Subterranean Museum of Philadelphia History

To walk through Center City Philadelphia's extensive underground pedestrian concourse is to walk through a living museum of the great city that was. Here are some highlights:


Under South Broad. Renamed First Union Building, then Wachovia Building...

PNB was absorbed into CoreStates, which later became First Union, which was bought by Wachovia, which in 2008, was acquired by Wells Fargo.

Under 12th & Market Streets, PSFS signage remains underground and atop its legendary tower, which itself is now home to a hotel. Elsewhere in the concourse, signage for a PSFS branch office remains, and newer tiling evidences the location of its long-gone underground entrance.

No smoking, folks. Presumably, this sign has not yet been removed because SEPTA's employees are too busy sitting in token booths refusing to make change.

The venerable Strawbridge & Clothier chain shuddered, it's former flagship location is now proposed as a home to Center City's first slots parlor.

Beneath 8th Street at Market. Closed and the large building demolished, Gimbels' former site is now occupied by surface parking.