Fairmount Park in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Historic Architecture

Discover the charming Victorian style of these gatehouses and the award-winning Treehouse.

Photographed By Larry Gertner, September 2014

1. Historic Architecture Marker

Inscription.
These gatehouses opened in time for the Centennial Exposition in 1876. Designed by the firm of Furness and Hewitt, they have been renovated several times, most recently in 1995.

The Solitude was here long before the Zoo was established. Built in 1785, it was the country estate of John Penn, grandson of William Penn.

Located along the main path of the Zoo, the Treehouse was originally the Antelope House. Designed by George Hewitt and built in 1877, it was transformed into the Treehouse in 1985. After The Solitude, the Treehouse and these gatehouses are the oldest buildings on Zoo grounds.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1876.

Location. 39° 58.474′ N, 75° 11.743′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in Fairmount Park. Marker can be reached from North 34th Street (U.S. 13/30) 0.1 miles south of West Girard Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3400 W Girard Ave, Philadelphia PA 19104, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. America's First Zoo (a few steps from this marker); The Philadelphia Zoo (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome back! (within shouting

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

distance of this marker); The Solitude (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Walter Gray Family Gardens at The Solitude (about 700 feet away); Domestic Goat Breeds (about 700 feet away); Arapawa goat / Alpaca (about 700 feet away); Domestic Sheep Breeds (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 25, 2022

2. Historic Architecture Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 7, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 337 times since then and 89 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 1, 2017, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 2. submitted on February 26, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.