View of the Water Works at Centre Square Philadelphia

Philadelphia's water works was located in Centre Square, the site of the present City Hall. It was designed by B. H. Latrobe, and was the first modern water supply to be installed in the United States. At Centre Square, which at the time was really a circle, the engine or pumping hose was situated, while the water was lifted from the Schuylkill by other engine power in a building located at Twenty-third and Chestnut Streets. The fountain shown in the picture was the wooden statue, "Spirit of the Schuylkill," carved by William Rush.