Wissahickon Valley Park in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Forbidden Drive
1869
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, October 5, 2013
1. Forbidden Drive Marker
Forbidden Drive
In 1869 the turnpike became part of Fairmount Park. It became Upper Wissahickon Drive, free to all who came to enjoy the valley’s beauty.
With the coming of automobiles came years of debate: should the drive be a quiet park trail or busy road? In 1899 the park commission banned automobiles along the drive. But for nearly the next 30 years it received proposals to re-open the drive. The commission voted against them all and this stretch of road has been called “Forbidden Drive” ever since.
“ . . . Now the Wissahiccon is of so remarkable a loveliness that, were it flowing in England, it would be the theme of every bard, and the common topic of every tongue . . . . ”
“Morning on the Wissahiccon”
Edgar Allan Poe
In 1964 this park became one of the first seven places to be honored as a National Natural Landmark.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in
this page online
Location. 40° 1.665′ N, 75° 11.576′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in Wissahickon Valley Park. Marker is at the intersection of Forbidden Drive and Lincoln Drive, on the right when traveling west on Forbidden Drive. Marker is located in parking area 12 of Wissahickon Valley Park at Lincoln and Forbidden Drive. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6259 Forbidden Dr, 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. Battle of Germantown (here, next to this marker); Ten Box Shelter (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Battle of Germantown (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Jacob Rittenhouse Home at RittenhouseTown (approx. 0.2 miles away); Rittenhouse Town (approx. 0.2 miles away); David Rittenhouse (approx. 0.2 miles away); Rittenhouse Homestead (approx. 0.2 miles away); Colonial Herb Garden (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, October 5, 2013
2. Forbidden Drive Marker
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, October 5, 2013
3. Marker on Forbidden Drive
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, Forbidden
4. Forbidden Drive Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 6, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 730 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 6, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
