3627 Spring Garden Street
3611-3631 were
built on the former estate
of Charles Truitt.
1894, Oct. 18: Title for 3611-3631 Spring
Garden St. transferred to Benjamin D. Gardiner by Elizabeth T. Truitt
Gardiner paid $24,000 for the lot.
He then secured a mortgage for $60,500. (Inquirer, Oct. 20, 1894)
1894, Nov. 5: “In West Philadelphia, at Thirty-six
and Spring Garden streets, B. D. Gardiner announced twelve [sic.] fine
dwellings….” (Inquirer) The next day they referred to these correctly as
11 dwellings.
1895, Nov. 29: Title for 3613-3621 and
3627-3631 Spring Garden transferred to Frederick A. Poth by Benjamin D.
Gardiner
“Frederick A. Poth, the brewer, has
purchased eight properties [3611-3631] on the north side of Spring Garden
street, from Benjamin D. Gardiner, for $55,250.” (Inquirer, Dec. 19,
1895) At the same time, he also purchased 3625 Spring Garden St. from Gardiner.
3611-3631: “spectacular Willis Hale-style
Pompeiian brick row; symmetrical composition of. raised end and central gables,
with mansarded section on each side. Turned wood
posts support pediments that mark each pairs of doors; elongated keystone in
second story. handsome terra cotta panels and figures around alternate units.--- Significant.”
(Inventory of
Buildings in Powelton from the application submitted to the National Register of Historic
Places, 1985)
History of the Building
1900: Male Help
Wanted Ad: “CIGARMAKERS – 200 wanted at once, strictly hand work. Vincente
Portuondo, 514 Pine street.” (Feb. 18)
This was in response to 265 of his
workers who went out on strike in an effort to
unionize.
1900:
Vicente
Portuondo 49 Cigar manufacturer; born in Santiago, Cuba; renting
Sophia C.
Portuondo 40 Married 15 years, no children
Anna D.
Richardson 28 Servant; "colored;" born in MD
Ray Williams 26 Servant; "colored"
Vincente Portuondo was the son of
Juliana Portuondo who lived next door at 3625
Spring Garden St. with three of his sisters. Also, with them was Bernard Nunez,
son of Juan Emilio Nunez. He married Sophia C. Young on Jas. 8, 1885 at the
Boyertown-Ebenezer Methodist Church.
1900:
"General Emilio Nunez, the former resident of this city and the present
civil governor of the province of Havana, is here as the guest of his
brother-in-law, Vincente Portuondo, at 3627 Spring Garden street. General Nunez
is well known for his valiant services while the Pearl of the Antilles was
struggling to throw off the Spanish yoke. He is one of the most progressive and
population Cubans on the island" He is quoted as a "warm admirer of
President McKinley" and warning the election of Bryan "would mean one
of the greatest financial panics ever." (Inquirer, Sept. 28)
Nunez was Vicente Portuondo’s brother-in-law. He became a business partner
with Leonard Loeb who later lived at 3625
Spring Garden St.
1905, Nov. 6: Death
of Vincente Portuondo, son of the late Joseph M. Sr. and Juliana Portuondo.. Solemn mass of requiem at St. Agatha's Church.
1910:
Sarah Rouse 59 Widowed, 3 children; born in NY; renting
Pauline V. Rouse 32 Bookkeeper
for printing company; parents born in NY
George H. Rouse 29 Proprietor
of a laundry; parents born in NY
Francis C. Cridland 37 Son-in-law; proprietor of a laundry
Florence Cridland 36 Daughter; married 12 years, no children;
born in NY, parents born in NY
Florence R. Cridland
died Sept. 14, 1924 when they were living at 752 N. 41st St.
1920:
James S. Mullin 44 Manager
for paper mill supplier; renting
Mary M. Mullin 33
Martha F. Mullin 7
Alfred F. Mullin 5
Johna Mullin, Jr. 4 years, 6 months
1946: This and
neighboring properties were sold with the dissolution of the Estate of
Frederick A. Poth
<
3629 Spring Garden St. 3625
Spring Garden St. >
Added 2/22/2021