Philadelphia’s “Land Buoy”

Candace Roberts walks up the “Land Buoy” steps at Philadelphia’s Washington Avenue Pier. “It’s great exercise,” she says. Photo by Jim Murphy, author of Real Philly History, Real Fast.

Created by Jody Pinto, the steps at Philadelphia’s Washington Avenue Pier (formerly Pier 53) mimic the spiral staircases common in small 3-story “Trinity Houses” in Philly. City Catholics nicknamed the homes – with one room on each of the three levels – Father, Son and Holy Ghost houses or Trinity Houses.

Sculptor Pinto’s grandparents and father landed at this pier along with over a million other immigrants. Visitors today to the 2014 sculpture climb 16 ft.  up a spiral staircase that winds around a 55’ mast to a platform and beacon. Views are both up and down the river. Come walk up “Land Buoy” and see the view for yourself.

Below is a photo from “Land Buoy’s opening in 2014.