# Edmund N. Bacon

(1910-2005)

## WELCOME TO SOCIETY HILL

This part of William Penn's 17th-century "greene Country Towne" was owned by the Free Society of Traders, a London development company. Because the company's flag flew on the high ground above Dock Creek, the surrounding area became known as "the Society's Hill." At the time of the American Revolution Society Hill was one of the most desirable residential

sections of the prosperous city. Over the years, however, the neighborhood began to decline. By the mid-20th century it had become a mix of neglected 18th- and 19th-century houses interspersed with factories and warehouses. The rebirth of Society Hill began in the 1950s and became a national model for neighborhood renewal. Many Philadelphians contributed,

including elected officials, public administrators and private citizens. Two men in particular brought their nationally recognized professionalism to the effort: Edmund N. Bacon and Charles E. Peterson. Society Hill residents are grateful for their vision and have dedicated this interpretive marker to them.

Edmund N. Bacon on the TIME Magazine cover of November 6, 1964

Since William Penn and his surveyor, Thomas Holme, laid out the plan for Philadelphia in 1683, no one has influenced the look of this city more than Edmund N. Bacon.

As Executive Director of the City Planning Commission from 1949 to 1970, Bacon was responsible for much of Philadelphia's post-World War II development. One of his most notable achievements was his plan for the revival of Society Hill. This plan gave priority to the historically accurate restoration of hundreds of original 18th- and early 19th-century houses. Today these restored structures are a substantial majority of Society Hill's residences.

Bacon encouraged the inclusion of high-rise apartment buildings and contemporary houses with facades sympathetic to the historic surroundings. He introduced "greenways"—landscaped, mid-block pedestrian walkways—linking the community to its historic churches, to Washington

Square and to Independence National Historical Park. (A greenway stretches from this marker north to St. Joseph's Church and south to St. Peter's Church.) Bacon's introduction of tree-lined brick sidewalks further enhanced this historic residential neighborhood that has thrived ever since.

Modified portion of the plan for the Washington Square Redevelopment Area, Philadelphia City Planning Commission, August 1961. The greenway has been added to show the greenway system as built. You are facing east, which is at the top of the map.

Courtesy of The Architectural Archives of the University of Pennsylvania, Collection of Front Wins

1961 view, looking south, of the street that became this greenway. You are where the light-colored car is parked.

Courtesy of the Philadelphia
City Planning Commission

2004 view, looking east across 3rd Street, of town-houses with the Society Hill Towers apartments beyond. All of these structures were designed by I. M. Pei and built in the early 1960s in accordance with Bacon's plan for Society Hill.

Photograph by Walter Chig, 2004

Created and installed by the
Society Hill Civic Association
in 2005

Panel design by Jef Kuty Design Associates

Structure design by Design Images