Remarkable Relic
William Penn’s Wood Street Steps still attract walk-up tourists
This is the last remaining stairway along Philadelphia’s old sea wall. The stairways were ordered by William Penn to give citizens easy public access up to the waterfront. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of Real Philly History, Real Fast.
While leaving Elfreth’s Alley during a recent private tour for four out-of-town tourists, I asked if they wanted to see William Penn’s last remaining steps.
They unanimously said, “Yes.” So we made the roundabout trek, walking north to Race Street, east to Columbus Boulevard, north toward Vine Street and west on Summer. (See more detailed directions below.)
Most everything I’ve learned about these steps comes from Harry Kyriakodis, a fellow member of the Association of Philadelphia Tour Guides and author of three books — along with an article on the steps he wrote for Hidden City Philadelphia.
In fact, the impetus for Harry’s first book, “Philadelphia’s Lost Waterfront,” a gold mine of Philly info, began with his research into a number of Penn’s stairwells, including the Wood Street Steps.
Over 300 years old
Harry says: “Other than Gloria Dei Church in South Philadelphia, this stairwell is the city’s only remaining relic of the colonial era along the Delaware.”
Why does Philadelphia have these steps? They’re the result of a 1684 compromise Philadelphia’s founder William Penn made with wealthy land owners along the riverbank. While the businesses could build on their property, Penn required convenient public access to the waterfront. At one point, there may have been as many as 12 stairways, Harry estimates.
He says the Wood Street Steps are not as high as some, because the “sheer embankment bluff” — which ranged in height from 10 to 50 feet — was lower at Wood Street than it was further south near Race, Arch, and Market streets.
How did my tourists react? They loved the steps. One said they reminded her of similar steps she saw in London. Thank you, William Penn, for another uniquely Philadelphia gift.
Walking Directions:
Take Race Street east to Columbus Blvd., and go left. Walk to Summer Street and go left. Be careful here. People going to I-95 North turn quickly there from Columbus Blvd.
Option 1:
Stay to the right and go past Vine. Walk down the left side of Water Street until you see bricks at the sidewalk. You’re there. Look up the steps.
Option 2:
Stay to the left, go up to Front St. and take a right. The steps are at 325 N. Front
View is from 325 N. Front Street looking down toward Water Street and the Delaware River. Photo by Jim Murphy.
FAST FACTS
Sign Location: 325 N. Front Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Date Sign Dedicated by Pa. Historical and Museum Commission: Oct. 12, 2013
Sign Copy: “Wood Street Riverbank Steps” — The steps here are the only surviving example of ten passageways along the original Delaware Riverbank 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.”
Some Sources:
Kyriakodis, Harry. Philadelphia’s Lost Waterfront. Charleston: The History Press. 2011.
https://hiddencityphila.org/2013/10/honoring-william-penns-steps-at-last/
https://www.delawareriverwaterfront.com/places/wood-street-steps
https://blog.phillyhistory.org/index.php/2018/11/steps-on-the-waterfront-a-vestige-of-penns-promise/