Any cool details about turn-of-the-century Philadelphia?

I'm writing a semi-historical story about Frank Geyer, the detective who captured the serial killer H.H. Holmes. He lived in Philadelphia around 1900, and I'd love to toss in a couple details to really sell the authenticity of the setting. So, do any historians of the area happen to know any interesting particulars? They can be about city life, customs, transportation, major events, new technologies, rural areas surrounding the town, whichever.

I am of course doing my own research, but there's always the chance I might miss something great, so I appreciate any help!

Thank you, that's going to be really helpful! Newspapers even figure into the story--Holmes's famous "I was born with the Devil in me" confession was published in the Philadelphia Inquirer at the time.

angeliz2k: Looks like my day job with more interesting architecture, haha! Might have to use it--this is a story that will heavily feature dreamwalking as well, so it's not hard to get the character places.