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1812-Brits are Coming-Old Mint Builds Secret Sub-cellar Vault to Hide Valuables of Philadelphians

JCH22JCH22 Posts: 346 ✭✭✭✭

Below excerpts were taken from an April 19, 1915 letter by J. Louis Kates. Kates’ family purchased the Old Mint in the 1830s. The property was later sold to Stewart.

Given the later burning and looting of Washington D.C., the Mint was certainly a good neighbor....

April 19, 1915

MR. FRANK H. STEWART,
37-39 North Seventh Street,
Philadelphia, Pa.

DEAR SIR:

Relative to my recollection of the Old Mint property which was situated 37-39 North Seventh Street, and 631 Filbert Street, which I sold to you.

During the War of 1812 the basement or what might be termed the subcellar was laid out in squares of possibly 12 feet under this building by heavy piers and arches, was used to store the valuables such as jewelry, silverware, etc., of the citizens of Philadelphia, and moneys of the Government for protection, and these squares were walled up, which as I recollect, gave the top or arches of these vault-­like squares the appearance of being the actual floor of the cellar.

After the war was over these brick partitions were taken out and the valuables of the different owners distributed to same, but the piers to retain the arches were left standing, and when my Great Uncle, Michael Kates, bought the property from the United States Government in 1835 or 1836 he left these piers and arches remain so that the floors would have extra strength to carry most any machinery that might be placed in said building and these square compartments remained intact as the Government left them when they removed the United States Mint to Juniper and Chestnut Streets, in 1835 or 1836 and remained so until I sold you the building in 1907, which you have since demolished....

Photos taken during the demo showing the sub-cellar :

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