By Pat Beaudet

On September 29, 2018, thirty Sierra Club members and friends set off from the Walnut Street dock in Philadelphia for a one-hour tour of the 8-mile stretch of the Schuylkill River, from the Fairmount Dam to the Delaware River confluence. A staff member of the Schuylkill River Development Corporation, which manages the riverboat tours, narrated for us.

Historical landmarks dot the region, including the Fairmount Water Works, Bartram’s Garden, and the Woodlands Cemetery. The Fairmount Water Works was built in the early 19th century to supply Philadelphia residents with water. Its Classical Revival style and reputation as a technological marvel made it a popular tourist destination then and now. Bartram’s Garden on the west side of the river was home to John Bartram, farmer and collector of American plants. Internationally known in his time, Bartram was sometimes referred to as the “king’s botanist.” His house and original garden remain open for visitors. Also on the west side of the river is the Woodlands Cemetery. William Hamilton, another 18th century botanist, built the Woodlands mansion. The property was later purchased by investors who transformed it into a cemetery. It is the final resting place of many famous Philadelphians, like Thomas Eakins, Samuel Gross and Joseph Campbell, founder of Campbell’s soup. It is a beautiful site, graced by majestic trees and Victorian funerary. It is also open to the public and worth a visit.

In addition to the historical landmarks which tell the story of early Philadelphia, we learned about present day changes to the riverview, like sculptures by Walter Hancock and Ellen Fletcher. Most significant has been the building of the Schuylkill River Multi-use Trail by various organizations and municipalities at a cost of millions of dollars. An exceptional recreation area, the SRT extends from Philadelphia all the way north to Reading, with future plans to extend it in the other direction to the Delaware River. Another exciting future development is a plan to build a bridge from Grey’s Ferry to Bartram’s Garden.

There have been numerous efforts over time to clean up the river, which became polluted during the Industrial Revolution. Still, by the time of the Clean Water Act in 1972, the river was a “dead” river. No flora or fauna could survive. Since then, 46 species of fish have returned, including catfish, perch and carp. Fishing is a popular pastime at certain points along the river. However, you are advised not to eat the fish, except for an occasional perch. Canoeing and kayaking are also popular.
I would encourage anyone interested in the past, present and future of the Schuylkill River to take one of the riverboat cruises offered by the Schuylkill River Development Corp. from May to October every year.

Visit www.schuylkillbanks.org for more information.

This blog was included as part of the 2019 Winter Sylvanian newsletter. Please click here to check out more articles from this edition!