Society Hill in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Walnut Street Prison

Photographed By J. J. Prats, May 15, 2010

1. Walnut Street Prison Marker

Inscription. One of the nation’s first urban penal institutions, it confined felons, prisoners of war, Tories, and debtors from 1775 to 1838. Extending from Walnut Street to Locust Street, it was the site of numerous riots. The prison was replaced by Eastern State Penitentiary.

Erected 2008 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Places. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1775.

Location. 39° 56.85′ N, 75° 9.05′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in Society Hill. Marker is on South 6th Street just south of Walnut Street, on the left when traveling south. It is across from Washington Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Philadelphia PA 19106, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Welcome to Washington Square (within shouting distance of this marker); Washington Square (within shouting distance of this marker); Bicentennial Moon Tree (within shouting distance of this marker); Penn's Plan (within shouting distance of this marker); In Memory of the Many American Soldiers

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Tom Foglietta (within shouting distance of this marker); Historic Site in Journalism (within shouting distance of this marker); Maxfield Parrish (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.

Also see . . . Walnut Street Prison. “It was the Quakers of Philadelphia who came up with the concept for what they called a penitentiary—a place where prisoners could reflect on their crime and become truly sorry for what they had done. The Quakers believed that through reflection and repentance, inmates would give up crime and leave prison rehabilitated. Shortly after the American Revolution, a group of Quakers formed the Philadelphia Society for Alleviating the Miseries of Public Prisons, whose goal was made clear in its name. (Later the group became known as the Pennsylvania Prison Society.) In the years after the Revolution this group worked to encourage prison reform, and its efforts finally paid off in 1790 when the Walnut Street Jail became the first state penitentiary in the country.” (Submitted on May 15, 2010, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.)

Photographed By J. J. Prats, May 15, 2010

2. Walnut Street Prison Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 15, 2010, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 3,025 times since then and 183 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 15, 2010, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.