Old City in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The Arsenal of Independence

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, July 25, 2017

1. The Arsenal of Independence Marker

Inscription.
Imagine this neighborhood filled with the sights, sounds, and smells of war. Philadelphia’s tradesmen and women produced muskets, cannons, ammunition, wagons, ships, uniforms, and flags that helped to win American Independence.

In 1775, hat maker Benjamin Flower lived just a block from where you are standing. He joined the Revolutionary cause and became Commissary General of Military Stores for the Continental Army. This portrait shows him standing among cannons and ammunition on what is now Philadelphia’s Franklin Square.

Erected 2017.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Revolutionary.

Location. 39° 56.914′ N, 75° 8.756′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in Old City. Marker is at the intersection of Chestnut Street and 3rd Street, on the right when traveling east on Chestnut Street. Marker is located beside the cannons in front of the Museum of the American Revolution. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 57 S 3rd St, Philadelphia PA 19106, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Declaration of Independence (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named The Declaration of Independence (within shouting distance of this

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marker); Secretary of the Treasury’s Office Site (within shouting distance of this marker); Washington Crossing the Delaware (within shouting distance of this marker); Auditor’s Office Site (within shouting distance of this marker); Elliott Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Mechanics' Union of Trade Associations (within shouting distance of this marker); First Bank of the United States (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.

More about this marker. The picture on the marker depicts Colonel Benjamin Flower, attributed to Charles Willson and James Peale, Ca. 1779-1781, from Star-Spangled Banner Flag House and Museum, Baltimore, MD.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, July 25, 2017

2. The Arsenal of Independence Marker

Marker can be seen to the right of the cannons.

Marker at the Museum of the American Revolution image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, July 25, 2017

3. Marker at the Museum of the American Revolution

Museum of the American Revolution image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, July 25, 2017

4. Museum of the American Revolution

Credits. This page was last revised on April 6, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 27, 2017, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 236 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 27, 2017, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.