Keffer Collection of Sheet Music, ca. 1790-1895 Content and design by John Bewley

Philadelphia in Images: Centre Square Water Works

Engraving on title page of: Blake's collection of duetts / George E. Blake.
Philadelphia: G.E. Blake, 1807?
Box 8, no. 3a.

This is possibly the only example of non-musical engraving done by George E. Blake, Philadelphia music publisher. It shows the circular, domed building designed by Benjamin Henry Latrobe to house one of the pumps used in the first municipal water works sy stem in the country. Ground was broken for the system on March 12, 1799 and the water first began flowing on January 27, 1801. The marble and columns were preserved when the structure was demolished in 1828 and were used in the construction of the Congreg ational Unitarian Church at 10th and Locust Streets. The present City Hall is located at what used to be called Centre Square.