Philadelphia Bourse

Posted: May 14th, 2007 | Author: saldarji | Filed under: photography, travel | No Comments »

I went to my younger brother’s graduation today in Philadelphia. The speaker at the ceremony was Lakshmi Mittal. Although he has had an amazing career, his speech wasn’t the most exciting or inspiring. I feel like he could have been speaking to the Chamber of Commerce for the City of Springfield.

The day before his graduation, I had the chance to see the liberty bell. Right across the street from it is the Bourse at Independence Mall. Unfrotunately, because of construction, most of the view was obstructed.

The Philadelphia Bourse Building, the first commodities exchange in the United States, was completed in 1895. The building was one of the first steel-framed buildings to be constructed. Three types of masonry were used on the facade: Carlisle redstone, Pompeian buff brick and terra cotta. Inside were large columns and pilasters leading to a balcony surrounding the main floor. Bow-top girders were used to support a skylight at the third floor.

I like the row of satellite dishes to the left of the building. I made it a point to see the bourse buildings while traveling n Europe, but this is the first US building I am posting.

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