Did you know that the name Wissahickon comes from the Lenape word for catfish creek? This is Wissahickon Creek. It is a place where nature and history intertwine. Wissahickon Creek is a tributary of the Schuylkill River. It runs for about 23 miles. The creek flows through Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties. It has a watershed that covers about 64 square miles.
Imagine this: You are standing by the Wissahickon Creek. The air is fresh. The sounds of the city fade away. You are surrounded by a deep gorge and dense forest. This beauty attracted Edgar Allan Poe and John Greenleaf Whittier.
The creek’s geography is dramatic. In its last 7 miles, the stream drops over 100 feet in altitude. This attracts walkers, riders and bikers. Wissahickon Creek flows through three geologic regions. There is the Newark Basin. There is also the Chester Valley. Finally, there is the Wissahickon Formation.
The Wissahickon Creek valley is home to Wissahickon schist. This is a unique rock. It has flecks of glittery mica. It also has small garnets. The stone was a common building material in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
In 1694, Johannes Kelpius arrived in Philadelphia. He came with a group of German Pietists. They sought a monastic community in the Wissahickon Creek valley. They became known as the Hermits of the Wissahickon. Kelpius meditated along the banks of the creek. He awaited the end of the world. He died in 1708. The group disbanded.
Other religious groups were associated with the Wissahickon. The first congregation of the Church of the Brethren in America baptized new members here in 1723. The Monastery still stands today. It witnesses the Wissahickon’s days as a religious refuge.
Later, the Wissahickon became an industrial center. By 1793, there were twenty-four mills along the creek. They made paper, cloth and gunpowder. The American General John Armstrong called the area the horrendous hills of the Wissahickon.
In 1869-1870, the Fairmount Park Commission took title of much of the land along the Wissahickon. They sought to prevent industrial discharges from affecting the water of the Schuylkill River. The mills were razed. The Wissahickon Valley returned to its original wilderness character.
The Wissahickon Valley retained its wilderness character because of Romanticism. This movement valued wild, free and untamed nature. Philadelphians valued their Wissahickon valley for its wild character.
In 1906, the Walnut Lane Bridge was built over the stream. It was the world’s largest concrete arch bridge at the time. The bridge joined the Roxborough and Germantown neighborhoods.
The Wissahickon Memorial Bridge carries Henry Avenue over Wissahickon Creek. It joins Roxborough and the East Falls-Germantown neighborhoods. It was completed in 1932.
Today, the Wissahickon Creek valley is part of the Fairmount Park system. It is a jewel of nature in the middle of an urban landscape. The park is a ruggedly beautiful valley for naturalists and artists. It is also for fishermen, bicyclists and hikers.
The Wissahickon Valley is one of fewer than 600 National Natural Landmarks in America. There are many miles of trails in Wissahickon Valley Park. Wissahickon Creek runs through the park and is a popular spot for fishing.
The park has also been deemed an Important Birding Area. Birdwatching enthusiasts can find wood ducks and songbirds. You might see the Acadian Flycatcher and Red-Eyed Vireo.
The Wissahickon has inspired artists and writers. Edgar Allan Poe and Fanny Kemble wrote about its beauty. The Swann Memorial Fountain contains a figure that symbolizes the Wissahickon Creek.
Wissahickon Creek is a place of natural beauty and historical significance. It is a place to escape the city. It is a place to connect with nature and history. It is a treasure for all to enjoy.