MELROSE DINER OLD 34TH POLICE DISTRICT

The Philadelphia Inquirer January 14, 1901

The 34th District covered the eastern end of the 28th political ward when it opened on March 31, 1901 at 15th and Snyder Sts. Fire House No. 49 was also co-located here. The 34th District was closed by Superintendent Butler in 1926. Butler was a U.S. Marine General who was on loan from the U.S. Government to act as superintendent of the Bureau of Police for two years. Butler closed many police stations during this time.

About March 11, 1928, shortly after Butler left, the 34th was reopened. In 1930, both the police and fire stations had to be moved because Passyunk Avenue was widened. The original buildings were torn down. In 1932, the Department of Public Safety accepted bids for the rebuilding of the police station at the northwest corner of 15th and Snyder.

The police station was an early First Detective Division headquarters and also housed a Motor Bandit Patrol unit. In 1940, the Motor Bandit Patrol was removed from this location. The location resumed as a police patrol district after World War II.

In 1950 the detective division relocated to 24th and Wolf. The 34th Police District closed on May 22, 1950 and its territory reassigned to the 17th District at 20th and Federal and 41st District at 24th and Wolf. On January 30, 1953, a fire broke out in the vacant building. Engine 60 from 24th and Ritner responded. The Melrose Diner purchased the site at auction on June 24, 1953 for $105,000. The diner's loading dock was a part of the old 34th district.

The Philadelphia Inquirer June 25, 1953

March 18, 2016 author photo