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. So, check back often for new editions. To share your family or neighborhood stories, please email PhillyWWIyears@gmail.com
TODAY IN PHILADELPHIA – SATURDAY, MARCH 17, 1917
There will be rain throughout the day in the city and the area. The high will be about 46° with the low tonight near 40°. It was announced today that the crews of the two interned German ships at the Navy Yard, the Prinz Eitel Friedrich and the Kronprinz Wilhelm are to be relocated to Forts McPherson and Oglethorpe in Georgia. The ships themselves will likely remain at the Navy Yard. Many at the Yard and in the adjacent South Philadelphia neighborhood are breathing a sigh of relief at the news. There have been rumors for weeks of the crews signaling German ships at sea or spies in the area. There have also been stories of violent fights between the German sailors and the Marines stationed to guard them. To insure no trouble from the German ships the cruiser Chicago has been moved into position to be able fire broadsides into both vessels.
In sports, down at Coffee Pot Park in St. Petersburg, Florida the Phillies Regulars behind the pitching of Erskine Mayer beat the Phillies Yanigans, who had Grover Cleveland Alexander on the mound for them, 6 to 2. Over in Jacksonville the A’s started their day with military drill (shown below). Sergeant Smart calls the Mackmen “The White Elephant Brigade”. After the morning training the Athletics Regulars took on their Yanigans and beat the youngsters 3 to 1.
On the entertainment scene this weekend, on stage at the Knickerbocker, 40th & Market, is the musical comedy “The Princess Pat” by Victor Herbert. At the Walnut, 9th & Walnut, the comedy “Girl of Mine” staring Sylvia “Cuddles” DeFrankie. And at the Orpheum, Germantown & Chelten Avenues, “Her Unborn Child”, a serious drama dealing with the subject of birth control. On the motion picture screen, at the Strand, Broad & Venango, Robert Warwick stars in the murder mystery drama “The Argyle Case”. At the Arcadia, 16th & Chestnut, William Farnum plays Sydney Carton and Charles Darnay in “A Tale of Two Cites”. And at the Leader, 41st & Lancaster Avenue, the vivacious Vivian Martin stars in “The Wax Model” a story of love overcoming prejudice.
GET YOUR COPY OF PHILADELPHIA: THE WORLD WAR I YEARS BY CLICKING ON THE LINK BELOW.