D. Ebbinghausen           49        Cousin; born in N.Y., parents in Germany

Mary Fahy                                48        Servant; born in Ireland

Nellie Coffee                           65        Servant; parents born in Ireland

Ellen Nash                               36        Servant; born in Ireland

Mary Broderick                        38        Servant; born in Ireland

Theresa Waln                           50        Servant; parents born in Germany

            The 1917 Draft Registration for Edward C. B. Fletcher gives his address as 135 S 17th St., Philadelphia. He was born: July 2, 1890.

 

1920: apparently not censused

 

1920:Eurgene L. Townsend, co-operating with William G. Benkert, has sold for Amelia E. Fletcher to Harry S. Jeffery the former’s three story brick dwelling property at 216 North Thirty-fourth street, lot 60 feet by an irregular depth, assessed at $25,000. The property was held for sale at $30,000.” (Phila. Inquirer, June 8)

 

1930:

Rose T. Baker              35        Dietician at Drexel Institute; born in Kansas, parents in England, renting, $300 per mon.

Margaret L. Barner       25        Lodger, medical nurse at Drexel Institute; single

Hilda Schneider           25        Lodger; medical nurse at Drexel Institute; single

 

1968 Directory: Beta Nu Fraternity, 3rd floor

 McArdle T. E., 2nd floor

 Morley D. F.

 

<214 N 34th                                                                                                East Side of Street>

8/8/2022

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