Pennypack Creek facts for kids

The Pennypack Creek is a stream about 22.6 miles (36.4 kilometers) long in southeastern Pennsylvania, United States. It flows through parts of Bucks County, Montgomery County, and the northeast area of Philadelphia. The creek eventually flows into the Delaware River.

What's in a Name? The Pennypack Creek's History

The name "Pennypack" comes from the Lenape people, who were the original inhabitants of this land. Their word pënëpèkw means "downward-flowing water" or "water without much current."

Over time, different explorers and mapmakers spelled the name in various ways. Some early names included Pennishpaska and La Riviere de Pennicpacka. The creek was also called Dublin Creek by Thomas Holme, who surveyed the area in 1687.

Where Does the Pennypack Creek Flow?

The Pennypack Creek starts in two main branches. One branch begins in Horsham, and the other in Warminster. These two branches meet in Bryn Athyn.

From there, the creek continues its journey through Lower Moreland, Abington, and finally into Northeast Philadelphia.

Pennypack Creek's Role in Early Industry

Long ago, the Pennypack Creek was a busy place with many mills built along its banks. When William Penn started the province of Pennsylvania in 1682, Swedish settlers were already living in the Pennypack valley.

In 1697, William Penn ordered the first bridge to be built over the creek. This bridge, known as the Frankford Avenue Bridge, is still standing today! Even though large boats couldn't travel far up the creek, many early settlers built mills there. These mills helped grind grain for local farmers. One famous mill was Penn's "Pemmapecka Mill," built in 1701. Another important mill, Fetter's Mill, is now a historic site. These mills helped the nearby area of Holmesburg grow.

From Mills to Parks: Pennypack Creek Today

As new technologies like the steam engine came along, water power became less important for factories. Many of the mills along the Pennypack Creek eventually closed down.

By 1905, the city bought much of the land around the creek to turn it into parks. Today, the Pennypack Creek flows through beautiful green spaces like Pennypack Park in Philadelphia and Lorimer Park in Montgomery County. Parts of the park trails are even part of the East Coast Greenway, a huge trail system that connects Maine to Florida!

Historic Bridges Crossing the Pennypack Creek

Many old and interesting bridges cross the Pennypack Creek and its smaller streams.

• The Frankford Avenue Bridge was built in 1697. It's a stone bridge with three arches and is the oldest stone bridge in the United States still being used!
• The Fetters Mill Road Bridge is a special type of bridge called a Pratt through-truss bridge. It was built in 1883 and is still in use.
• The Krewstown Road Bridge is a stone arch bridge from 1800. It was updated in 1907 and is still used today.
• The Holme Avenue Bridge, built in 1918, is a concrete arch bridge that is still in use.
• The Roosevelt Boulevard Bridge, another concrete arch bridge, was built in 1920 and is still used.
• The Holme Avenue Bridge (a different one, over Wooden Bridge Run) was built in 1921 and is also still in use.
• The Ryan Avenue Bridge, a concrete arch bridge over Sandy Run, was built in 1929 and is still used.
• The Rhawn Street Bridges are two concrete arch bridges built in 1930 that are still in use.