Essington in Delaware County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Lazaretto Quarantine Station

By Beverly Pfingsten, December 27, 2008

1. Lazaretto Quarantine Station Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

A rare surviving example of a quarantine station, the Lazaretto was the introduction to America for many immigrants. Established in 1799 in reaction to a yellow fever epidemic, it operated until 1893 to inspect cargo and passengers for infectious diseases. Affected cargo was fumigated or destroyed and ill passengers were hospitalized and quarantined until recovery or death. The cemetery was here and original structures remain nearby.

Erected 2008 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

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

Location. 39° 51.733′ N, 75° 17.968′ W. Marker is in Essington, Pennsylvania, in Delaware County. Marker is at the intersection of 2nd Street and Lagrange Ave., on the right when traveling north on 2nd Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Essington PA 19029, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within

Lazaretto Quarantine Station Marker and Cemetery image. Click for full size.

By Beverly Pfingsten, December 27, 2008

2. Lazaretto Quarantine Station Marker and Cemetery

3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Governor Printz Park (approx. 0.2 miles away); New Sweden (approx. 0.2 miles away); Johan Printz (approx. ¼ mile away); Tinicum (approx. half a mile away); Tinicum Township (approx. half a mile away); Morton Homestead (approx. 1.1 miles away); John Morton (approx. 1.8 miles away); Sun Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company (approx. 2.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Essington.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Lazaretto - Tybee Island, GA

Also see . . .
1. Lazaretto Quarantine Station - Tinicum Township, PA. (Submitted on December 27, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.)
2. Lazaretto Quarantine Station - Behind the Marker. ExplorePAHistory.com (Submitted on July 19, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)

3. Philadelphia Lazaretto - wikipedia. (Submitted on May 4, 2012, by Keith S Smith of West Chester, Pennsylvania.)
4. Lazaretto Quarantine Station Rescued - Philadelphia inquirer Article. (Submitted on March 25, 2020, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland.)

Additional comments.
1. Philadelphia Lazaretto - America’s First Quarantine Hospital
The Philadelphia Lazaretto was the first quarantine hospital in the United States, built in 1799, in Tinicum Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania.

Lazaretto Quarantine Station image. Click for full size.

By Bill Pfingsten, December 27, 2008

3. Lazaretto Quarantine Station

The site was originally inhabited by the Lenni-Lenape Indians. The facility predates similar national landmarks such as Ellis Island and Angel Island and is considered both the oldest surviving quarantine hospital and the last surviving example of its type in the United States.

— Submitted May 4, 2012, by Keith S Smith of West Chester, Pennsylvania.

Lazaretto Quarantine Station Outbuilding image. Click for full size.

By Beverly Pfingsten, December 27, 2008

4. Lazaretto Quarantine Station Outbuilding

Delaware River behind Lazaretto image. Click for full size.

By Bill Pfingsten, December 27, 2008

5. Delaware River behind Lazaretto

Credits. This page was last revised on March 25, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 27, 2008, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,406 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 27, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.