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Philadelphia Exchange

The Merchants' Exchange Building, a national landmark in Philadelphia (1834). In 1831, a group of Philadelphia merchants, including Stephen Girard and Robert Ralston, formed the Philadelphia Exchange Company. They picked a location on Dock, Walnut and 3rd Streets because of its proximity to the Delaware River and the Philadelphia banking institutions. William Strickland won the contest to design the building against eight other architects. The exterior of the building was completed in marble, and merchant John Ross donated two lion statues that resembled those in the tomb of Pope Clement XII at St. Peter's in Rome. When it was completed, the Merchants' Exchange became the center of commerce in the city. It was also the home to the United States Post Office and the Philadelphia Board of Trade. It was superseded by the Philadelphia Stock Exchange in 1875.

 

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Uploaded on March 22, 2013
Taken on March 10, 2013