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Underground Philadelphia: From Caves and Canals to Tunnels and Transit
Explore Philadelphia's relationship with the underground, as old as the city itself, dating back to when Quaker settlers resided in caves alongside the Delaware River more than three hundred years ago.
Explore the city under the The City of Brotherly Love, which became a national and world leader in the delivery of water, gas, steam, and electricity during the industrial age. The construction of multiple subway lines within Center City took place during the early twentieth century. An intricate subsurface pedestrian concourse was also developed throughout the downtown area for the city's inhabitants. From Thirtieth Street Station and Reading Terminal to the Commuter Rail Tunnel and transit lines that were never built, Philadelphia's infrastructure history is buried under the earth as much as above. Join authors Harry Kyriakodis and Joel Spivak as they reveal the curious aspects of the Quaker City's underground experience.
Explore the city under the The City of Brotherly Love, which became a national and world leader in the delivery of water, gas, steam, and electricity during the industrial age. The construction of multiple subway lines within Center City took place during the early twentieth century. An intricate subsurface pedestrian concourse was also developed throughout the downtown area for the city's inhabitants. From Thirtieth Street Station and Reading Terminal to the Commuter Rail Tunnel and transit lines that were never built, Philadelphia's infrastructure history is buried under the earth as much as above. Join authors Harry Kyriakodis and Joel Spivak as they reveal the curious aspects of the Quaker City's underground experience.
256 pages, Paperback
Published February 11, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 22, 2019
What a wonderful book. Considering Philadelphia's long history, you'd expect its underground to be complicated, but this is way beyond what I expected! A very thorough study of what's underfoot in town. I lived there from 1965 through 1971, and note that the book covers all the underground legends I remember, including the Arch Street subway and the subway station under Sears on Roosevelt Avenue, and many more I didn't know about. Also covered are changes that post-date my presence, including the tunnel between Suburban Station and Reading Terminal and changes wrought by I-95's presence in the city.
July 10, 2023
Ugh, I'm very conflicted on this book. It's a fun and breezy little read which emphasizes how crazy Philadelphian (American really) infrastructure is, but the lack of source notes makes this tough to appreciate.
October 27, 2025
This is really good! A well-researched and in-depth look at the various subterranean features of Philadelphia.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews