Fairmount Park
The city of Philadelphia purchased the Lemon Hill estate in 1844. This land originally belonged to Robert Morris, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. City council dedicated the property to public use on the 15th of September 1855. A series of state and local legislative acts followed over the next three years. These laws increased the holdings of the city significantly. The park grew out of this initial acquisition from private estates like Lemon Hill and Sedgeley. In 1858, the city held a design competition to re-landscape these areas for public use. Officials sought the best way to better protect the city's water supply. After the American Civil War, work progressed on acquiring and laying out West Park. During the 1870s, the Fairmount Park Commission expropriated properties along the Wissahickon Creek to extend the boundaries.
Fairmount Park hosted the 1876 Centennial Exposition within its grounds. This event marked a major milestone in the park's history. The site also became home to the first zoo in the United States, known as the Philadelphia Zoo. The park was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. Wissahickon Valley Park, located adjacent to the immediate northwest, was included in that registration document. The Belmont Plateau Cross Country Course remains a key feature today. The 1923 USA Cross Country Championships were held in the park. The 1976 USA Cross Country Championships took place there as well. These events highlight the long-standing role of the land in hosting national competitions.
Mount Pleasant stands as a historic house built between 1762 and 1765 for John Macpherson. He was a Scottish ship captain who commissioned the structure. The Philadelphia Museum of Art now administers this property. Cedar Grove Mansion dates back to 1748, 50 and is also managed by the museum. It was relocated to the park during the years 1926 through 1928. Boelson Cottage was constructed between 1678 and 1784. The Lilacs date from around 1711. Letitia Street House was built circa 1713. Ridgeland Mansion appeared in 1719. Belmont Mansion followed in 1745. The Cliffs were built in 1753 but became ruins after a fire in 1986. Woodford Mansion dates to 1756. Hatfield House was completed in 1760. Randolph House was built circa 1767 and renamed Laurel Hill Mansion in 1976. Strawberry Mansion was constructed between 1783 and 1789. The Solitude was built from 1784 to 1785 and sits within the zoo grounds. Sweetbriar Mansion appeared in 1797. Ormiston Mansion was finished in 1798. Lemon Hill Mansion dates to 1800. Chamounix Mansion was built in 1802. Rockland Mansion was constructed circa 1810. Sedgeley Mansion was built in 1799 on Lemon Hill before being demolished after city acquisition in 1857. A servant's cottage designed by Benjamin Henry Latrobe still exists as the Sedgeley Porter's House. The Ohio House was built for the Centennial Exposition of 1876.
Philadelphia Parks & Recreation oversees management of the entire citywide park system. This department was created in 2010 from the merger of the Fairmount Park Commission and the Department of Recreation. Before this change, many other parks were included in the Fairmount Park system. These included Wissahickon Valley Park in Northwest Philadelphia. Pennypack Park in Northeast Philadelphia was also part of the system. Cobbs Creek Park in West Philadelphia joined the group. Franklin Delano Roosevelt Park in South Philadelphia was another component. Fifty-eight additional parks, parkways, plazas, squares, and public golf courses spread throughout the city were included. Since the 2010 merger, the term Fairmount Park system is no longer used by the Parks & Recreation department. Adjacent areas like Wissahickon Valley Park are now considered completely separate entities. The
original domain consisted of three areas: South Park or the South Garden immediately below the Fairmount Water Works extending to the Callowhill Street Bridge. Old Park encompassed the former estates of Lemon Hill and Sedgeley. West Park included the area with the Philadelphia Zoo and Centennial Exposition grounds. Since 2010, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation divides the original park into East and West Fairmount parks.
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Common questions
When did the city of Philadelphia purchase the Lemon Hill estate?
The city of Philadelphia purchased the Lemon Hill estate in 1844. This land originally belonged to Robert Morris, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
What major event did Fairmount Park host during 1876?
Fairmount Park hosted the 1876 Centennial Exposition within its grounds. The Ohio House was built for this specific exposition and the site also became home to the first zoo in the United States known as the Philadelphia Zoo.
Which historic house stands between 1762 and 1765 for John Macpherson?
Mount Pleasant stands as a historic house built between 1762 and 1765 for John Macpherson. He was a Scottish ship captain who commissioned the structure and the Philadelphia Museum of Art now administers this property.
When was Fairmount Park placed on the National Register of Historic Places?
The park was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. Wissahickon Valley Park located adjacent to the immediate northwest was included in that registration document.
How many additional parks were part of the original Fairmount Park system before 2010?
Fifty-eight additional parks parkways plazas squares and public golf courses spread throughout the city were included in the system. Since the 2010 merger the term Fairmount Park system is no longer used by the Parks & Recreation department.