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 – THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 1916

The cloudy skies will continue today with moderate winds from the northeast. The temperatures will remain cold with the high reaching 38° and the low about 30°. In the Logan section of the city 27 homes are to be built on land located on the east side of 10th Street below Rockland. The property was purchased by William Davenport from Edwin Wolf. Mr. Davenport believes the homes will cost $100,000.00 to build.

Another smallpox quarantine has been imposed in this city. This one, the 4th, is in the area bounded by 41st Street and Preston Street and Haverford Avenue and Spring Garden Streets. Smallpox was discovered in Armstead Duncan, a Negro minister living at 531 Budd Street, who it is thought contracted the disease during a visit to Delaware. Over 400 people were vaccinated today.

The Walnut Street Business Association is planning a fashion show for March 22nd. Today the Association held auditions for models to appear in the show. Some of Philadelphia’s most lovely young women came to the Bellevue Court Building for the opportunity to be chosen. Statuesque brunettes and strawberry blondes posed in the latest fashions and furs. Tall and short they came, with cherry lips and powdered noses to be judged and scrutinized according to strict standards. The judges made it clear that good looks were not enough to be selected. The models must also be able to walk properly so as to show off the latest creations. Of the 40 candidates today only 5 were chosen today.  They are: Olive Egan of 2247 N.15th Street; Blanche Knowles of Warren & Sergeant Streets; Esther Reed of 1930 N. Camac Street; Marion Soule of 22 S. 16th Street and Mignon Billig of 114 N. Edgewood Street. The Association needs 30 models so the search for the final 25 continues.

On the sports beat, Central High School clinched the High School basketball championship yesterday afternoon by defeating West Philadelphia 55 to 29 and bringing the Dutch Company Cup to Broad & Green Streets for 1916. In baseball, Eppa Rixey has agreed to a contract for the upcoming season. Phillies president Baker received a letter from the big lefthander today advising that he had signed the contract offered by the team. Rixey also asked for permission to report to camp a few days after the rest of the squad so he can finish the class he is teaching at the Episcopal High School in Washington, D.C.

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­In national news yesterday St. Louis, Missouri voted to impose Negro segregation. The ordinances enforcing the segregation had previously been rejected by the Board of Aldermen. However, in a city wide vote the measure passed by a 3 to 1 margin with 52,220 for and 17,876 against. Opponents of the measure have said they will apply for an injunction to halt imposition of the law.

GET YOUR COPY OF PHILADELPHIA: THE WORLD WAR I YEARS BY CLICKING ON THE LINK BELOW.

Posted