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, DECEMBER 10, 1915
Philadelphians awoke to a crisp 26° degrees this morning but it feels even colder due to an 18 mile per hour wind from the northwest which is blowing through the city. Today’s high will reach 35° with the low tonight near 25°.
Dr. Wilmer Krusen who is scheduled to become the new Director of the Department of Public Health and Charities under Mayor-elect Smith said today that he intends to push ahead with reforms to Blockley and expansion of Byberry as well as new facilities for the care of the insane. He also proposes annual inspections of medical schools. Doctor Krusen says his aim is to make Philadelphia the healthiest city in the country. That work will include housing reforms to eliminate the dirt and grime in the tenement sections of the city and even new sewer systems which will greatly reduce disease.
The Children’s Aid society has devised a unique plan to bring Christmas joy to 100 of the little ones in its care. The Society will “lend out” the children to wealthy families who are financially able to give them the best Christmas of their lives. Already 30 applications to take a child have been received. The children are waiting expectantly and each day ask if someone will come to take them on their visit. Two of the available children are Ruth, age 3 and George, age 4 (shown below). Of course the Society prefers a married couple host a child in the hopes the visit will become permanent and the little ones will find a family. But bachelors and spinsters are also welcome to apply to host a child for Christmas. All the available children can be seen each day at the Society’s headquarters at 419 South 15th Street.
In sports, Eastern Basketball League leading Greystock defeated Jasper at the Nonpareil Hall, Kensington Avenue & Ontario Street, last night in a close defensive match 25 to 23. Tonight the Reading Bears are in town to meet Greystock at Cooper Hall, 23rd & Christian Streets.
WAR NEWS
In Serbia, the Bulgarian army’s onslaught has forced the French to retreat after 2 days of fighting and give up their positions along the Salonica-Nish railway. Southeast of that engagement a 2nd Bulgar army reinforced by Germans has attacked British positions near Lake Dorian. Throughout southeastern Serbia the Allied armies are under constant assault.
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