Pennsylvania

Philadelphia College of Dental Surgery

In 1870, John Henry Holliday took his first steps on his road to his intended career as a dentist when he joined the Pennsylvania College of Dental Surgery

The choice of profession and also this college seems to have been strongly influenced by his uncle, Doctor Robert Holliday, who apparently saw dentistry as a profession which would attract growing status. 

A brief history of the College indicates that at the time John commenced his studies the College was located at Tenth and Arch Streets, where the China (Friendship) Gate now stands. 

The Friendship Gate at Tenth and Arch

Looking back from 10th Street, the site of the college building is to the right of the Friendship Arch.

In 1871 the College moved to the North West corner of Twelfth and Filbert, the original building can be seen in a pictorial history of the University or Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine.  The present site is show in the photo below.

In March 1872 John graduated with the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) and returned to Georgia.