Newkirk Monument

Did the Newkirk Monument always stand here, so close to the Schuylkill River? No. This imposing 15-foot white marble obelisk has had a rather interesting journey. The Newkirk Monument, erected in 1839, originally stood about 700 feet further inland. It proudly marked the completion of the Newkirk Viaduct, also known as Gray’s Ferry Bridge. This bridge was a monumental achievement. It carried the first direct rail line between Philadelphia and Baltimore, following the historic King’s Highway. The monument’s creation was no small affair. It was designed by none other than Thomas Ustick Walter, the future Architect of the Capitol. Imagine the scene in 1839 as workers carefully installed the seven pieces of carved marble. The monument bears the name of Matthew Newkirk, the president of the Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad. The inscription also lists 51 railroad builders and executives who contributed to this important project. It’s a testament to the vision and hard work of those who connected Philadelphia to the south by rail. The monument eventually fell into disrepair and obscurity. Hidden amongst growing railyards, its visibility diminished. Sometime between 1927 and 1930, the Newkirk Monument was moved again, about 600 feet inland. It sat near the now-demolished Grays Ferry Station. Its presence, though diminished, was a silent observer to the bustling rail traffic along what is now Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor. Finally, in 2016, the Newkirk Monument found its current home here, along Bartram’s Mile. Now, rediscovered and restored, it stands as a reminder of Philadelphia’s rich railroad history and the men who built the nation’s early infrastructure.