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

The Johnson House

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, October 4, 2014

1. The Johnson House Marker

Inscription. Built in 1768 for John Johnson. This was home to three generations of a Quaker family who worked to abolish slavery and improve living conditions for freed African Americans. In the 1850s the house was a station on the Underground Railroad. Here and in the smaller buildings on the property, men and women escaping slavery found shelter on their way to freedom.

Erected 1995 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, and the Quakerism series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1768.

Location. 40° 2.584′ N, 75° 10.864′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in Germantown. Marker is at the intersection of Germantown Avenue and Washington Lane, on the right when traveling south on Germantown Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6306 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia PA 19144, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Johnson House Historic Site (within shouting distance of this marker); Birth • Brokenness • Healing • Transformation (within shouting distance

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

of this marker); The Concord School House (within shouting distance of this marker); Soldiers of the War of 1812 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Revolutionary Soldiers Buried Here (about 300 feet away); The Upper Burial Ground (about 300 feet away); First Mennonite Church in America (about 800 feet away); Rittenhouse (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.

Also see . . .
1. Official Johnson House Website. (Submitted on March 3, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.)
2. Independence Hall Association entry for the Johnson House. ...the Johnson House has twice seen events that shaped America's history. (Submitted on March 3, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.)

3. The Johnson House - Behind the Marker. ExplorePAHistory.com (Submitted on July 21, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)

Johnson House Underground Railroad Station image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Eugene G Stackhouse, March 2, 2008

2. Johnson House Underground Railroad Station

This is the only documented station of the Underground Railroad in Philadelphia.

Marker on Germantown Ave. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, September 3, 2011

3. Marker on Germantown Ave.

The Johnson House image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, September 3, 2011

4. The Johnson House

This house was damaged on October 4, 1777 during the Battle of Germantown. British soldiers later raided the house for food.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 2, 2008, by Eugene G Stackhouse of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,822 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 4, 2014, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 2. submitted on March 2, 2008, by Eugene G Stackhouse of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 3, 4. submitted on September 4, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. • Christopher Busta-Peck was the editor who published this page.