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Holding Information

Collection: Thomas Ustick Walter Collection

Institution: Athenaeum of Philadelphia

MARC Description:
Walter's account book, 1831-1842, has an entry of May 10, 1839, for the "Phila., Wilmington & Baltimore RR Co., to a design for monument at Grey's Ferry, including the execution of the same $1100. .. $1030. was paide to Findlay Highlands for marble work, lettering, hauling, setting ..." The base of the monument in the drawing reads "Newkirk Viaduct | Commenced July 4th, 1837". Notes in the Jane Campbell Scrapbooks, v. 7, at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, include "In 1838 the Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore 'old wooden bridge' was built, being completed on Christmas Day. It superseded the old 'Gray's Ferry Bridge'. It was named Newkirk Viaduct in honor of Matthew Newkirk, President of the R.R. The above monument was erected [reference to an illustration]. It is of marble and stands on the knoll near the W. end of the Bridge. This was made a free bridge in 1847. It was destroyed in the early sixties, but rebuilt by the R.R. Co. (History of W. P.)" An article in the Public Ledger, May 10, 1908, states that "The four sides of the shaft contain the names of the officers, directors and engineers of the four roads which together formed the original Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad Company, now known as the Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington Railroad." William Strickland served as engineer for at least two of the four companies. He was assisted by John C. Trautwine. Benjamin Latrobe was engineer for the the Baltimore and Port Deposit Railroad Co. predecessor line. The Ledger states that the "Newkirk Viaduct" was not the bridge, but the road to this point, and gives the base inscription as "Newkirk Viaduct, commenced July 4, 1837, completed December 25, 1838. S.H. Kneass, engineer from Philadelphia to Wilmington." Walter's name is not mentioned in the Ledger article, and it appears that his only task was to put up the monument which celebrated the work of his friends & colleagues.

Quantity: 1 drawing : ink & wash on paper ; 67.5 x 53.5 cm.

Local Call: WTU*026

RLIN: PAPV93-F484

Item dates: 1839

Holding types: Drawings

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Documented Projects

• Newkirk Monument
   

Documented Architects, Engineers, and Others

• Walter, Thomas Ustick (1804-1887) (Architect)

Location

Philadelphia, PA (Gray's Ferry )

Image Gallery

[Newkirk Viaduct Monument] Elevation (T. U. Walter, Architect, 1839) Thomas Ustick Walter Collection, Athenaeum of Philadelphia. Local ID #: WTU*026*001

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