William Penn Annex East in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
A Landscape Transformed
Independence National Historical Park
| | National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior | |
Prior to the establishment of Philadelphia in 1682, this land was part of L๋napeh๒kink, where the Lenape thrived for countless generations. Since then, the landscape before you has changed many times, eventually becoming the heart of Philadelphia's business district. By the early 1900s, the area was in decline and park advocates struggled with how to showcase Independence Hall.
With the creation of Independence National Historical Park in 1948, federal, state, and local officials decided to clear several adjacent blocks of deteriorating buildings to create an open park.
In the 1950s the wrecking ball went to work, tearing down buildings that dated from the late 1800s and clearing the way for the central feature of the national park todayIndependence Mall.
[Captions:]
By 1950, many of the buildings in this photograph posed fire hazards and officials worried about the safety of Independence Hall.
Demolition work on Independence Mall, 1952.
Independence Mall, 1971. At this time the Liberty Ball remained on display in the back hallway of Independence Halltry to find the viewing windows on the back door.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed
this page online
Location. 39° 56.982′ N, 75° 9.005′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in William Penn Annex East. It is on Market Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 526 Market St, Philadelphia PA 19106, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Pennsylvania. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, New Netherland, and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A Place of Power, Ideals, and Promise (here, next to this marker); Continuing Inspiration (here, next to this marker); Welcome to the Liberty Bell. (a few steps from this marker); James Forten, 1776 - 1842 / Ki-onTwog-Ky or Cornplanter, 1732/40 - 1836 (a few steps from this marker); Preserving America's Treasures (within shouting distance of this marker); Notable Visitors to the Liberty Bell (within shouting distance of this marker); Notable Liberty Medal Ceremonies (within shouting distance of this marker); The People's Plaza (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 3, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 3, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 434 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 3, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
