The History of the Building
1866, Oct. 9: Transfer of
3409-11
“Circa 1870, Italianate-style,
three-story double; stucco over brick. The two houses share modillioned
wood cornice. 3409 has been radically colonialized circa 1950. Stucco stripped
and brick painted. Aluminum shutters and asphalt-covered hipped roof porch
added.”
(Inventory of Buildings in Powelton from the application submitted to the
national register of Historic Places, 1985)
1887 Directory: Frederick W. Hotchkiss, manager, 926 Market
1889 Blue Book: Mr. & Mrs. F. W.
Hotchkiss & daughter
1890 Directory:
Frederick W. Hotchkiss
Frank R. Ross, clerk
In 1900,
Frank R. Ross (age 59) was widowed and living with his son, Edward N. Ross (17)
at 4249 Leidy (
1892: Univ. Of
1894:
List of Students:… De Armond, Frank Lucas, Course:
M.E., Home:
(Catalogue of the University of Pennsylvania.
1894)
1896: William F. Keim, First Year Class;
Department of Medicine.
Edward L. Smith,
First Year Class; Department of Medicine. (Catalogue of U. of P.)
1900:
Mary
Millard 42 Widow, 4 children; renting
James
F. Millard 23
Elisabeth
G. Millard 22
Mary
E. Millard 11
Edward
T. Millard 3
Daisey B. Hill 21 Boarder
Alice
Walton 24 Boarder
Hugh
L. Trimble 54 Boarder; railroad clerk; born in
Rebecca
C. Trimble 51 Boarder; married 32 years, 2 children 1
surviving
Newton
H. Parks 29 Boarder; stenographer; born in N.Y.
Ernest
Henry 23 Servant; black; born in
Indiana
Beckett 24 Servant; black; born in
(ED
539, 13B)
1902: “Alfred J.
Ferris has awarded a contract to Hill and Stevens to make improvements to his
property at 3409 Baring street, to cost $2000. The work will consist of a Pompelian brick front from the pavement level to the window
sills, reshingling the frame bay window, altering stairways,
putting in new sash and blinds, and general interior alterations.” (Phila. Inquirer,
Feb. 3, 1902)
1906 Blue Book: Mr. & Mrs. Alfred J. Ferris
Mrs.
Ferris was the former Anna Pierce Shoemaker.
When they were married in 1891, she lived at 3323
Powelton Ave.
1907: Ferris,
Alfred J.,
(American
Historical Association. Officers Committees Act of Incorporation Constitution List of Members February, 1907)
“‘Pauperizing
the Rich,’ by Alfred J. Ferris, is a presentation of the subject of pauperism
from the standpoint of one who seeks industrial equity as the basis of our
social life. ‘The purpose of the book,’ says the author, ‘is to investigate the
World's Charitable List.’ But, unlike the average writer on this theme, who
only rails about the degradation of the poor, as the recipients of alms, Mr.
Ferris exposes the pauperized rich, ‘who reap where they do not sow.’ By his
definition he makes ‘the World's Charitable List include all who receive for
their own benefit the fruit of others' labor,’ and then devotes 426 pages to
the demonstration of this proposition.”
(American
Imperialism Prof. Geo. D. Herron, of
1910:
Alfred
J. Ferris 45 Lithographer [?]; born in N.J., parents
born in
Annie
S. Ferris 43 Married 19 years, 2 children
Malcolm
Ferris 15
Hilda
Ferris 11
(ED
488, 3B)
1913: “Ferris,
Malcolm.
(Roster of attendants at federal military
training camps, 1913-1916. By Military Training Camps Association (
1914: Malcolm Ferris. Owner of station. Call signal: 3CH. Power 16 watts.
(Commercial and Gov. Radio Stations of U.
S.)
1920:
Alfred
J. Ferris 55 Publisher; born in N.J.
Anna
S. Ferris 53 Bookkeeper for printing co.
Maleala Ferris 25 Electrician at navy yard
Hilda
Ferris 21
(ED
682, 2A)
1922: Anna Peirce Shoemaker (Mrs. Alfred J. Ferris) c. 1893. (General alumni catalogue of
1930:
Alfred
J. Ferris 65
Anna
S. Ferris 63
Hilda
Ferris 31
(ED
396, 3B)
1950
Directory: Sherman L Ricards, Jr.
Elizabeth Wells
1961, June Powelton Post: “Profile:
The Maruyamas” By Sarah Parker

“At the Maruyamas'
sunlight filters elfin dancing color through east windows; on the south wall
yellow curtains from floor to high ceiling fill the room with dramatic
brightness. Sho
is California-born, with background richly Oriental yet profoundly-American.
Joan was reared in the quiet conservatism of a northeast Philadelphia family
and church and loved the Rhode Island home of her New England grandmother. Last
fall they established together here their own happy blend of cultures. In April
when we elected Sho Chairman and Joan Co-Secretary,
their home became the current Neighbors control center.
“Long before she came to Powelton in
1958 with her small son Jeffrey seeking no more than an available apartment,
Joan believed firmly that community living which is not integrated is neither
truly Christian nor truly American. Here she found, imperfect but authentic,
the spirit of unity in diversity. Sho, too, in 1956,
expected only to find a convenient apartment.
Instead he was swept into the exciting activity of launching TPN [The
Powelton Neighbors].
“Sho's
route to Powelton was roundabout. World War II thrust him, at fourteen with his
Pasadena family and 10,000 other uprooted Japanese Americans into Manzanar Evacuation Camp - confusion, ugly tar-paper
barracks, sketchy schooling and swirling desert sand. Amazingly, he and other American-born
Japanese emerged appreciative of the broader opportunities post-war America
offered its Oriental citizens, and determined to contribute to the total
welfare of their country. Then came the Cudahy Meat Plant in Salt Lake City,
college in Pasadena and Idaho, a degree in mechanical engineering from Antioch,
a Chicago job with creative city planners, an advanced degree from the
University of North Carolina, and a planning job in Wichita. Now in his seventh
year with the Philadelphia City Planning Commission, Sho
is Chief, Data Processing Section, Division of Comprehensive Planning. He reads
widely in the broad field of his profession; and, as behooves a city planner,
loves the bustle and hustle of urban life.
“For three years Sho,
with Andy Melamed, headed our Planning Committee,
carrying out our significant Neighborhood Survey. As Co-Chairman in 1959 he
arranged the wonderful openhouses before Singing
City's MESSIAH. Twice he artistically assembled the annual scrapbook. Outside
Powelton he serves as a director of the Japanese American Citizens League.
“Serious, these Maruyamas?
Both have strong convictions which they live. Sho
brings to us mature experience relevant to our activity, talent for
organization, incisive thinking, independent judgment, practical idealism, and
democratic but assertive leadership. He sees the Neighbors as citizens in our
democratic process helping to mold the social, economic and physical
environment we live in; a community where we strive for a dynamic balance of
myriad cultures; and where we and our children can better our individual
potential. Gay? - Bicycling in Fairmount Park, golf at Cobbs
Creek, tennis on George's Hill, bowling at Penn Center, skiing at Stowe,
camping in the Berkshires, honeymooning in Bermuda, sailing at Top O' The
Dunes, folk dancing with Lanie, or quietly in their
Baring Street apartment playing bridge or chess. Their life is full of activity
- lots -, gaiety and charm.”
The Maruyamas
later lived at 3412
Baring St.
2009: Current owner: Sheldon Schwartz
purchased 1998
Revised 4/11/2012 About Powelton Village