Boathouse Row is a

historic site A historic site or heritage site is an official location where pieces of political, military, cultural, or social history have been preserved due to their cultural heritage value. Historic sites are usually protected by law, and many have been rec ...

located in

Philadelphia Philadelphia, often called Philly, is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the sixth-largest city in the U.S., the second-largest city in both the Northeast megalopolis and Mid-Atlantic regions after New York City. Sinc ...

Pennsylvania Pennsylvania (; ( Pennsylvania Dutch: )), officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a state spanning the Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern, Appalachian, and Great Lakes regions of the United States. It borders Delaware to its southeast, ...

on the east bank of the

Schuylkill River The Schuylkill River ( , ) is a river running northwest to southeast in eastern Pennsylvania. The river was improved by navigations into the Schuylkill Canal, and several of its tributaries drain major parts of Pennsylvania's Coal Region. It fl ...

just north of the

Fairmount Water Works The Fairmount Water Works in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was Philadelphia's second municipal waterworks. Designed in 1812 by Frederick Graff and built between 1812 and 1872, it operated until 1909, winning praise for its design and becoming a popu ...

and the

Philadelphia Museum of Art The Philadelphia Museum of Art (PMoA) is an art museum originally chartered in 1876 for the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia. The main museum building was completed in 1928 on Fairmount, a hill located at the northwest end of the Benjamin Fr ...

. It consists of a row of 15

boathouse A boathouse (or a boat house) is a building especially designed for the storage of boats, normally smaller craft for sports or leisure use. describing the facilities These are typically located on open water, such as on a river. Often the boats ...

s housing social and rowing clubs and their racing

shell Shell may refer to: Architecture and design * Shell (structure), a thin structure ** Concrete shell, a thin shell of concrete, usually with no interior columns or exterior buttresses ** Thin-shell structure Science Biology * Seashell, a hard ou ...

s. Each of the boathouses has its own history, and all have addresses on both Boathouse Row and

Kelly Drive A kelly drive is a type of well drilling device on an oil or gas drilling rig that employs a section of pipe with a polygonal (three-, four-, six-, or eight-sided) or splined outer surface, which passes through the matching polygonal or spline ...

(named after famous Philadelphia oarsman

John B. Kelly Jr. John Brenden "Jack" Kelly Jr. (May 24, 1927 – March 2, 1985), also known as Kell Kelly, was an American athlete, an accomplished rower, a four-time Olympian, and an Olympic medal winner. He was the son of triple Olympic gold medal winner Jac ...

). Boathouses #2 through #14 are part of a group known as the

Schuylkill Navy The Schuylkill Navy is an association of amateur rowing clubs of Philadelphia. Founded in 1858, it is the oldest amateur athletic governing body in the United States. The member clubs are all on the Schuylkill River where it flows through Fairmou ...

, which encompasses several other boathouses along the river. Boathouse #1 is Lloyd Hall and is the only public boathouse facility on the Row. Boathouse #15 houses the

Sedgeley Club The Lighthouse on Turtle Rock is a lighthouse built in 1887 to aid traffic on the Schuylkill River near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The lighthouse was constructed by Frank Thurwanger at a cost of $2,663 on an area of land just west of Boathouse Ro ...

, which operates the

Turtle Rock Lighthouse The Lighthouse on Turtle Rock is a lighthouse built in 1887 to aid traffic on the Schuylkill River near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The lighthouse was constructed by Frank Thurwanger at a cost of $2,663 on an area of land just west of Boathouse Ro ...

. The boathouses are all at least a century old, and some were built over 150 years ago.

History and importance

Boathouse Row hosts several major

rowing Rowing is the act of propelling a human-powered watercraft using the sweeping motions of oars to displace water and generate reactional propulsion. Rowing is functionally similar to paddling, but rowing requires oars to be mechanically atta ...

regatta Boat racing is a sport in which boats, or other types of watercraft, race on water. Boat racing powered by oars is recorded as having occurred in ancient Egypt, and it is likely that people have engaged in races involving boats and other wate ...

s, including the

Aberdeen Dad Vail Regatta The Dad Vail Regatta is the largest regular intercollegiate rowing event in the United States, drawing over a hundred colleges and universities from North America. The regatta has been held annually on the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia, Pennsyl ...

Stotesbury Cup The Stotesbury Cup Regatta, sponsored by the Schuylkill Navy, is the world's oldest and one of the largest high school rowing competitions. It is held annually in mid-May over a two-day period along the Schuylkill River near Boathouse Row in Phila ...

Regatta, the Navy Day Regatta, the Independence Day Regatta, and the Head of the Schuylkill. The boathouses are seen as centers of the rowing community around the United States. Rowers from the boathouses compete at every level, including local clubs, high schools, colleges, summer racing programs, and international-level athletics. A358, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, Boathouse Row at night, 2009

A358, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, Boathouse Row at night, 2009

In 1979, lights designed by architectural lighting designer Ray Grenald were installed to outline each of the boathouses, giving them a nightly Christmas-like

gingerbread house Gingerbread refers to a broad category of baked goods, typically flavored with ginger, cloves, nutmeg, and cinnamon and sweetened with honey, sugar, or molasses. Gingerbread foods vary, ranging from a moist loaf cake to forms nearly as crisp as ...

appearance and reflecting in the Schuylkill River. He proposed the lights after hearing talk of destroying the decaying Victorian boathouses. Lights on the buildings at night would serve to make them more noticed and appreciated. In 2005, after two refurbishings, the houses were outfitted with computerized

LED A light-emitting diode (LED) is a semiconductor Electronics, device that Light#Light sources, emits light when Electric current, current flows through it. Electrons in the semiconductor recombine with electron holes, releasing energy i ...

s that can light up in various colors, depending on the event or season. Boathouse Row is a

National Historic Landmark A National Historic Landmark (NHL) is a building, district, object, site, or structure that is officially recognized by the United States government for its outstanding historical significance. Only some 2,500 (~3%) of over 90,000 places listed ...

and was listed on the

National Register of Historic Places The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the United States federal government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance or "great artistic v ...

in 1987. Local universities including Drexel, Penn, and La Salle row out of houses on Boathouse Row.

Temple A temple (from the Latin ) is a building reserved for spiritual rituals and activities such as prayer and sacrifice. Religions which erect temples include Christianity (whose temples are typically called churches), Hinduism (whose temples ...

and Saint Joseph's row out of other boathouses along the Schuylkill that are not part of the Row.

Early 19th century beginnings

The history of Boathouse Row begins with the construction of the Fairmount Dam and the adjacent water works. The Dam was built in 1821 to keep brackish tidal waters from entering the city's water supply through the Fairmount Water Works, which had been completed in 1815. The

Lehigh Coal & Navigation Company The Lehigh Coal & Navigation Company was a mining and transportation company headquartered in Mauch Chunk, Pennsylvania, now known as Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania. The company operated from 1818 until its dissolution in 1964 and played an early and i ...

would become heavily involved in the

improvements Improvement is the process of a thing moving from one state to a state considered to be better, usually through some action intended to bring about that better state. The concept of improvement is important to governments and businesses, as well a ...

. The dam initially submerged the rapids, and later developments transformed the stretch of the Schuylkill between the dam and

East Falls East Falls (also The Falls, formerly the Falls of Schuylkill) is a neighborhood in the Northwest section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It lies on the east bank of the "Falls of the Schuylkill," cataracts submerged in 1 ...

from a tidal river into a slack water river resembling a very long freshwater lake. The placid man-made surface was ideal for

ice skating Ice skating is the self-propulsion and gliding of a person across an ice surface, using metal-bladed ice skates. People skate for various reasons, including recreation (fun), exercise, competitive sports, and commuting. Ice skating may be per ...

in winter and rowing in summer. In 1835, the first regatta took place between the Blue Devils and the Imps Barge clubs. The excitement from the race sparked the formation of several barge clubs, many of them short-lived.

The frame boathouses

Fairmount Dam, by Cremer, James, 1821-1893-crop-

A secondary effect of taming the Schuylkill was that the calm water provided a breeding ground for mosquitoes, which drove wealthy residents from their riverside mansions. The abandoned estates were bought by the City of Philadelphia. In 1844, the City purchased the

Lemon Hill Estate Lemon Hill is a Federal-style mansion in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, built from 1799 to 1800 by Philadelphia merchant Henry Pratt. The house is named after the citrus fruits that Pratt cultivated on the property in the early 19th century. ...

. The leaseholder of Lemon Hill operated a

beer garden A beer garden (German: ''Biergarten'') is an outdoor area in which beer and food are served, typically at shared tables shaded by trees. Beer gardens originated in Bavaria, of which Munich is the capital city, in the 19th century, and remain co ...

and allowed rowing and barge clubs to build

frame structure Framing, in construction, is the fitting together of pieces to give a structure support and shape. Framing materials are usually wood, engineered wood, or structural steel. The alternative to framed construction is generally called ''mass wal ...

boathouses on the Estate's property along the Schuylkill. In 1855, the City founded

Fairmount Park Fairmount Park is the largest municipal park in Philadelphia and the historic name for a group of parks located throughout the city. Fairmount Park consists of two park sections named East Park and West Park, divided by the Schuylkill River, with ...

by converting the

, upon which the frame boathouses were built, into a public park. At the same time, some of the established clubs wanted to regulate the sport of rowing to prevent unscrupulous practices and fixed races. As a result, in 1858, the

was founded, which eventually transformed the professional sport of rowing into an amateur sport. In 1859, the City condemned the boathouses along the Schuylkill.

Boathouses of 1860

Although the City condemned the frame boathouses, it passed an ordinance in 1860 to permit construction of three new boathouses for

Pacific Barge Club Fairmount Rowing Association is an amateur rowing club, founded in 1877. The facility, located at #2 Boathouse Row in the historic Boathouse Row of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is on the National Register of Historic Places. Fairmount originally ...

, the clubs of the

, and the

Philadelphia Skating Club The Philadelphia Skating Club and Humane Society is the oldest figure skating club in the United States. History The predecessor organization, called "The Skater's Club of the City and County of Philadelphia", was founded in 1849, and merged with ...

. After 1860, without city approval, several clubs constructed one-story boathouses similar to the frame structures that the City had previously condemned and removed, but these newer boathouses were built with brick and stone. In 1868, following an expansion of

, the City ordered the removal of all of the one-story brick and stone boathouses except for buildings belonging to the

(# 14 Boathouse Row),

2-3 Boathouse Row Fairmount Rowing Association is an amateur rowing club, founded in 1877. The facility, located at #2 Boathouse Row in the historic Boathouse Row of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is on the National Register of Historic Places. Fairmount originally ...

), and Bachelors Barge Club ( #6).

Post–Civil War boathouses

Between 1869 and 1871,

Pennsylvania Barge Club Pennsylvania Barge Club is an amateur rowing club, situated along the historic Boathouse Row of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1861 and joined the Schuylkill Navy in 1865. The club's boathouse, at #4 Boathouse Row, is also known a ...

and

Crescent Boat Club Crescent Boat Club is an American amateur rowing club located at #5 Boathouse Row in the historic Boathouse Row of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1867 when Pickwick Barge Club and Iona Barge Club merged. Crescent Boat Club joined the ...

erected a double boathouse at # 4 and # 5 Boathouse Row. In 1871, the Fairmount Park commission allowed the

University Barge Club University Barge Club of Philadelphia (also known as UBC) is an amateur rowing club located at #7 in the historic Boathouse Row of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated a National Hist ...

and the

Philadelphia Barge Club University Barge Club of Philadelphia (also known as UBC) is an amateur rowing club located at #7 in the historic Boathouse Row of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated a National Hist ...

to build a double boathouse at # 7-8 Boathouse Row. In 1873,

Malta Boat Club Malta Boat Club is an amateur rowing club located at #9 Boathouse Row in the historic Boathouse Row of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1865, the Club joined the Schuylkill Navy when it relocated to the Schuylkill River from the Delaware River and ...

and

Vesper Boat Club The Vesper Boat Club is an amateur rowing (sport), rowing club located at #10 Boathouse Row in the historic Boathouse Row of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1865 as the Washington Barge Club, the Club changed its name to Vesper Boat Club ...

built a double boathouse at # 9 and # 10 Boathouse Row. In 1874,

College Boat Club College Boat Club of the University of Pennsylvania is the rowing program for University of Pennsylvania Rowing, located in the Madeira Shell House at #11 Boathouse Row on the historic Boathouse Row of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Its membership co ...

built the boathouse at # 11 Boathouse Row. In 1878,

West Philadelphia Boat Club Penn Athletic Club Rowing Association (commonly known as Penn AC) is an amateur rowing (sport), rowing club located at #12 Boathouse Row in the historic Boathouse Row of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Penn AC was founded in 1871 as the West Philadel ...

built # 12 Boathouse Row. Five years later, in 1883,

Undine Barge Club Undine Barge Club is an amateur rowing club located at #13 Boathouse Row in the historic Boathouse Row along the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The club was founded in 1856. Undine was not initially listed as a founder of the S ...

constructed #

13 Boathouse Row Undine Barge Club is an amateur rowing club located at #13 Boathouse Row in the historic Boathouse Row along the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The club was founded in 1856. Undine was not initially listed as a founder of the S ...

. In 1892, with Crescent's permission, Pennsylvania Barge Club tore down and replaced their half of the double boathouse at # 4 Boathouse Row. In 1894, Bachelors Barge Club replaced its 1860 building at # 6 Boathouse Row. In 1902, the

was allowed to build # 15 Boathouse Row. In 1904, Fairmount Rowing Association demolished the stone building built by Pacific Barge Club at # 2 Boathouse Row and replaced the 1860 structure with a new brick structure, leaving # 3 and # 14 Boathouse Row as the only remaining boathouses dating from 1860.

Photo gallery

Historic Landmark Boathouses in 1972

File:Sedgeley72.png,

,
# 15 Kelly Drive (1902) File:Philadelphia Girls Rowing Club, 1972.png, Philadelphia Girls' Club,
#

14 Kelly Drive Philadelphia Girls' Rowing Club (commonly abbreviated PGRC) is an amateur rowing club located at #14 Boathouse Row in the historic Boathouse Row along the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is the oldest all-female rowing club in ...

(1860) File:UndineBargeClub.jpg,

,
# 13 Kelly Drive (1883) File:PennAC72.png, Penn AC Rowing Assoc.,
#

12 Kelly Drive Penn Athletic Club Rowing Association (commonly known as Penn AC) is an amateur rowing club located at #12 Boathouse Row in the historic Boathouse Row of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Penn AC was founded in 1871 as the West Philadelphia Boat Club. ...

(1878) File:College72.png,

Madeira Shell House,
#

11 Kelly Drive College Boat Club of the University of Pennsylvania is the rowing program for University of Pennsylvania Rowing, located in the Madeira Shell House at #11 Boathouse Row on the historic Boathouse Row of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Its membership co ...

(1874) File:Vesper72.png,

,
# 10 Kelly Drive (1873) File:Malta72.png,

,
#

9 Kelly Drive Malta Boat Club is an amateur rowing club located at #9 Boathouse Row in the historic Boathouse Row of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1865, the Club joined the Schuylkill Navy when it relocated to the Schuylkill River from the Delaware River and ...

(1873) File:University72.png,

,
#

7-8 Kelly Drive University Barge Club of Philadelphia (also known as UBC) is an amateur rowing club located at #7 in the historic Boathouse Row of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated a National Hist ...

(1871) File:Bachelors72.png, Bachelors Barge Club,
#

6 Kelly Drive Bachelors Barge Club is an amateur rowing (sport), rowing club located at #6 Boathouse Row in the historic Boathouse Row of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is the oldest continuously operating boathouse in the United States. It went through renov ...

(1894) File:Crescent72.png,

,
# 5 Kelly Drive (1871) File:Pennsylvania Barge Club.png,

,
# 4 Kelly Drive (1892) File:Fairmount72.png, Fairmount Rowing Assoc.,
# 2-3 Kelly Drive (1904)

Miscellaneous images

File:Boathouse Row 1876.png, Artist's rendition of the Row (c. 1860-71) File:Fairmount Falls, by Chase, W. M. (William M.), 1818 - 9-1905-crop-.png, The Row with

Lemon Hill Lemon Hill is a Federal-style mansion in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, built from 1799 to 1800 by Philadelphia merchant Henry Pratt. The house is named after the citrus fruits that Pratt cultivated on the property in the early 19th century. ...

in background (c. 1860-71) File:River scene from Old Park, by Cremer, James, 1821-1893-crop-.png, Boathouse Row (c. 1873-74), from left to right: # 14; # 9- 10; and # 7-8 after one-story structures were removed File:North from Reservoir, by Cremer, James, 1821-1893-crop-.png, Boathouse Row from the Water Works (c. 1873-74) File:Bird's-eye view from Lemon Hill Observatory, E. Fairmount Park, by Cremer, James, 1821-1893-crop-.png, Boathouse Row from

(c. 1873-74) File:Boathouse row, by George & William H. Rau-cropped.png, Boathouse Row (c. 1874-77), from left to right: # 14; #11; # 9- 10; # 7-8, # 6; # 4- 5; and # 2-3 just after #11 was built and before #12 Image:Wfm philly boathouse row.jpg, Declassified

KH-11 The KH-11 KENNEN (later renamed CRYSTAL,p.199-200 then Evolved Enhanced CRYSTAL System, and codenamed 1010 and Key Hole) is a type of reconnaissance satellite first launched by the American National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) in December 19 ...

spy satellite A reconnaissance satellite or intelligence satellite (commonly, although unofficially, referred to as a spy satellite) is an Earth observation satellite or communications satellite deployed for military or intelligence applications. The ...

image of the Row

References

External links

The Schuylkill Navy's website
with links to each of the Boathouse Row websites

Boathouse Row
from Historic American Buildings Survey.
Boathouse Row
on wikimapia.org {{National Register of Historic Places in Pennsylvania History of rowing Sports in Philadelphia National Historic Landmarks in Pennsylvania Buildings and structures on the National Register of Historic Places in Philadelphia Schuylkill River East Fairmount Park Fairmount, Philadelphia