Frankford Arsenal

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The Frankford Arsenal was a U.S. Army ammunition plant located in the Bridesburg section of Northeast Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, adjacent to the original course of Frankford Creek.

Opened in 1816 on 20 acres of land purchased by President Madison, it was the center of U.S. military small-arms ammunition design and development until its closure in 1977. Among the many other products manufactured at the arsenal were fire-control and range-finding instruments, and gages for these components.

With the outbreak of the Civil War, the arsenal's commander, Josiah Gorgas, resigned and joined the Confederate States Army in deference to the wishes of his Alabama-born wife. By the end of the war, the arsenal employed over 1,000 workers. It served as a major site for the storage of weapons and artillery pieces, a depot for the repair of artillery, cavalry and infantry equipment, repair and cleaning of small arms and harnesses, the manufacture of percussion powder and Minie balls, and the testing of new forms of gunpowder and time fuses. During the Gettysburg Campaign, the arsenal provided tens of thousands of muskets and vast supplies of ammunition for Pennsylvania's "Emergency Militia" regiments. Among the innovations extensively tested at the Arsenal was the Gatling Gun, an early form of machine gun that saw extensive service in the Indian Wars.

During World War I and World War II, the arsenal was again busy with supplying the war efforts, providing a major source of jobs and income for the region. At times, employment reached 22,000.

During the presidential campaign of 1976, Vice President candidate Walter Mondale stood in front of the Frankford Arsenal and promised that it would remain open. The Carter/Mondale ticket won the election but the promise was not fulfilled, the arsenal closed for US Government use in 1977.

The northernmost part of the site was assumed by the PA Dept. of Fish and Game for use as a boat ramp access and fishing spot on the Delaware River. The southernmost part is currently being used as a light-industrial and office park.