The Wood Street Steps: the final surviving stairway from William Penn’s port access plan
The Wood Street Steps are the last surviving stairway along Philadelphia’s old sea wall, built by William Penn to provide public access to the port area. As part of a 1684 compromise, Penn ensured at least ten stairways led to the port area near major cross streets from Vine Street to what was originally called Cedar Street, now known as South Street.
The surviving set is the only one left, despite the original plan involving more than ten stairways. Penn’s mandate reflected his belief in public access to the river wharves, though some early wealthy Quakers who owned land nearby disagreed.
The steps remain a quiet monument to a civic ideal, with the text confirming their status as the sole surviving example from Penn’s original network.
Quelle: Atlas Obscura ↗