Anthony J. Drexel (1826-1893)
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
Marker Inscription
Entrepreneur and philanthropist Drexel created the world's 1st trans-Atlantic banking network from an office located here. It financed many U.S. railroads and businesses of the industrial era. Founder of Drexel University.
Erected by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
The Story
From an office on this site, financier Anthony J. Drexel built what the marker calls the world's first trans-Atlantic banking network, channeling European capital into the railroads and enterprises driving America's industrial boom. A noted philanthropist, he also founded the institution that became Drexel University. His firm helped make Philadelphia a hub of Gilded Age finance.
Why it matters
Drexel's banking bridged Old World money and New World industry, financing the infrastructure that transformed the United States into an industrial power.
Plan your visit
NearbyMake a day of it — museums, food, and places to stay near this marker.
Museums & culture
- Science History Institutenearby · 315 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Museum of the American Revolutionnearby · 101 South 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA
- National Liberty Museumnearby · 321 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia
- Fragments of Franklin Courtnearby
- Benjamin Franklin Museumnearby
- Independence Living History Centernearby
Attractions
- First Bank of the United Statesnearby · 120 South 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Carpenters' Hallnearby · 320 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Second Bank of the United States0.1 mi away · 420 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- City Tavern0.1 mi away · 138 South 2nd Street
- Liberty Bell0.2 mi away · 526 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
- President's House0.2 mi away
Food & drink
- Olivier Cafenearby · 50 South 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA
- National Mechanicsnearby · 22 South 3rd Street, Philadelphia
- Menagerie Coffeenearby · 18 South 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Buddakannearby · 325 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- PrimoHoagiesnearby · 304 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Forknearby · 306 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
Places to stay
- Best Western Plus Independence Park Hotelnearby · 237 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Apple Hostels Philadelphianearby · 32 South Bank Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Apple Hostelsnearby · 33 Bank Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Renaissance Philadelphia Downtown Hotel0.1 mi away · 401 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Thomas Bond House0.1 mi away · 129 South 2nd Street, Philadelphia
- The Philadelphia House0.2 mi away · 17 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA
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Related people
- · Anthony J. Drexel
Themes & tags
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