What is that old building?

[RonMcNasty]

Even though I've been at the intersection hundreds of times, I just now noticed an old building behind some trees. I'm referring to the southwest corner of 33rd and Girard. There's a building with clearly late 19th century characteristics set back a bit from the road, visible now because the leaves on trees are gone. Its not quite on the Centennial grounds, and doesn't look like a house necessarily. But it's too ornate and big to just be old bathroom facilities, I think. (and I do know that there are two bathroom facilities from the centennial that still stand today, but not sure where they are). There's an old staircase leading up to it that's all overgrown.

An Internet search lead me nowhere. Please help me PS, you're my only hope.

[Titus]

Did you mean this:
File:Hatfield House Philly.JPG - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[RonMcNasty]

Did you mean this:
File:Hatfield House Philly.JPG - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

No. It's caddycorner to the Hatfield house, behind a few trees.

[Titus]

Then it's one I've never seen either. Sorry.

[RonMcNasty]

I have solved my own mystery. It is called the Sedgley Guard House, circa 1860.

Here is a pic:
File:Sedgerly (Sedgley) Guard House. Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, from Robert N. Dennis collection of stereoscopic views.png - Wikimedia Commons

I will do a little more recon to get some its history. Next time you drive by, heading south on 33rd, keep your eyes peeled. I'm surprised i just recently noticed it. It may be completely hidden by trees in the summer.

[funk]

it's up in lemon hill park. it's the Philadelphia Outward Bound House now.

[Titus]

I have solved my own mystery. It is called the Sedgley Guard House, circa 1860.

Here is a pic:
File:Sedgerly (Sedgley) Guard House. Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, from Robert N. Dennis collection of stereoscopic views.png - Wikimedia Commons

I will do a little more recon to get some its history. Next time you drive by, heading south on 33rd, keep your eyes peeled. I'm surprised i just recently noticed it. It may be completely hidden by trees in the summer.

Yes I have seen that - sorry I was on the wrong corner.

[RonMcNasty]

More accurately, it is the Porter House, a "tenant's cottage" of the Sedgeley Mansion. It is the only part of the Sedgeley property that still stands. It was saved from demolition, and used as a guard house, and a jail. It may still be used by the Fairmount Park commission today.

Scroll to the bottom to read about the Porter House:
Sedgeley - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[RonMcNasty]

it's up in lemon hill park. it's the Philadelphia Outward Bound House now.

Thanks. I had a feeling it may be more accessible from within Lemon Hill.

[guzzijason]

According to google maps, it's smack dab in the middle of Mordor.



__Jason