Know Your Neighborhood: The Commons on New St.
Ralph E. White’s 5- story, Flemish bond brick, Colonial Revival building at 244-248 N. 3rd Street was built around 1915 for Cover & Company, a shoe manufacturer.
As early as 1897, Thomas and Loring A. Cover, Henry E. Drayton and Thomas Leonard had a leather business at 355 North Third Street, although both Covers were listed in directories as residents of Virginia. In 1907 Thomas Cover, Jr., who graduated from Princeton in 1900, appears as a Philadelphia resident with a leather business, Cover and Company, at 349 North Third Street. He remained at this address until 1915 when he moved into his new Colonial Revival-style building at 244 North Third Street. Cover and Company was located at this address until at least 1936; Thomas Cover, Jr. died in 1937. His company produced "Heavy Texas Oak Sole Leather, Bends, Bellies, Shoulders, Blocks, Strips".
The architect was Ralph E. White, best known for his work for the City of Philadelphia and Christ Church. For Christ Church he designed the Second Parish House, 1908-11, and Neighborhood House, in 1922. White also renovated many commercial buildings along Chestnut Street.
As early as 1897, Thomas and Loring A. Cover, Henry E. Drayton and Thomas Leonard had a leather business at 355 North Third Street, although both Covers were listed in directories as residents of Virginia. In 1907 Thomas Cover, Jr., who graduated from Princeton in 1900, appears as a Philadelphia resident with a leather business, Cover and Company, at 349 North Third Street. He remained at this address until 1915 when he moved into his new Colonial Revival-style building at 244 North Third Street. Cover and Company was located at this address until at least 1936; Thomas Cover, Jr. died in 1937. His company produced "Heavy Texas Oak Sole Leather, Bends, Bellies, Shoulders, Blocks, Strips".
The architect was Ralph E. White, best known for his work for the City of Philadelphia and Christ Church. For Christ Church he designed the Second Parish House, 1908-11, and Neighborhood House, in 1922. White also renovated many commercial buildings along Chestnut Street.
Very similar to the Christ Church Parish House (last photo), the Commons exhibits many typical Georgian Revival features including a brick watertable with granite cap; full arched windows and doors; limestone impost blocks, keystones, sills, and belt courses; and broad terra cotta cornice with modillions. Especially notable is its imposing, classical limestone door surround with pilasters, denticulated cornice, and parapet.
1972
Today
Christ Church Parrish House
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