Potsdam
2 of the 7 encyclopedias on this shelf carry an entry for Potsdam. Both are reproduced below, so you can see where they agree and where they differ.
Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)
the chief town of the Prussian province of Brandenburg, and until the establishment of the republic the second residence town of the royal family of Prussia; on an island in the lakelike river Havel, 18 miles S. W. of Berlin. It is a handsome city, with broad streets, public gardens, adorned with statues of Prussian soldiers, and fine squares; a royal palace (1667-1701), in the park of which are statues of Frederick-William I., Alexander I. of Russia, etc. The garrison church, with a steeple 290 feet high, contains the tombs of Frederick-William I. and Frederick II.; and the Friedenskirche the tombs of Frederick-William IV. and the Emperor Frederick III. The Brandenburg Gate is a copy of Trajan's Arch at Rome. In the immediate neighborhood of the town are more than half a dozen royal palaces, as Sans-Souci (1745-1747), the favorite residence of Frederick the Great, surrounded by a splendid park and gardens; the palace of Friedrichskron, formerly the New Palace (1763-1770); Charlottenhof, built by Frederick-William IV. in 1826; the Marble Palace, the summer residence of the former Emperor William II.; and Babelsberg, the private property of the same prince. Potsdam has an observatory, and a cadet and other military schools. Its manufactories produce sugar, chemicals, harness, silk, waxcloth, beer, etc. Alexander von Humboldt was a native. Potsdam owes its creation as a town to the Great Elector, Frederick William, and to Frederick II. Prior to that period it was a fishing village, on the site of an ancient Slav settlement. Pop. about 65,000.
Aiton's Encyclopedia (1910)
a summer residence of the German emperors. It is situated about seventeen miles southwest of Berlin on an island of the Havel. There are a number of lakes and canals spanned by well constructed bridges. Potsdam bears much the same relation to Berlin that Versailles holds to Paris. It was originally a Wendish fishing village. In 1660 the Great Elector chose it as the site for a palace. Frederick the Great located his palace and gardens of Sans Souci here. Successive kings of Prussia beautified the place. It is now a town, or rather a region, of extensive parks, boulevards, palaces, museums, churches, and barracks, together with residence and manufacturing sections. It has a population of about 60,000. There are several large sugar refineries and breweries. A strong garrison of soldiers is maintained. Public squares are ornamented with statues and trophies of war. Both Frederick the Great and his father were buried here. Sans Souci is a rambling, one-story palace built on an artificial terrace. It is disappointing in appearance, but it is none the less interesting as having been the home for many years of Frederick the Great. His rooms and personal belongings are preserved scrupulously in the condition in which he left them. The clock, stopped at the moment of his death, stands silent. A room once occupied by Voltaire is shown also to visitors.