Walnut Street Prison
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
Marker Inscription
One of the nation's first urban penal institutions, it confined felons, prisoners of war, Tories, and debtors from 1775 to 1838. Extending from Walnut St. to Locust St., it was the site of numerous riots. The prison was replaced by Eastern State Penitentiary.
Erected by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
The Story
Rising in Philadelphia during the Revolution, the Walnut Street Prison held a turbulent mix of humanity from 1775 to 1838 — common felons, debtors, captured British prisoners of war, and loyalist Tories alike. Its crowded cellblocks stretching from Walnut to Locust Street were the scene of repeated riots, but the institution also became a proving ground for early American ideas about punishment and reform. It was eventually superseded by the vast, radial Eastern State Penitentiary.
Why it matters
As one of the nation's first urban penitentiaries, it stood at the beginning of America's long and contested experiment with imprisonment as a system of justice and reform.
Plan your visit
NearbyMake a day of it — museums, food, and places to stay near this marker.
Museums & culture
- Bridgette Mayernearby · 709 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Congress Hall0.1 mi away · Philadelphia, PA
- Independence Hall0.1 mi away · 520 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Philosophical Hall0.1 mi away · PA
- Old City Hall0.1 mi away · Philadelphia
- Liberty Bell Center0.2 mi away · 526 Market Street, Philadelphia
Attractions
- Liberty Bell0.2 mi away · 526 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Second Bank of the United States0.2 mi away · 420 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- President's House0.2 mi away
- Carpenters' Hall0.2 mi away · 320 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- First Bank of the United States0.3 mi away · 120 South 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA
- City Tavern0.4 mi away · 138 South 2nd Street
Food & drink
- Cafe Walnutnearby · 703 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Thank You Thank You Coffee Roastersnearby · 700 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Talula's Daily0.1 mi away · 208 West Washington Square, Philadelphia, PA
- Talula's Garden0.1 mi away · 210 West Washington Square, Philadelphia, PA
- Fat Salmon0.1 mi away · 719 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Maya's Pizza & Grill0.1 mi away · 716 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA
Places to stay
- Morris House Hotel0.1 mi away · 225 South 8th Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Renaissance Philadelphia Downtown Hotel0.2 mi away · 401 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- AKA Washington Square0.2 mi away · 834 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Best Western Plus Independence Park Hotel0.3 mi away · 237 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Apple Hostels Philadelphia0.3 mi away · 32 South Bank Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Apple Hostels0.4 mi away · 33 Bank Street, Philadelphia, PA
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Related events
- · American Revolution
Themes & tags
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