The Grand Battery
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
Marker Inscription
Known also as the Association Battery, this was Pennsylvania's largest early fortification. Originally built in 1748, shortly after formation of a volunteer military force called the Association, it mounted 27 guns; within a few years it held some 50 guns. Later the first Philadelphia Navy Yard was here, 1800-1875. A short distance to the north, the smaller Society Hill Battery was built in April 1748; it mounted 13 guns.
Erected by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
The Story
In 1748 anxious Philadelphians, organized into a volunteer defense force called the Association, threw up the colony's largest fortification along the Delaware River, bristling first with 27 and soon some 50 guns. The battery guarded the river approaches to a Quaker city that had long resisted maintaining a standing military. Decades later the same strategic riverbank hosted the first Philadelphia Navy Yard from 1800 to 1875.
Why it matters
The Grand Battery marks the moment a pacifist-founded colony organized its own citizen defense, and its later role as a navy yard ties one riverbank to the birth of American naval power.
Plan your visit
NearbyMake a day of it — museums, food, and places to stay near this marker.
Museums & culture
- Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial0.8 mi away
- Hill-Physick House0.8 mi away · 321 South 4th Street
- Powel House0.9 mi away · 244 South 3rd Street
- Merchants' Exchange Building1.0 mi away · 143 South 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Independence Living History Center1.1 mi away
- Museum of the American Revolution1.1 mi away · 101 South 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA
Attractions
- USS New Jersey0.7 mi away · Wiggins Promenade, Camden, NJ
- USS Olympia0.8 mi away · South Christopher Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA
- USS Becuna0.8 mi away · South Christopher Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA
- Italian market0.9 mi away · Christian Street
- City Tavern1.0 mi away · 138 South 2nd Street
- Carousel1.0 mi away
Food & drink
- FRIEDA1.0 mi away · 320 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Olivier Cafe1.1 mi away · 50 South 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Talula's Garden1.1 mi away · 210 West Washington Square, Philadelphia, PA
- Buddakan1.1 mi away · 325 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Talula's Daily1.1 mi away · 208 West Washington Square, Philadelphia, PA
- Franklin Social1.2 mi away · 401 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
Places to stay
- Hilton Philadelphia at Penn's Landing0.9 mi away · 201 South Christopher Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA
- Philadelphia Marriott Old City0.9 mi away · 1 Dock Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Thomas Bond House1.0 mi away · 129 South 2nd Street, Philadelphia
- Apple Hostels Philadelphia1.1 mi away · 32 South Bank Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Best Western Plus Independence Park Hotel1.1 mi away · 237 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Apple Hostels1.1 mi away · 33 Bank Street, Philadelphia, PA
Places data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Hours and details change — call ahead.
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Themes & tags
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