Riverfront in Wilmington in New Castle County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Frank Furness Railroad District
Photographed by Bill Pfingsten, January 9, 2016
1. Frank Furness Railroad District Marker
Inscription.
Frank Furness Railroad District. . The B&O Water Street Station (1888), the Pennsylvania Railroad Office Building (1905), and the Wilmington Train Station (1907), comprise a unique campus of railroad architecture by renowned Philadelphia architect Frank Furness (1839-1912). Frequently commissioned by the nations leading railroads, Furness left his creative mark at stations large and small throughout the Northeast, though few survive. Over his half-century career, which was interrupted by service in the Civil War, Furness developed a distinctively American style in which architectural elements were manipulated in proportion and scale in order to dramatize a buildings function and character. Oversize arches, muscular moldings, and bold projecting elements distinguish his works, which were further enlivened by his idiosyncratic ornament that combined organic and geometric motifs. His Wilmington commissions included the former Security Trust and Safe Deposit Co. (1885) at the corner of Sixth and Market Streets, and the B&O Delaware Avenue Passenger Station (1886), demolished in 1960.
The B&O Water Street Station (1888), the Pennsylvania Railroad Office Building (1905), and the Wilmington Train Station (1907), comprise a unique campus of railroad architecture by renowned Philadelphia architect Frank Furness (1839-1912). Frequently commissioned by the nations leading railroads, Furness left his creative mark at stations large and small throughout the Northeast, though few survive. Over his half-century career, which was interrupted by service in the Civil War, Furness developed a distinctively American style in which architectural elements were manipulated in proportion and scale in order to dramatize a buildings function and character. Oversize arches, muscular moldings, and bold projecting elements distinguish his works, which were further enlivened by his idiosyncratic ornament that combined organic and geometric motifs. His Wilmington commissions included the former Security Trust and Safe Deposit Co. (1885) at the corner of Sixth and Market Streets, and the B&O Delaware Avenue Passenger Station (1886), demolished in 1960.
Erected 2007 by Delaware Public Archives. (Marker Number NC-175.)
Topics and series.
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This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Delaware Public Archives series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1888.
Location. 39° 44.198′ N, 75° 33.092′ W. Marker is in Wilmington, Delaware, in New Castle County. It is in Riverfront. It is at the intersection of French Street and Rosa Parks Drive, on the right when traveling south on French Street. It's near the NW corner of that intersection. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Wilmington DE 19801, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Philadelphia. It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic, on the Delmarva Peninsula, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Joseph R. Biden, Jr., Railroad Station (within shouting distance
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 29, 2021
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 29, 2021
6. Wilmington Train Station
Credits. This page was last revised on February 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 9, 2016, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,341 times since then and 28 times this year. Last updated on February 4, 2019, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos:1. submitted on January 9, 2016, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 2. submitted on October 30, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 3, 4, 5. submitted on January 9, 2016, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 6. submitted on October 30, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
