Wood Street Riverbank Steps
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
Marker Inscription
The steps here are the only surviving example of ten passageways along the original Delaware River bank commissioned by William Penn in the early 1700s. Providing public access to the river wharves, the steps promoted transportation, commerce, and westward expansion in Pa.
Erected by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
The Story
In the early 1700s, William Penn ordered a series of ten stone stairways cut into the Delaware River bank, giving Philadelphians public passage down to the busy wharves below. In a port city whose lifeblood was river commerce, these humble steps carried merchants, dockworkers, and goods between the streets and the water. The Wood Street stairs are the last of the ten to survive — a rare physical trace of Penn's original waterfront plan.
Why it matters
It preserves a tangible piece of colonial Philadelphia's identity as a great port, where river access fueled the commerce and expansion of Penn's colony.
Plan your visit
NearbyMake a day of it — museums, food, and places to stay near this marker.
Museums & culture
- Illadelph Glass Gallery0.4 mi away · 68 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Betsy Ross House0.4 mi away · 239 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Muse Gallery0.4 mi away · 52 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Larry Becker Contemporary Art0.4 mi away · 43 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Paradigm Gallery + Studio0.5 mi away · 12 North 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA
- National Constitution Center0.5 mi away · 525 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA
Attractions
- Elfreth's Alley0.3 mi away
- U.S. Mint at Philadelphia Tour0.5 mi away
- Benjamin Franklin Grave0.5 mi away
- First Bank of the United States0.7 mi away · 120 South 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA
- President's House0.7 mi away
- City Tavern0.7 mi away · 138 South 2nd Street
Food & drink
- 3J's Cafe0.5 mi away · 317 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Bubble Tea Room0.5 mi away · 319 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
- PrimoHoagies0.5 mi away · 304 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Fork0.5 mi away · 306 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Menagerie Coffee0.5 mi away · 18 South 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA
- National Mechanics0.6 mi away · 22 South 3rd Street, Philadelphia
Places to stay
- Holiday Inn Express Philadelphia E - Penns Landing0.2 mi away · 100 North Christopher Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia
- Penn's View Hotel0.4 mi away · 14 North Front Street, Philadelphia
- The Philadelphia House0.4 mi away · 17 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Wyndham Philadelphia Historic District0.5 mi away · 400 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Apple Hostels0.6 mi away · 33 Bank Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Apple Hostels Philadelphia0.6 mi away · 32 South Bank Street, Philadelphia, PA
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Related people
- · William Penn
Themes & tags
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