In the late 1880s and early 1900s, police stations were assigned by political wards. For example, the First District, located then at Fitzwater Street below 20th, covered the 30th Ward.
The city, at that time, did not provide insurance and liability, so officers paid $500 to their ward leader for an "insurance bond," said Philadelphia Police Department graphic artist and historian Roderick "Scratch" Scratchard.
"Ward leaders were like gods at that time. They were like the governing body for the local communities," he said.
Most police and fire stations were next to each other because it made things easier, since they both routinely worked together. The police department did not have cars until 1928. When a fire alarm sounded, police would run to the station and ride to the scene with the firemen.
"Up until that point, police traveled in fire wagons," Scratchard said.
Fire and police houses were equipped with beds for the homeless, as well. Each station had a woman, referred to as "the matron," who acted as caretaker. The matron would usually care for the homeless, give them a cup of soup and a bed for the night, Scratchard said. The matron was not a police officer but had powers like one, he added. In 1868, the city paid out $1,500 for bedding alone, according to a police archive.
The following is a list of police stations that are no longer here:
First District, Fitzwater Street below 20th; now at 24th and Wolf streets.
Second District, Second Street above Christian; now in the Northeast.
25th District, 1507 Moyamensing Ave.; now in North Philly.
33rd District, Seventh and Carpenter streets; district no longer exists, but the old location is now the Charles Santore Library.
34th District, 15th and Snyder; district no longer exists.
37th District, Fourth and Snyder; district no longer exists.
41st District, 24th and Wolf streets; district no longer exists, but the old location is now First District and South Detective Division.
–Information provided by police department archives.
