3723 Lancaster
Avenue
The whole block
on the north side of Lancaster Ave. were built “as a single row of brick rowhouses….
3711, 3713, 3717, 3719 and 3723 which appear to have retained their residential
fronts…. A single scroll-shaped bracketed wood cornice unifies the entire
block. --- Contributing.”
(Inventory of
Buildings in Powelton from the application submitted to the National Register of Historic
Places, 1985)
1865,
Dec. 6: Title for Block of land starting at the NW corner of Powelton and N.
37th, proceeding north to 310 N. 37th, then west to Lancaster Ave. transferred
to John H. McIlvain by Lydia E. Baring
This
became the McIlvain Lumber Yard.
1867,
Dec. 4: Title for Block of land starting at the NW corner of Powelton and N.
37th, proceeding north to 310 N. 37th, then west to Lancaster Ave. transferred
to Charles J. McIlvain by John H. McIlvain
1875,
Mar. 4: Title for Block of land starting at the NW corner of Powelton and N.
37th, proceeding north to 310 N. 37th, then west to Lancaster
Ave. transferred to Joseph Doyle by
Charles J. McIlvain
The
houses on this block were built by Joseph Doyle. His office was at 3503
Lancaster Ave.
The
History
1877 Directory (Fall 1876): Little William S., physician
1879 Directory: Nelson Charles W., awing maker
Shannon Charles, laborer
1880 Directory: Nelson Charles W., awing maker
Shannon Charles, laborer
Irvin James K., bridge builder
1880:
Henry A. Pfeil 48
Kate Pfeil 42
Henry S. Pfeil 24 Carpenter
Charles B. Pfeil 20 Apprentice machinist
Mathew R. Pfeil 17 General disability
Kate Pfeil 13
Blanch G. Pfeil 8
Mary S. Pfeil 7
Maud F. Pfeil 1
Sally C. Pfeil 22 Daughter-in-law
Clara Kanauw 30 Servant
1881 Directory: Pfeil
Henry, patent medicines
Pfeil Henry S., carpenter
1890 Directory: Hantel
Frances, stamping
1896 Directory: Luckenbach George H., pianos
1897, Nov. 28: Offered for rent, 9 rooms, $28
per month
1900: Not
enumerated in this census.
1902 Directory: Carroll John P., music teacher
Langdon John, laborer
1904, Feb. 1: Ad, ROOM RENTING AGENCIES: “We
Have Apartments and Rooms: 40th and Haverford, 34th and Chestnut, 40th and
Girard, ave., 38th and Spring Garden, 32nd and
Baring, 41st and Mantua ave., 37th and Lancaster ave., 40th and Poplar, 39th and Brown, 52nd and Girard ave. Barlow & Co., 3721 Lancaster Ave.”
(Inquirer)
There were numerous similar ads from
1904 to 1908.
1907, May 15: “SALESMAN wanted, to sell
building lots. Apply Maple Heights Land Co., 3723 Lancaster ave.,
West Phila.” (Inquirer)
1908 Directory: Birmingham Elizabeth
Seymour
Sarah, widow of James
1908, Apr. 13: Death of Elizabeth Birmingham,
69 years old, of 3723 Lancaster Ave. Solemn requiem mass
at St. Agatha's Church.
1910:
Sarah Seymour 60 Housework
for telephone office; widow, no children; renting
Julia Taylor 58 Sister; general housework for Univ. of Pennsylvania; widow, 2
children
Janis Fisher 40 Sister; general housework for Univ. of Pennsylvania; single
Maggie Boyle 59 Lodger; nurse in private household; born in Ireland,
immigrated in 1878; single
_ 2nd
Household
Samuel Hoffman 42 Tin
roofer
Agnes Hoffman 41 Saleslady
in department store; married 21 years, 2 children
Edith Hoffman 19 Packer
[?] in department store
Ella Hoffman 16 Works in hosing mill
_ 3rd
Household
Mary Hill 28 General housework for private family; widow, 2 children; born
in NY
Walter Hill 7
Edward Hill 3
Gillia Currson ?? 36 General housework for private family;
single
1920:
Archie J.
Waterfield 48 Clerk; born in VA; renting
Sallie Waterfield 38
Randolph
Waterfield 14
Alfred Waterfield 10
Florence Toner 38 Boarder;
saleslady in department store; widowed
Archie Waterfield and Sallie Middleton
were married in Philadelphia in 1903. The 1921 directory lists Archibald
Waterfield living at 3742 Powelton Ave.
1921, Feb. 27: For rent: “3723 Lancaster Ave.,
7 rooms and bath. mod. plumbing, elec., large yard, rent: $60.” (Inquirer)
1923, July 6: “Twenty-eight Magistrates are
elected by the people (two-thirds by the majority party and one-third by the
minority) for the term of six years, at a salary of $4000 each…. [including]
Maxwell Stevenson, Jr., 3723 Lancaster….”
(Inquirer)
He was being re-elected.
1926, Jan. 17: “You Can Buy, Sell, or Rent Your
West Philadelphia Real Estate Promptly Through Maxwell Stevenson, Jr. 3723
Lancaster Ave.” (Inquirer)
1930: Not
enumerated in this census
1940: Not
enumerated in this census
1942: Edmund Hanna, Jr. was promoted to
sergeant at New Cumberland, Pa. (Inquirer, Oct. 19)
In 1940, he lived with his wife,
Frances, and a 13-year-old child at 632 Union St. He had 8 years of education
and was working as a paper hanger. He earned $900 for 36 weeks of work in 1939.
He enlisted in the Army as a Warrant Officer on Feb. 20, 1941. He was separated
with dependents.
1980, April: Sold by Greg Schopp
to David Cousin for $85,000. (Inquirer, April 20)
<3725
Lancaster 3721
Lancaster >
Revised 3/7/2022