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

Elisha Kent Kane

(1820-1857)

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 27, 2019

1. Elisha Kent Kane Marker

Inscription. Born in Philadelphia, Kane was a prominent explorer of the Arctic in the 1850s. His writings after his expeditions influenced scientific and popular opinion on the polar regions. He was first to chart a course that became the route that Robert Peary used to claim the North Pole in 1909. When he died, he was so revered that his body was sent on a two-week cortege across the country before being interred in its final resting place here.

Erected 2016 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Exploration • Science & Medicine • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission series list.

Location. 40° 0.259′ N, 75° 11.422′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in Allegheny West. Marker can be reached from Ridge Avenue north of West Hunting Park Avenue (U.S. 13), on the left when traveling north. Marker is located in Laurel Hill Cemetery, Section P lot 100. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3822 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia PA 19132, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Charles Thomson (a few steps from this marker);

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Hector Tyndale (within shouting distance of this marker); Thomas McKean (within shouting distance of this marker); Commodore Isaac Hull (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); General Hugh Mercer (about 300 feet away); Chapel (about 400 feet away); Lieutenant Joseph Bonnell (about 600 feet away); Rear Admiral John Adolphus Bernard Dahlgren (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.

Also see . . . Elisha Kent Kane. He was part of the Grinnell Expedition of 1850, which went to the Arctic Circle to find the remains of the 1845-1846 Sir John Franklin expedition. He led a second expedition to the area, and persevered through great hardships His expedition's tale of survival became popular 19th Century reading subject. (Submitted on June 30, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Elisha Kent Kane Marker • wide view<br>(<i>Kane tomb partially visible behind marker</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 27, 2019

2. Elisha Kent Kane Marker • wide view
(Kane tomb partially visible behind marker)

• Kelly Drive, northbound, visible below bluff, on left •

Kane Family Tomb<br>(<i>near marker • view obscured by foliage</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 27, 2019

3. Kane Family Tomb
(near marker • view obscured by foliage)

Elisha Kent Kane Marker (<i>wide view from west • tomb bottom left • marker on right</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 27, 2019

4. Elisha Kent Kane Marker (wide view from west • tomb bottom left • marker on right)

Stairs leading down to marker and Kane family tomb are overgrown by foliage, and gate at the top is locked.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 30, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 249 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 30, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.