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

The Great Elm

Penn Treaty Park

Photographed by Don Morfe, May 16, 2015

1. The Great Elm Marker

Inscription. The great elm of Shackamaxon is the site under which William Penn and the Delaware Indians are traditionally said to have made the Great Treaty in 1682. Since that time, the Legend and history of the celebrated event have generated admiration for William Penn and for the tree. The truce became the living symbol of the Great Treaty. During the Revolutionary War, British General Simcoe posted guards around the tree to protect it from the settlers seeking firewood. When the elm was blown down in a storm on 3 March 1810, it was 283 years old, eight feet in diameter and twenty-four feet in circumference. The next day, hundreds of people gathered to marvel at and take cuttings from the ancient tree. Part of the tree was made into a chair for Benjamin Rush, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Today there are second, third, and fourth generation cuttings of the elm at the University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Hospital, Haverford College, and Penn Treaty Park.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Horticulture & Forestry • Indigenous Peoples and Communities. A significant historical date for this entry is March 3, 1810.

Location. 39° 58.01′ N,

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75° 7.724′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in Fishtown. It is on North Beach Street. The marker is located at the base of the William Penn Statue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Philadelphia PA 19125, 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: The Penn Society Obelisk (here, next to this marker); Fairman’s Mansion (here, next to this marker); The Great Treaty (here, next to this marker); William Penn (a few steps from this marker); Penn Treaty Park: A Place of Peace (a few steps from this marker); Penn Treaty Park (within shouting distance of this marker); On this site in 1682… (within shouting

Photographed by Don Morfe, May 16, 2015

2. The Great Elm Marker

distance of this marker); Treaty Ground of William Penn (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.

William Penn Statue image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, May 16, 2015

3. William Penn Statue

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 19, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,202 times since then and 70 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 19, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.