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

Frank Furness

(1839-1912)

Photographed by Don Morfe, May 17, 2015

1. Frank Furness Marker

Inscription. A nationally influential architect, his forceful designs and bold use of industrial materials helped shape American modernism. His works include the Pa. Academy of Fine Arts and U. of Penn Library. Apprentice to Richard Morris Hunt and mentor to Louis Sullivan, Furness was born here.

Erected 2012 by Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) series list.

Location. 39° 56.74′ N, 75° 9.985′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in Rittenhouse Square. It is on Pine Street. The marker is in front of Peirce College. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1426 Pine St, Philadelphia PA 19102, 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

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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: On this block in 1927 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Billie Holiday (about 400 feet away); Gertrude E. H. Bustill Mossell (about 400 feet away); Wesley A.M.E. Zion Church (about 400 feet away); The Hooters (about 400 feet away); Jody Gerson (about 400 feet away); Evelyn Champagne King (about 400 feet away); The O'Jays (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.

Also see . . .
1. Frank Furness Historic Marker Dedication. Wanda Kaluza presents a simple one-minute clip of the unveiling of the Frank Furness marker. (Submitted on November 2, 2015.)

2. Furness, Frank (1839-1912) - (Philadelphia Architects and Buildings). Long disdained for what was considered the eccentricity of his architectural designs, Frank Furness has in recent years enjoyed an immense popularity. He served during the Civil War as

Photographed by Don Morfe, May 17, 2015

2. Frank Furness Marker

a Union Captain and was awarded the Medal of Honor. Although designing more than 600 buildings in Philadelphia alone, only about 100 remain. (Submitted on August 30, 2026, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Photographed by Don Morfe, May 17, 2015

3. Frank Furness Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on August 30, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 20, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 931 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 30, 2026. 2, 3. submitted on May 20, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.