William Penn: Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

○ Historical facts of the building

William Penn had a plan

19th century city had tree’s, walks etc...

Was Built 1957

1682 blueprint drawn

A mass graveyard in 1709-1793 It’s stopped functioning as a graveyard plow wound man in tomb

○ Historical information about what happened there

SouthEast renamed for George Washington 1825

For yellow fever deaths

The last barracks for dead soldiers

1954 planning started from Washington Square Planning committee

In the 19th century John Watson reports slaves would be allowed to congregate in the square for the holidays.

○ Interesting fun facts

1682 blueprint

Used for strangers, and for occasion

Used or fishing, duck hunting, cow passure, and hay field

A statue of George

The blueprint was created in 1682. It was one of the five parks drawn by William Penn. Although the main purpose was to be a park it ended up serving for a much greater cause. It was used as a potter’s field (A potter’s field is a cemetery for unknown or indigent people) from 1706-1793. Over the years Washington Square was used as a fishing hole, hay field, duck hunting, and a cow pasture, and also used for Yellow Fever burials.

SouthEast Square was renamed for George Washington (Washington Square) in 1825. In 1954 the plan to build the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier began. The statue on the tomb is George Washington. The man inside of the tomb is a British soldier or lad. An archaeological team found a giant hole with the man going in the tomb and other people how had be buried in Washington Square. He was a Revolutionary War soldier calling himself by a new name American. He was killed by a plow wound on his head. Most likely caused by a musket ball. A plow wound is a wound that plows your flesh. It does not impale you. The tomb was built in 1957 by the Washington Square Committee. Washington Square was used for strangers deaths. That means if a visitor overstays their visit and dies they would be buried here. And for occasion deaths. If you want to get buried in Washington Square then you would maintain a spot. Washington Square, bounded by 6th & 7th Streets and Walnut Street Number-(215).965.2305. Open Daily at