On this page we will look back at life in the city during the war years. Here we will provide the visitor with the stories making the news, what was happening in sports and entertainment, city politics, the social scene and the prominent people at the time. We will also recount the events occurring in the war on that day. So, check back each day for new editions.
To share your family or neighborhood stories, please email PhillyWWIyears@gmail.com
TODAY IN PHILADELPHIA – FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1915
There will be clear fair skies over the area today with a lessening of the humidity. However the high will reach 91° with the low around 71°. The weather bureau has advised that the heat will finally begin subsiding tomorrow.
Mayor Blankenburg received the support of the Republican Party today in his effort to build a new convention center which will hopefully be ready in time for the 1915 Republican convention. However, the site will not be the one he proposed at 24th Street between Chestnut & Market. The location will be on the new Parkway. The sum of $1,500,000.00 has been set aside for the acquisition of the land and the construction.
Parents in the West Philadelphia neighborhood of Elmwood are demanding that measures be taken to make the railroad crossing at Eastwick Avenue safe for their children (shown below). Since January, 3 children have been killed and 3 crippled for life as a result of being struck by trains. The parents claim that there is no regular schedule for the trains passing and no warning of their approach. Over 1000 children a day cross the track to attend the McKean Public School at 82nd & Tinicum Avenue and its annex at 88th & Tinicum. Hundreds of children also cross the tracks to attend St. Raphael’s at 86th & Tinicum. The parents are asking the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad to build an elevated walkway to cross the tracks or at least station a policeman there during school hours.
There is fighting in Texas along the border. Battles have now been going on for the last 2 days between American and Mexican soldiers. Today’s fighting began when the Mexicans fired across the border in an attempt to kill a Texas peace officer. American troops came to his aid. No injuries are as yet reported. Yesterday near San Benito a ranch was attacked. After the Texas Rangers arrived the Mexicans retreated but not before 4 of them were killed. Also about 30 Mexicans dressed in military uniforms attacked a ranch near Fresnos about 8 miles north of Brownsville. American soldiers arrived on the scene and a fierce gunfight broke out. Many of the men of Brownsville, who are well armed, have also gone to aid the American soldiers.
In baseball the Phillies dropped one to the Reds in Cincinnati 2 to 0. The A’s met Cleveland here at Shibe Park for a doubleheader. They lost the 1st game 7 to 6 but fared better in the 2nd game. They tied. The game was called for darkness after 10 innings with both teams scoring 3 runs.
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