Fishtown in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Penn Society Obelisk
Penn Treaty Park
Photographed By Don Morfe, May 16, 2015
1. The Penn Society Obelisk Marker
Inscription.
The Penn Society Obelisk. Penn Treaty Park. On 19 September 1825, a report on the location of Penn’s Great Treaty was read by Robert Vaux, Vice-President of the Council of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. It was Vaux’s suggestion that the society should plan an “obelisk of granite” with the appropriate inscription at the traditional spot of the treaty where the great elm had once stood at Shackamaxon. The obelisk was erected by the Penn Society in 1827 and is the earliest public monument in Philadelphia. Over the years, there has been debate about whether or not the obelisk actually marks the spot of the great elm. It was this debate that initiated the movement to make a history site of the land surrounding the obelisk. Thus, the notion of Penn Treat Park was born.
On 19 September 1825, a report on the location of Penn’s Great Treaty was read by Robert Vaux, Vice-President of the Council of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. It was Vaux’s suggestion that the society should plan an “obelisk of granite” with the appropriate inscription at the traditional spot of the treaty where the great elm had once stood at Shackamaxon. The obelisk was erected by the Penn Society in 1827 and is the earliest public monument in Philadelphia. Over the years, there has been debate about whether or not the obelisk actually marks the spot of the great elm. It was this debate that initiated the movement to make a history site of the land surrounding the obelisk. Thus, the notion of Penn Treat Park was born.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Native Americans • Notable Places. A significant historical date for this entry is September 19, 1825.
Location. 39° 58.008′ N, 75° 7.722′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in Fishtown. Marker is on North Beach Street. The marker is located at the base of the William Penn statue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Philadelphia PA 19125, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Great Treaty (here, next to this marker); The Great Elm (here, next to this marker); Fairman’s Mansion
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 19, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 486 times since then and 55 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on May 19, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
