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 4 Through September 9, 1916

It was a balmy 83° in the city on Monday, September 4, 1916. Working men and women celebrated Labor Day. In center city trolleys, automobiles, horse drawn carriages and wagons shared the crowded streets. Most people lived in 2 and 3 story row homes in crowded neighborhoods. They bought their daily food and sundries from curbside markets. The better off residents lived in spacious town houses along Chestnut, Walnut, Locust and Pine streets. For other shopping just about everyone visited the grand department stores along Market Street like Wanamaker’s, Lit Brothers, Gimbel’s, Strawbridge & Clothier’s, Snellenburgh’s and others. Read about how Philadelphian’s lived and shopped in “Philadelphia: The World War I Years“

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