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

September 11 Through September 16, 1916

100 years ago Philadelphia was a one party town, the Republican Party. But the Party wasn’t unified. It was split between two factions, one was led by U.S. Senator Boies Penrose, a Harvard educated lawyer from an old wealthy Philadelphia family. The other was controlled by the Vare brothers of South Philly. William, Edwin and George Vare were born in “the Neck” and grew up poor and tough. They made their fortunes in the construction business. William would serve in the United States House of Representatives while his brother Edwin served in the Pennsylvania State Senate. One of the few times the two factions worked together was to elect Thomas Smith (shown below) Mayor in 1916. Smith would become the City’s only Mayor to be arrested and tried for conspiracy to commit murder. Read about the political scene 100 years ago in Philadelphia: The World War I Years.

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