Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Escape!
1923 Callahan Escape
Escape is difficult. Only about one hundred inmates managed to do it. But avoiding recapture might be harder still. Leo Callahan did both.
[Caption:]
Leo Callahan, from his Eastern State intake card. He is believed to be the only inmate to escape from Eastern State and remain at large. Have you seen this man?
Photo: collection of Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site, gift in memory of Captain Andreas Scheerer.
Erected by Eastern State Penitentiary. (Marker Number 24.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Law Enforcement • Notable Events. A significant historical year for this entry is 1923.
Location. 39° 58.061′ N, 75° 10.292′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in Eastern State Penitentiary. It can be reached from Fairmount Avenue east of Corinthian Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2027 Fairmount Ave, Philadelphia PA 19130, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Pennsylvania. It is also in the American Northeast and in the
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Restored Bocce Court (within shouting distance of this marker); Eastern State Penitentiary (within shouting distance of this marker); Rachel Livedalen: Doris Jean (within shouting distance of this marker); Punishment Area: Cellblock 13 (within shouting distance of this marker); Greenhouse (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Eastern State Penitentiary (within shouting distance of this marker); Born at "E.S.P." (within shouting distance of this marker); Abandonment / Prisons Today (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 26, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 202 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 26, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
