Refuge in the country
In November of 1793, Washington, his staff and cabinet, along with many other Philadelphia upper and middle class residents, found temporary housing in Germantown nine miles away until the deadly yellow fever epidemic ended. In town, Philadelphians of African descent organized to nurse the sick and bury the mounting number of dead.
Erected by National Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Disasters • Science & Medicine • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical month for this entry is November 1793.
Location. 39° 57.031′ N, 75° 9′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in William Penn Annex East. It is at the intersection of Market Street and South Independence Mall West (6th Street), on the left when traveling west on Market Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 101 Market St, Philadelphia PA 19106, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Pennsylvania. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, New Netherland, and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Death Carts (here, next to this marker); A Day of Reciprocity (here, next to this marker); Promoting the Abolition of Slavery (here, next to this marker); The opener of the Way (here, next to this marker); "Burn this treaty to Hell!"
this page online
Other markers no longer nearby. The Executive Branch (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed); "I am free now" (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed).
More about this marker. The marker is highly reflective and difficult to photograph straight on.
Also see . . .
1. Yellow Fever Attacks Philadelphia, 1793. (Submitted on March 26, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
2. Yellow Fever. (Submitted on March 26, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
3. The Great Fever: Epidemic in Philadelphia, 1793 (PBS American Experience). (Submitted on March 26, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
4. Diagnosing and Treating Yellow Fever in Philadelphia, 1793 (Middle School Lesson Plan). (Submitted on March 26, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
Credits. This page was last revised on May 7, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 26, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 317 times since then and 52 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 26, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
