Walking along Forbidden Drive in Wissahickon Valley Park, you’ll start to notice some cool features, like the remnants of old stone buildings or maybe an old water fountain.
Wissahickon is filled with so many “hidden gems” with interesting stories or histories behind them. These gems are fun to encounter as you hike along the several miles of trails within the park.
If you are a first-time visitor to Wissahickon, you might not know where to find them. That’s where this list comes in handy, which includes 10 of the best features inside Wissahickon, listed from north to south.
Wissahickon Valley Park History
One of the reasons Wissahickon has so many fun and unique features throughout the park is because of its history.
Some of the ruins and decorative features are from the many mills that operated along the Wissahickon Creek. They were prominent from the mid-1600s until the 1880s.
Many of the names inside the park are from previous mill owners, like Joseph Gorgas (Gorgas Creek) and Williams Kitchens (Kitchens Lane).
The Fairmount Park Commission began acquiring the land through purchase or donation in the 1860s through the Great Depression. Now, we can enjoy the many trails, and the fun finds within the park.
Leave No Trace: When you visit Wissahickon Valley Park, please be respectful of the park and other visitors. Stay on established paths, pack out your trash (including food waste), and leave what you find behind.
The Best Unique Features in Wissahickon Valley Park
Thomas Mill Covered Bridge
Where to Find It: The Thomas Mill Covered Bridge is between Forbidden Drive and the Orange Trail, about a half-mile south of W. Bells Mill Road.
Probably the most popular bridge and feature in Wissahickon, the Thomas Mill Covered Bridge is a must-see. It’s also the only covered bridge inside a major city in the United States! So, it’s worth visiting for that alone. But of course, the views of the bridge are beautiful any time of year.
Teedyuscung Statue
Where to Find It: On the White Trail, heading north about 1/10 mile from Rex Avenue. There are stone steps that lead down to the marble statue.
Dedicated in 1902 and created by sculptor John Massey Rind, the 15-foot marble statue was made to replace an old wooden statue of Teedyuscung. However, Teedyuscung was Lenape, and they never wore headdresses like the statue. The sculpture looks more like a member of a plains tribe.
Stone Archway and Stairs
Where to Find It: At the start of Orange Trail on Rex Avenue
I couldn’t find much history about this stone archway and set of stairs, but as one of my favorite features in Wissahickon, I had to include it on the list.
Pro Bono Water Fountain
Where to Find It: Forbidden Drive between Margarge Dam and the Rex Avenue Bridge
Built in 1854, water from a spring above traveled downward to the fountain to quench the thirst of travelers on the Wissahickon Turnpike (now Forbidden Drive). the fountain is made of white marble and granite.
The water fountain‘s inscriptions read “Pro Bono Publico” and “Esto Perpetua,” which mean “For the Public Good” and “Let It Remain Forever,” respectively. Unfortunately, it was sealed up in 1957, giving it only a 103-year run.
Shakespeare Quote
Where to Find It: Along the Orange Trail, next to the Devil’s Pool (half-mile south of Valley Green Road)
Right off the Orange Trail, by the Devil’s Pool, a large boulder has a quote engraved into it from Shakespeare’s “The Two Gentlemen of Verona.” I couldn’t find any history of why it’s there, but it’s neat to see.
The quote, from Act 2, Scene 7, reads,
“The current that with gentle murmur glides, Thou know’st, being stopped, impatiently doth rage, But when his fair course is not hinderèd,
He makes sweet music with th’ enameled stones,
Giving a gentle kiss to every sedge
30 He overtaketh in his pilgrimage;
And so by many winding nooks he strays
With willing sport to the wild ocean.”
Fingerspan Bridge
Where to Find It: On the Orange Trail, about 3/10 mile south of Livezey Lane
The Fingerspan Bridge is artist Jody Pinto’s first permanent work. The bridge was installed in 1987 and is 59 feet long, 9 feet tall, and 4 feet wide. It crosses a 40-foot-deep crevasse, which you can see through the grated floor.
Gorgas Cave
Where to Find It: Right off the Yellow Trail along Gorgas Creek (near Forbidden Drive).
The Gorgas Cave is a small cave inside a 20-foot rock outcropping. It was man-made, created by the Roxborough Mining Company in the 1760s while they were looking for “ores and minerals.” There is a small opening inside the cave that kids can easily climb through.
Springhouse
Where to Find It: Along Forbidden Drive, about 250 feet north of the Mount Airy entrance bridge.
The springhouse is set back from Forbidden Drive. You’ll see some stone steps and a short path leading to the structure. It used to have a wrought iron door, but the last time we were there, the door had been removed.
Toleration Statue
Where to Find It: Off the Orange Trail, about a 1/4 mile south of Kitchen’s Lane, you’ll find an unmarked path that leads up to the Toleration Statue.
Erected in 1883, the Toleration Statue is believed to be a likeness of William Penn, as it depicts a man in Quaker clothing. It was created by artist Herman Kim and placed on Mom Rinker’s Rock inside the park by John Welsh. The statue is about 9.5 feet tall and has the word “Toleration” carved into its four-foot-three-inch base.
Walnut Lane Bridge
Where to Find It: The Walnut Lane Bridge crosses the White Trail, Orange Trail, and Forbidden Drive at the southern end of the park.
When it was built in 1908, the Walnut Lane Bridge was a modern marvel. It was one of the first reinforced concrete bridges ever built and was also the highest and longest bridge in the world!
You can walk under the bridge in three different places. All three offer an interesting view, but you truly get an idea of the size and height of the bridge when you’re walking on Forbidden Drive.
Hidden Gems in Wissahickon Wrap-Up
Wissahickon is one of those places where you can always see something you haven’t seen before. Between the ruins and remnants of its industrial past or some of the “newer” additions, the park has so many unique features. There are even more that aren’t on this list!
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