Fairmount Park in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Engine & Mill Houses
Three buildings here once housed machinery which pumped water from the Schuylkill River up to a reservoir built atop Faire Mount, where the Philadelphia Museum of Art now stands.
Engine House
The tallest of the three buildings was constructed between 1812 and 1815 to resemble a Federal-style country house. It housed two wood-burning steam engines. Costly and dangerous to operate, the steam engines were abandoned in 1822. The building was later used as an ice cream parlor, saloon and restaurant.
Old Mill House
The red brick deck in front of you is the roof of the Old Mill House, built 1818-1821. Eight waterwheels, located in the machine level below, were propelled by river water.
New Mill House
Between 1859 and 1862 a second mill house was constructed to house three water-powered Jonval turbines. Its roof is the deck with gray paving stones to your right.
Erected by Fairmount Park Conservancy.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Charity & Public Work • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1812.
Location. 39° 58.007′ N, 75° 11.005′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Arch & Standpipe (a few steps from this marker); William Rush (a few steps from this marker); The Forebay (within shouting distance of this marker); Lafayette (within shouting distance of this marker); General Nathanael Greene (within shouting distance of this marker); How the Water Works Worked / Useful & Beautiful (within shouting distance of this marker); Friedrich von Steuben (within shouting distance of this marker); Richard Montgomery (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2024. It was originally submitted on February 9, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 121 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 9, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
