Lourdes, France became popular in 1858 after someone claimed to have seen a vision of the Virgin Mary. Catholics flocked to the city to take water flowing from the spring in Lourdes. The water was thought to have healing properties by the Catholics. There were still many Roman Catholics in London and in A City Girl. Nelly Ambrose and Susan believe that the water has healing properties if the Virgin Mary chooses to allow it.

The Crystal Palace was a structure made of glass and iron and built in Hyde Park. In 1851 this palace was built to house the Great Exhibition. It often was the building to host numerous exhibits and concerts for the public. In A City Girl, the young children get the chance to sing at the Crystal Palace for a service. The palace was moved and rebuilt in a southeast called Sydenham Hill. Unfortunately, the palace burned down in 1936 and was never rebuilt.