3430 Powelton Avenue
The
History of the Building
3420-3432 were built by James
& Charles A. Maguire along with five houses around the corner on 35th
St. They were predicted to cost $100,000. (Phila. Builders Guide, Mar.
20, 1895) They were purchased by Frederick A. Poth (216 N.
33rd St.) in February 1896 (Phila. Builders’ Guide, Feb.
15, 1896) “Messrs. Maguire recently completed a large block of handsome houses
at Thirty-fifth Street and Powelton Avenue, all of which were sold to F. A.
Poth, the sale representing an investment of over $300,000.” (Phila.
Builders’ Guide, Feb. 26, 1896)
3420-3432:
“three-story rowhouses,
built as a single row; rusticated stone basements; Pompeiian brick facades.
Single porch supported by wood Tuscan columns extends across front of all seven
houses. Each house has paired windows, repetition interrupted at second floor
by alternating projecting bays and tripartite windows topped by terra cotta
panels; most have tall gables with cast terra cotta ornament; 3422 and 3430
have Dutch gables; a mansarded roof with red pantiles extends between each
gable.”
(Inventory of
Buildings in Powelton from the application submitted to the National Register of Historic
Places, 1985)
Previous Residents
1899 Directory:
Theodore Doan, coffee
1900:
Theodore H. Doan 43 Wholesale grocer; renting
Martha B. Doan 41 Married
22 years, 5 children; parents born in Ireland
Clarence A. Doan 20 Apprentice – Ships; born in N.J.
Elizabeth S. Doan 20
Edith B. Doan 18
T. Heberton Doan
9
Catharine A. Doan
3
Mary Carrigan 30 Servant; born in Ireland
In 1880, they lived at
2018 Lambert St. He was working as a
railroad clerk.
1900, Aug. 12: “3430
Powelton Avenue. One of the handsomest
residences in West Philadelphia. All the
very latest improvements; electric lights, two tiled bathrooms with porcelain
tubs, stationary wash tub, best heating appliances and plumbing in
Philadelphia, beautifully decorated, and all conceivable appliances to make a
very handsome home. Will be vacated
September 1. Rent $75 a month, with an allowance for prompt payment…. Fred’k A.
Poth, owner.” (Phila. Inquirer)
1902 and 1905
Directories: Levi L. Rue, vice president and cashier, The Philadelphia Bank
In 1900, he lived at
5990 Woodbine Ave. with his wife, Mary McCurdy (Gill) Rue, their three children
and two servants. The 1908 directory
lists him as president of the bank and living at 4226 Spruce St.
1912 Directory:
Christopher Offenhauser, glue
1916 Directory:
Agnes K. Kesser, widow of John
John
Kesser was a painter and glazier. In 1880,
they lived at Morton St. Agnes was
apparently his second wife.
1918 Draft
Registration: Christopher Offenhauser, manager, Consolidated Casing Co. and
Philadelphia Animal Products Co.
He became a naturalized
citizen in 1903.
1910: This house was not enumerated in 1910. It may have been vacant.
1920:
Christopher Offenhauser 41 Manufacturer
of animal products; born in Germany
Barbara Offenhauser 38 Parents born in Germany
Charles Offenhauser 17
George Offenhauser 14
Martha Offenhauser 10
Barbara Offenhauser 7
Agnes Kesser 75
Mother-in-law
In 1930, they lived at
2417 N. 56th St. Charles
Offenhauser married Margaret L. Weston in 1929.
1930:
Philip J. Barchi 39 Hotel manager; born in N.Y., father in
France, mother in Italy; renting for $125. per month.
Maria Barchi 34 Married 27 years
Freemon Welander 45 Lodger; clerk in City Controller’s
office
Carrie M. Wyner 69 Lodger
John L. Rush 39 Lodger; bond salesman
William Cunningham 49 Lodger; loom fixer in Worsted mill
Borge C. Kenneth 23
Lodger; telephone operator
1950 Directory: Mrs.
Walter Dreyfous
Elizabeth Jack
Mrs. Ella Parish
<
3428 Powelton 3432
Powelton >
Revised 7/1/2022