Community Corner

Lots of Correct Guesses for This Week's Then and Now

DId you correctly identify the current location of Iron Hill Brewery and Restaurant?

In a little more than half an hour, we had our first correct guess to the latest "Then and Now," thanks to John C. 

Matt Fink, Mark Chester, Rockey, M. Sid Yanchek, Deb Creasy and Peter C. Brown followed with correct guesses. 

The photo of Bridge Street's 100 block was taken in 1985, according to which provided the picture.

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Some included recollections of a possible gambling house and the fire department's use of the buildings on Bridge Street to train. 

Here's the full explanation from the HSPA: 

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"These buildings were located at 130–140 Bridge St. in Phoenixville.

"The ‘before’ photograph was taken in 1985. The original Greek revival building was a five unit, three-and-a-half story row house in two sections. Located across the street from the marble yards and Phoenix Iron Company, the five stores serviced the daily needs of workers in their establishments: bakery, confectionary store, dry goods, tailor and grocery store.

"In addition, the upper stories provided much needed space as a boarding house. They comprised the old core of the business district and before their demolition (in the late 1980s) were among the oldest structures on Bridge Street.

"In 2006 construction of a new building was complete and the opened. Notice how the newer style reflects the architecture of the older buildings. In fact, the use of street-level store fronts for commercial purposes and upper levels for residences also reflects the original use of the buildings."


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