Philadelphia Radio in 1925

We have found in our archives, a radio listing from 1925. Keep in mind that this listing is for only four radio stations. There were others on the air at the time. Maybe it is a list of "highlights." One thing that makes this day really interesting is that it is the last day of operation for the Lit Brothers radio station using the call letters, WDAR. The next day, Monday, February 2, 1925, the station would start using the call WLIT.

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Sunday, February 1, 1925

WOO Radio, Philadelphia, PA
owned by the John Wanamaker Department Store
509 meters (590 khz)
500 watts

10:30 am - Morning service from the Bethany Presbyterian Church, located at 22nd and Bainbridge Streets in Philadelphia. Broadcast includes an organ recital from 10:30 to 10:45 am with Miss Caroline Quigg at the console. Church services will begin at 10:45 am with a sermon by Rev. A. Gordon MacLennan, pastor. Benediction on the stroke of noon.

2:30 pm - Musical exercises opening the regular Sunday afternoon session of the Bethany Sunday school.

6 pm - Old-time hymns and melodies and sacred chimes recital on the WanamakerGrand Organ, Clarence K. Hawden at the console. Broadcast will originate from the store which will be closed at the time.

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WIP Radio, Philadelphia, PA
owned by the Gimbel Brothers Department Store
509 meters (590 khz)
500 watts

4 pm - Services under the auspices of the Germantown YMCA, broadcast direct from the Germantown Theatre. "Our Nation's Greatest Need" lecture, by Dr. Francis H. Green. He is one of the most popular lecturers in the East.

7:15 pm - Evening service, broadcast direct from the Holy Trinity Church on Rittenhouse Square in Center City Philadelphia. Rev. Floyd W. Tomkins, D.D., is the rector.

9:30 pm - Ben Stad and his WIP Symphony Orchestra with Karl Bonawitz at the organ. Broadcast direct from the Germantown Theatre, assisted by the Arlon Singing Society. Johanne Kramer, Ulrich Wols, tenor and Edwin Henry, bass.

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WDAR Radio, Philadelphia, PA
owned by the Lit Brothers Department Store
395 meters (760 khz)
500 watts
The next day they will start using the WLIT call letters

2 pm - Special concert by the Arcadia Concert Orchestara. Professor Earl Sarkost is the director. First selection will be the Overture from the "Marriage of Figaro" by Mozart. Next is a waltz by Volstedt called "Jolly Fellows." This will be followed by a song, "My Dream Girl" penned by Victor Herbert. The fourth selection will be from "Lohengrin," by Wagner. Next are Cello solos played by Peter Wenner. They will be "Andante No 1" written by Wenner himself. Also "Carry Me Back to Old Virginia" by Bland-Wenner. And the last cello solo will be "Scherzo" by Goens. The sixth piece will be "Dance of the Hours" by Pochiello. Next will be vocal solos. This will be followed by :Russian Fantasie" by Tobani and "Serenade" by Saint-Saens. Next is more vocal solos. The conclusion will be a march from the "Queen of Sheba" by Gounod. Vocal solos will be performed by Robert M. Carson, baritone.

6 pm - Concert program from the Benjamin Franklin Hotel by W. Irving Oppenheim's Concert Orchestra.

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WFI Radio, Philadelphia, PA
owned by Strawbridge & Clothier
395 meters (760 khz)
500 watts

4:30 pm - Addresses from the Central Branch of the YMCA, Broad and Arch Streets in Center City Philadelphia. Speaker will be Dr. Charles Wood of Washington, DC. His topic will be "Destiny Making Forces." This broadcast will also include a performance by the YMCA Instrumental Trio. Warner Yates is the violinist. Walter Turbuck plays cello and Harry Shuster at the piano. Nevin West is on the cornet. Also performing will be the Friendly Male Quarette from the Messiah Lutheran Church. It consists of Paul Hesser, first tenor; Fred Hufsmith, second tenor; Ed J. Gebhardt, baritone; Amon Berkheiser, basso; and Walter Gebhardt is the director.

7:30 pm - Organ recital and services from the Arch Street Presbyterian Church. The speaker will be Dr. William C. Robinson of Delhi, NY. Special music by Bertrand A. Austin, cellist.

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Nearby Radio Stations

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WHAR Radio, Atlantic City, NJ
owned by F. P. Cook Sons (the Seaside Motel)
275 meters (1090 khz)
500 watts

2:30 pm - Short sacred recital

2:45 pm - Sermon by Dr. Thomas Cross

9 pm - Address by Eugene E. Dennison

9:15 pm - Compositions of Dvorak

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WPG Radio, Atlantic City, NJ
owned by the City of Atlantic City
296 meters (1000 khz)
500 watts
Station was on the air at this time for less than a month
Start date was January 3, 1925

3:15 pm - Organ recital from the Auditorium of the Atlantic City High School

10 pm - The Chalfonte-Haddon Hall Double Trio

10:45 pm - Recital in the Atlantic City High School

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The e-mail address of the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia is pioneers@broadcastpioneers.com