Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Eastern State Penitentiary
Penitentiary
has been designated a
National Historic Landmark
This site possesses national significance in commemorating the history of the United States of America
With the intent to reform and rehabilitate prisoners through separate confinement, architect John Haviland and the Philadelphia Society for Alleviating the Miseries of Public prisons designed Eastern State Penitentiary on a radial plan supported by advanced plumbing, heating, and ventilation systems. It housed prisoners from 1829 until 1970 and influenced prison design worldwide.
United States Department of the Interior
Designated 1965
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Landmarks • Law Enforcement. In addition, it is included in the National Historic Landmarks series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1829.
Location. 39° 58.045′ N, 75° 10.36′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in Eastern State Penitentiary. It is on Fairmount Avenue west of North 21st Street, on the right when traveling west.
this page online
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 different marker also named Eastern State Penitentiary (here, next to this marker); Eastern State Penitentiary Terrace Garden (here, next to this marker); Born at "E.S.P." (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Eastern State Penitentiary (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Eastern State Penitentiary (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Eastern State Penitentiary (within shouting distance of this marker); Synagogue (about 300
Credits. This page was last revised on June 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 26, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 192 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 26, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
