3709 Spring Garden Street

 

The History of the Building

 

Early Atlases show this as 3707.

 

The Hopkins Atlas, published in 1872, shows 3709-11 as the property of Richard Clark (1805-1876). He was listed in the 1870 census as a railroad contractor with $10,000 in real estate and $23,000 in personal property. He was 63 years-old and born in Ireland. In 1880, his six adult children lived together at 3225 Rockland St. His sons were all involved in construction. John (age 40) was a contractor, George (38) was a brick mason, Richard (29) was a clerk, and younger brother James (23) was a house painter. Richard, Jr. died in 1883. The trustee of Richard Clark’s estate transferred to his properties to his five surviving children.

 

3709-11: “two-and-one-half story developer double; Mansarded above schist stone front, side brick walls, original porch remains but porch columns altered; tall first-floor windows reach down to porch. 2/2 sash above, and in segmental headed dormer; bracketed and modillioned wood cornice; original porches. --- Contributing.”

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

 

Previous Residents

 

1874 Directory: Magill Thomas J., treasurer

 

1875 Directory: Magill William, drygoods

                         Magill Thomas J., secretary 10 Merchants' Exchange

                        The 1871 directory lists them living in Lower Merion. William H. Magill is listed as a partner in an auction company.

 

1876 Directory: Prindle Franklin C., civil engineer & secretary, 10 S. Delaware Ave.

            He previously lived at 3408 Hamilton St.

1880:

Alfred Creveling          50        Iron manufacturer

Mary W. Creveling       45

Ella R. Creveling          23

Grace E. Creveling      15

Hannah Norman          50        Sister-in-law

            The 1871 directory of Williamsport, Pa. lists him as the vice president of The National Iron Co. He was born in Espy, Pa. He died Jan. 7, 1890 when he was living at 314 N. 33rd St., the Grey Gables apartment building.

 

1883, Feb. 19: Title transferred to James Clark by Joseph L. Caven, Trustee

            At the same time, 3711 was transferred to George Clark.

 

1900 Directory: Gasslein J. Joseph

                         Dooner Richard T., photographer

                                    The 1902 directory lists Richard as a electrician living at 508 N. 34th St.

 

1900:

Joseph J. Gasslein        48        Manager; parents born in Germany; renting

Mary J. Gasslein          46        Married 13 years, 2 children; parents born in Ireland

Alfred Gasslein            10

Mary Dooner               22        Stepdaughter; single; father born in Ireland

Gertrude Gasslein       11

Richard Dooner           21        Stepson; picture framer; mother born in Ireland

Francis Wattingly         39        Cousin; saleslady; born in Iowa, father in Germany, mother in Iowa

            Richard and Mary Dooner are listed as “Hooner.” In 1880, they lived with their parents, Thomas and Margaret Dooner, at 1924 Jefferson St. Thomas was a coal dealer. Mary (Dooner) Doyle died in 1913 at the age of 36 when she was living at 506 N. 34th St.

 

1902 Directory: Wescott William T., confectioner, 110 Market St.

 

1905 Directory: Wescott William T., confectioner, N. 7th St. corner Spring Garden

 

< 3711 Spring Garden                                                               3707 Spring Garden >

Revised 12/7/2021

Visit the Powelton Village Historical Interactive Map

Contact Us                                                                                                      About Powelton Village