3318 Arch Street

 

 

The History of the Building

 

“Single, center bay, oversized brick house; part of 3306-3316 development by Dilk’s. Brownstone lintels and sills, segmental brick arches on flat wall, three-sided adjacent bay capped by gable forms other half of facade, porch removed. A.W. Dilks, architect.

(Inventory of Buildings in Powelton from the application submitted to the National Register of Historic Places, 1985)

 

    “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 3318 Arch St.

 

1881 Directory: Christian Febiger, Henry C. Lea's Son & Co.

 

1887 & 1889 Directories: Christian C. Febiger, Lea Bros. & Co.

 

1890 Directory: Christian C. Febiger, Lea Bros. & Co.

            Lea Bros. & Co. (Charles M. Lea, C. C. Febiger, Arthur H. Lea & Henry M. Barnes), publishers, 706 Sansom.

            In 1900, the Febigers moved to their new home 3421 Powelton Ave. His biography is summarized on the page for that address.

 

1900:

Margaret A. Dumbell  48        Married 20 years, 3 children, 1 surviving

Sophie M. Ensline        76        Roomer; widowed, 2 children, 1 surviving; born in Germany

 

1908 Directory: Laura Henzey

                         Joseph C. Henzey, student

            In 1900, they lived at 3217 Hamilton St.

 

1913 Directory: Albert W. Dilks, architect at 305 Mutual Life Building

 

1920:

Edwin C. Grice            64

Mary V. Grice              60

Kate B. Vanmeter        86        Mother-in-law; widowed

— 2nd household

Jacob Rice                   26        Janitor in apartment house; black; parents born in Delaware

Edith Rice                   23        Janitress in apartment house; black; parents born in Maryland

— Lodgers:

Florence Bartholemew 40        Clerk for railroad; single

Teresa G. Hammell      53        Probation officer for city; widowed

Sarah F. Glackin          42        Nurse; single

Bertha Mac Shambaugh  25     Social worker; single; born in Iowa

Agnes Tiffany              40        Nurse for Medical Department; single

            Edwin & Mary Grice and her mother previously lived at 3308 Arch St.

 

Mary V. Grice

            Mary Grice was active in the National Organization of Women, the suffrage movement, and other groups. For a brief summary of her social activism, see “Powelton’s Suffragettes.”

 

1920, April 11: Death of Edwin C. Grice of 3318 Arch St. Services at Church of the Savior (Episcopal), burial at Woodlands Cemetery.

            “EDWIN C. GRICE, RETIRED MANUFACTURER DIES.

            “Expert oarsmen and former member of Undine Boat Club

            "Edwin C. Grice, 3318 Arch street, died suddenly yesterday afternoon of heart disease while walking on the River Drive in Fairmont Park. Mr. Grice was for many years a manufacturer of textile machinery, but had been living retired for some years. He was born in this city 64 years ago and in early life was an expert oarsmen, and as a member of the Undine Boat Club won several championships. In 1906, Mr. Grice seven world’s sculling record of 4201 miles covered during the year, and in 1913 he sent the figures to 4424 miles. He is a member of the Episcopal Church, and is survived by his widow, Mrs. Mary W. Grice, founder and president of the Home and School League."   (Phila. Inquirer, April 12, 1920)

 

1921, Jan. 22: Death of Kate B. Vanmeter, 88 years old, of 3318 Arch St.

 

1922, March: Mary V. Grice applied for a passport to visit Portugal, France, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Austria, Great Britain and Holland.

 

1930:

Eliza T. Blyler              74        Widow; renting for $25 per month

— 2nd household

Mary V. Grice              71        Widowed; owner, house valued at $32,000

Frederick Kramer        59        Lodger; single

Ella Long                     40        Lodger; bookkeeper for life insurance co.; single; mother born in Delaware

Edith Meyers               61        Lodger; editor for publisher; single; born in N.J., parents born in Germany

 

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Revised: 7/20/2022

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