Pictured: what was 1316 Callowhill Road in Philadelphia
Photo Credit: Me! I was there! Just a few days ago!
Why am I flying to Philadelphia to photograph empty parking lots? Mostly because I am weird like that but also because I was hot on the trail of H.H. Holmes! (125ish years too late.)
One of Holmes’ final crimes happened at 1316 Callowhill Road – Holmes was getting a bit sloppy with his crimes at this point. Holmes had taken out a lucrative life insurance policy on his long-time associate, Benjamin Pitezel, and wanted to collect on it. Naturally, Holmes killed Pitezel. However, Holmes killed Pitezel by starting him on fire, while still alive. If you would like to fly under the radar as a serial killer, you should probably not cause a huge commotion and subsequent building fire IN YOUR OWN OFFICES.
That’s right: Holmes had just signed a lease on 1316 Callowhill Road for his new offices in Philadelphia.
Stay tuned – I have pics of the last vestiges of Moyamensing prison, where Holmes was held and subsequently died.
