Gazing at these ruins, it’s hard to believe this was once The Cliffs, a grand estate overlooking the Schuylkill River. The Cliffs began its story in 1753, built by Joshua Fisher as a summer retreat. This Quaker merchant sought respite from the city’s summer heat and disease. The Cliffs, a modest two-story Georgian-style home, provided the perfect escape. During the Revolutionary War, The Cliffs played a unique role. While owned by Samuel Fisher, Joshua’s son, it was rented to Sally Bache, Benjamin Franklin’s daughter. She used The Cliffs as a meeting place for a group of women who sewed clothes and bandages for Continental soldiers. Ironically, Samuel Fisher was imprisoned for suspected Loyalist beliefs during this time. The Cliffs remained in the Fisher family for over a century. Deborah Fisher, Samuel’s daughter, married into the Wharton family. Their son, Joseph Wharton, spent his childhood summers at The Cliffs. He later founded Bethlehem Steel and the Wharton School of Business. In 1868, Philadelphia purchased The Cliffs as part of Fairmount Park. It then housed park employees until 1970. Sadly, in 1986, an arsonist’s fire destroyed The Cliffs, leaving only the stone walls. The ruins stand today, a stark reminder of its rich history.
Building 662
“Building 662, a sturdy brick structure, stands before you.” “It’s not a grand masterpiece, but a testament to practicality,” “Built