Chester Co[unty] Prison, [West Chester, Pa.] [graphic] / T.U. Wlater, Archt., Ph.

Format:

Image

Author/Creator:

Walter, Thomas Ustick, 1804-1887.

Contributor:

Visual Materials Collection (Athenaeum of Philadelphia)

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Prisons--Pennsylvania--West Chester.

West Chester (Pa.).

Chester County Prison (West Chester, Pa.).

Local Subjects:

West Chester (Pa.).

Chester County Prison (West Chester, Pa.).

Physical Description:

1 drawing : ink on paper ; 50 x 66 cm.

Contained In:

Walter, Thomas Ustick. Architectural drawings collection.

Place of Publication:

Feb. 16, 1837.

Notes:

Identification perhaps not in Walter's hand.

Three images, including a plan, front elevation & section of the front(?) entrance. As described by Schiffer (1976) Survey of Chester County, Pennsylvania, architecture, p.147, the prison was in the Greek Revival style, often favored by Walter, rather than the Gothic style more typical of prison architecture. "The projecting center bay, on the south facade, had two Doric columns in the recessed porch framed by large rusticated granite piers". The building has been demolished.

Walter's diary entries for a new prison at West Chester begin as early as Feb. 1833, when he also submitted designs for the courthouse. Entries being again around July 1836 suggesting that he was once more working on this project. References in 1836 suggest an old site, while an April 2, 1838 entry reads "Designs and specfictns. for a prison on a new lot, including all working drawings and professional services in the execution thereof being 5% of the whole cost according to agreement w/the commissioners $1900,00."

Forms part of: Walter, Thomas Ustick. Architectural drawings collection.

Cited in:

Laverty, v.1, p. 233, WTU*016/001