Thomas Rowland & Sons Shovel Works
Cheltenham Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
Marker Inscription
High quality shovels and spades were produced at the Rowland Mill complex near here, founded by Benjamin Rowland, Jr. in 1795. The millworks, operated until 1901 by the Rowland family, gained an international reputation and helped to establish the value of American manufactured goods abroad. The Rowland house here remains one of the last surviving late 18th century structures associated with early American hardware production.
Erected by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
The Story
In 1795 Benjamin Rowland, Jr. founded a mill complex near here that turned out high-quality shovels and spades for a young nation. Run by the Rowland family until 1901, the works earned an international reputation and helped prove that American-made goods could compete with the finest from abroad. The surviving Rowland house is among the last 18th-century structures tied to early American hardware production.
Why it matters
The Rowland works helped establish the reputation of American manufacturing on the world stage during the Republic's earliest industrial years.
Plan your visit
NearbyMake a day of it — museums, food, and places to stay near this marker.
Museums & culture
- National Constitution Center7.8 mi away · 525 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Betsy Ross House7.8 mi away · 239 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Illadelph Glass Gallery7.9 mi away · 68 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Muse Gallery7.9 mi away · 52 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Larry Becker Contemporary Art7.9 mi away · 43 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA
- African American Museum in Philadelphia7.9 mi away · 701 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA
Attractions
- Harbison's Dairy Milk Bottle5.7 mi away
- Discovery Center at East Park Reservoir7.4 mi away
- Philly Gun Range7.4 mi away · North Percy Street
- Elfreth's Alley7.8 mi away
- Pennsylvania Railroad, Connecting Railway Bridge7.8 mi away
- U.S. Mint at Philadelphia Tour7.9 mi away
Food & drink
- Independence Mall Cafe8.0 mi away · 50 North Independence Mall East, Philadelphia
- 3J's Cafe8.0 mi away · 317 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Bubble Tea Room8.0 mi away · 319 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
- PrimoHoagies8.0 mi away · 304 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Fork8.0 mi away · 306 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Menagerie Coffee8.0 mi away · 18 South 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA
Places to stay
- Holiday Inn Express Philadelphia E - Penns Landing7.8 mi away · 100 North Christopher Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia
- Clarion Suites Philadelphia7.9 mi away · 1010 Race Street, Philadelphia
- Four Points by Sheraton Philadelphia City Center7.9 mi away · 1201 Race Street, Philadelphia
- Wyndham Philadelphia Historic District7.9 mi away · 400 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Days Inn Philadelphia Convention Center - Philadelphia7.9 mi away · 1227 Race Street, Philadelphia, PA
- The Philadelphia House7.9 mi away · 17 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA
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Related people
- · Benjamin Rowland, Jr.
Themes & tags
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