Market Street (Philadelphia) facts for kids
13th and Market Streets east of City Hall in Center City Philadelphia
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| Owner | SR 2004 from Front Street to Philadelphia City Hall PA 3 between 38th Street (US 13) and 15th Street (PA 611) in Center City Philadelphia |
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| Maintained by | PennDOT and City of Philadelphia |
| Length | 6.5 mi (10.5 km) |
| Coordinates | 39°57′10″N 75°09′57″W / 39.95266°N 75.16575°W |
| West end | PA 3 in Millbourne |
| Major junctions |
 US 13 / PA 3 in University City I-76 in University City PA 611 in Center City |
| East end | Front Street in Penn's Landing |
| North | Arch Street |
| South | Chestnut Street |
| Construction | |
| Commissioned | 1682 |
Market Street, originally called High Street, is a very important road in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. It runs from east to west across the city. This street is special because it divides Philadelphia into "north" and "south" sections. All north-south addresses in the city begin at zero from Market Street.
Market Street is also signed as Pennsylvania Route 3 for part of its length. This is between 38th Street and 15th Street. A small part of the road also goes west into Delaware County, which is next to Philadelphia.
Market Street: Philadelphia's Historic Highway
Market Street is often called the most historic highway in the United States. Many important events and people from American history are connected to its eastern part.
A Street with a Rich History
William Penn's Vision
When Philadelphia was founded, its main street was called High Street. This was a common name for the main street in English towns. However, Philadelphia's High Street was unique. The city's founder, William Penn, planned for markets to be held regularly on this wide street. He wanted it to be 100 feet (about 30 meters) wide.
From High Street to Market Street
The first market stalls were set up in the middle of High Street. They started at Front Street and moved west. These stalls soon got roofs and became permanent. More covered market sheds appeared as the city grew. Around 1800, people started calling the street Market Street. This new name became official in 1858. Interestingly, the market sheds were ordered to be removed just a year later.
Famous People and Events
Many famous Americans lived or worked near Market Street. Benjamin Franklin had his house near Fourth Street. He might have done his famous kite experiment near Third and Market Streets.
In June 1776, Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence. He wrote it in a boarding house at 700 Market Street. This house is now known as the Graff or Declaration House.
The home of Robert Morris, who helped pay for the American Revolution, was also on Market Street. This house was called the President's House. George Washington and John Adams lived there when they were president. This was before the White House was finished in 1800. The site of this house is now part of the Liberty Bell Center.
Many important financial and publishing milestones happened on Market Street in the 1700s. Today, Market Street is still a main place for business in Philadelphia.
Exploring Market Street Today
Market Street stretches from Millbourne to Front Street in Center City, Philadelphia. At Front Street, a bridge helps traffic from Penn's Landing get onto Market Street.
Getting Around Market Street
Between 20th Street and 15th Street, Market Street is one-way for eastbound traffic. Westbound traffic uses JFK Boulevard instead. The entire length of Market Street is part of Philadelphia's High Injury Network. This means it's a street where many traffic accidents happen. To make it safer, there are protected bike lanes between 15th and 20th Streets. There are also painted bike lanes further west.
Philadelphia City Hall interrupts Market Street between 15th Street and Juniper Street. So, Market Street doesn't directly cross Broad Street. However, a path for people continues Market Street across the City Hall block.
West of City Hall, Market Street crosses the Schuylkill River using the Market Street Bridge. It then goes through University City and West Philadelphia. The SEPTA Market–Frankford Line runs along Market Street. It's a subway east of 44th Street and an elevated train above the street west of there.
Important Buildings and Places
Many famous landmarks are found along Market Street:
- Independence National Historical Park is at 5th and Market Streets. This park includes Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. It's where the United States was born as a nation.
- The James A. Byrne United States Courthouse is at 601 Market Street.
- The Fashion District Philadelphia is a large shopping mall between 9th and 12th Streets. The Pennsylvania Convention Center is right next to it.
- The Reading Terminal, a historic railroad station, is at 12th and Market Streets. It's now a grand entrance to the Convention Center.
- The PSFS Building, the first International Style building in the U.S., is at Market and 12th streets.
- Philadelphia City Hall stands where Market Street meets Broad Street. You can access many subway lines from here.
- One Liberty Place is at 17th and Market Streets. It was once Philadelphia's tallest building.
- The June 5th Memorial Park is at 22nd and Market Street. This park remembers six people who died when a building collapsed in 2013.
- 30th Street Station is at 30th and Market streets. It's one of the busiest train stations in the country.
- In University City, Market Street goes through the campuses of Drexel University and University City Science Center. This part of Market Street is also called "Avenue of Technology."
Market Street in Pop Culture
Market Street has been mentioned in songs and shown on TV:
- In 1933, the Bing Crosby song "Down the Old Ox Road" mentions "Market Street in Philly."
- From 2005 to 2012, Market Street and a neon sign at Penn's Landing were shown in the opening of the TV show It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
- In 2008, the band ZOX referenced "Market Street and 4th" in their song "The Wait, Part II."
Other Names for Market Street
Market Street has different names for different sections:
- Market East is the area from Juniper Street to 6th Street. This part has been a shopping center since the early 1800s.
- Market West is from 15th Street to 30th Street. This area has many tall office buildings.
- Avenue of Technology is from 34th Street to 38th Street. This section is known for its technology-related businesses and schools.
- Pennsylvania Route 3 is the official state route designation from Philadelphia City Hall at 15th Street to 38th Street.
Images for kids
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Broad Street Station (demolished 1953), NW corner of Broad and Market Streets, before 1901.
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A 1903 photograph of the train-shed wall on Market Street from 15th Street to 16th Street.
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1700 block of Market Street in the Penn Center area west of City Hall.
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30th Street Station, a very busy Amtrak station, at 2955 Market Street.
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Reading Terminal at 1115-1141 Market Street.
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Pennsylvania Convention Center at 12th Street.
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Fashion District Philadelphia entrance at 9th Street and Market Street.
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Independence National Historical Park located between 5th and 6th Streets.
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Market Street, looking west from 8th Street, in the mid-1980s.
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Market Street at 63rd Street at the border with Delaware County.
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3700 block of Market Street looking east from University City.
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The former Lit Brothers Department Store, now Market Place East.
