Midtown Village in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Reading Terminal & Market
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., June 29, 2009
1. Reading Terminal and Market Marker
The Philadelphia and Reading Railroads Terminal Station served passengers from 1893-1984. The train shed, masterpiece of Joseph H. Wilson, is an engineering feat reflecting the era when railroads vied for impressive terminals, both functional and beautiful. The market, located below the shed, descended from colonial-era outdoor markets and began operations in 1892.
Erected 2003 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1892.
Location. 39° 57.107′ N, 75° 9.564′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in Midtown Village. It is on Market Street near North 12th Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1113 Market St, Philadelphia PA 19107, 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: Ricketts' Circus (within shouting distance of this marker); PSFS Building (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named PSFS Building (about 300 feet
this page online
Also see . . .
1. Reading Terminal Market - America's oldest farmers' market. Visit Philly website entry (Submitted on June 30, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.)
2. Reading Terminal. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on July 16, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
3. Reading Terminal Market. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on July 16, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
4. Reading Terminal and Market - Behind the Marker. ExplorePAHistory.com (Submitted on July 21, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)
5. MarkerQuest - Reading Terminal & Market. (Submitted on October 29, 2025, by Laura Klotz of Northampton, Pennsylvania.)
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., June 29, 2009
2. Reading Terminal and Marker
Looking west along Market Street.
Photographed by Carolyn Martienssen, December 30, 2014
3. Reading Terminal and Market Marker
Photographed by Larry Gertner, September 2014
4. The repurposed train shed
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 19, 2024
5. Signage inside of Reading Terminal Market
William B. Margerum was an original merchant in Reading Terminal Market, beginning in 1893. The store is shown decorated for the Market's 60th anniversary in 1952.
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), December 13, 2025
6. Exhibit inside the PATCO Station at 12th/13th & Locust
The Reading Railroad, looking to extend passenger service into the heart of Philadelphia, erected their terminal between 1891 and 1893. The terminal was to include a train depot, passenger station, and company headquarters. The site for the expansive head house and train shed was located at the corner of 12th and Market Streets. At the time, it was the largest in the United States. The site had previously been occupied by an open air farmers' market since 1652. For 93 years, the market and the station had co-existed.
The train shed and all of its tracks were constructed one story above street level, along with the Reading Viaduct to bring trains in and out. In addition, the market was relocated within the new construction at 12th and Filbert Streets. The Reading Terminal Market is no longer utilized as a train station and has been converted into the gateway for the Pennsylvania Convention Center. The head house followed as the center's main entrance, while the train shed became the Grand Hall and ballroom. However, the historical farmers' market is still operating and remains the oldest continuously operating in the country.
Market & Twelfth Streets
1912
The train shed and all of its tracks were constructed one story above street level, along with the Reading Viaduct to bring trains in and out. In addition, the market was relocated within the new construction at 12th and Filbert Streets. The Reading Terminal Market is no longer utilized as a train station and has been converted into the gateway for the Pennsylvania Convention Center. The head house followed as the center's main entrance, while the train shed became the Grand Hall and ballroom. However, the historical farmers' market is still operating and remains the oldest continuously operating in the country.
Market & Twelfth Streets
1912
Credits. This page was last revised on December 14, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 30, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,864 times since then and 61 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 12, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 3. submitted on August 16, 2015, by Carolyn Martienssen of West Hazleton, Pennsylvania. 4. submitted on August 1, 2017, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 5. submitted on June 20, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 6. submitted on December 14, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
