Welcome to East Falls River Landing

Welcome to East Falls River Landing. East Falls: A Schuylkill River Community Timeline. , 8,000 BC - 1600s , The Lenape people are the original inhabitants of Delaware, New Jersey, Eastern Pennsylvania, and Southern New Jersey. For over 10,000 years they have been the caretakers of these lands and rivers. The Lenape had a village on the banks of the Schuylkill River here. It thrived with abundant fish, hunting grounds, wild edible plants, and trade routes., Early 1700s , Shortly after Europeans arrived here, they forced the Lenape to leave their homeland. The Lenape dispersed throughout the country. Some took refuge with other tribes. Other Lenape families remained and continue the traditions of their ancestors. Today the Lenape people here, and from all over Turtle Island (North America), are revitalizing their communities., Mid-late 1700s , In 1732 Europeans built the first fishery here, near the natural rocky falls. they named it Fort St. David. Most of the falls were submerged by rising waters when the Fairmount Dam was built at the Water Works in 1832. You can still see some rocks from the original falls under the Twin Bridges. The river still contains many types of fish, including catfish, shad, bass, eel, and shellfish., Early-mid 1800s , East Falls hosted many roadside inns and restaurants. Many visitors came on horseback or in carriages. Later, hourly steamboats from Center City would carry visitors to a landing here. Travelers and tourists enjoyed live music and locally-brewed German beer. They were served delicious meals of catfish and waffles., Late 1800s - Mid 1900s , Industry and institutions developed and thrived in East Falls. The Powers and Weightman chemical company and Dobson textile mills employed many people. Laurel Hill Cemetery and the Falls of Schuylkill Library were established. Later, the Women's Medical College and Philadelphia Textile School expanded here., 1950s - 1990s , People began to rediscover the area's natural beauty. The passage of federal environmental protection laws helped clean up the river. The city built multi-use trails on the riverbanks. Recreational events came to the area including marathons, international cycling championships, and fishing events., 2000s , The East Falls Development Corporation (EFDC) reconnects the community and business district to the river. The community embraces its unique identity as a recreational hub on the banks of the Schuylkill.