Reading Terminal & Market
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
Marker Inscription
The Philadelphia and Reading Railroad's 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 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
The Story
Opened in 1893, the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad's Terminal Station carried passengers into the heart of the city until 1984. Its vast train shed, designed by engineer Joseph H. Wilson, was a marvel of its age, built when competing railroads raced to erect terminals that were as beautiful as they were useful. Beneath the shed, the Reading Terminal Market — descended from Philadelphia's colonial-era outdoor markets — opened in 1892 and still bustles today.
Why it matters
The terminal and its market embody the golden age of American railroading and the enduring civic tradition of the public market, both woven into the fabric of Philadelphia life.
Plan your visit
NearbyMake a day of it — museums, food, and places to stay near this marker.
Museums & culture
- African American Museum in Philadelphia0.4 mi away · 701 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Bridgette Mayer0.4 mi away · 709 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Independence Visitor Center0.5 mi away · 599 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Liberty Bell Center0.5 mi away · 526 Market Street, Philadelphia
- Congress Hall0.5 mi away · Philadelphia, PA
- National Constitution Center0.5 mi away · 525 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA
Attractions
- Reading Terminalnearby
- Chinatown Friendship Gate0.2 mi away · 10th and Arch Street
- One Liberty Observation Deck0.5 mi away
- President's House0.5 mi away
- Liberty Bell0.5 mi away · 526 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Benjamin Franklin Grave0.6 mi away
Food & drink
- Burger King0.3 mi away
- Philly Pretzel Factory0.3 mi away
- Munchie’s Cafe0.3 mi away · 728 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- El Azteca0.4 mi away
- Park’s Salad Bar0.4 mi away
- Lamberti Pizza & Market0.4 mi away · 707 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
Places to stay
- ROOST East Marketnearby
- Philadelphia Marriott Downtownnearby · 1201 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Hilton Garden Inn Philadelphia Center Citynearby · 1100 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Loews Philadelphia Hotelnearby · 1200 Market Street, Philadelphia
- Canopy by Hilton Philadelphia Center Citynearby · 1180 Ludlow Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Home2 Suites by Hilton Philadelphia - Convention Center, PA0.1 mi away · 1200 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA
Places data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Hours and details change — call ahead.
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Related people
- · Joseph H. Wilson
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
Broad Street Station
Philadelphia, PA · est. 1999
When the Pennsylvania Railroad opened Broad Street Station in 1881 and enlarged it in 1893, it became for a time the world's largest railroad passenger terminal, its great arched train shed a marvel of the age. The long elevated stone viaduct feeding it—nicknamed the "Chinese Wall"—cut across the city until the station and its tracks were finally demolished in 1952–53.
Baldwin Locomotive Works
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Matthias Baldwin established his locomotive works in Philadelphia in 1835, and it grew into the nation's leading builder of steam locomotives, shipping engines around the world. Sprawling across 17 acres and 39 buildings and employing more than 15,000 workers, it pioneered large-scale integrated manufacturing and turned a rural estate into one of the city's first factory neighborhoods. After moving to Eddystone in 1928, the great works finally fell silent in 1956.
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Thomas Ustick Walter (1804-1877)
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