Turtle Rock Light

Turtle Rock Light
Location 15 Key Drive, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Coordinates 39°58′12″N 75°11′23″W / 39.97000°N 75.18972°WCoordinates: 39°58′12″N 75°11′23″W / 39.97000°N 75.18972°W
Year first constructed 1887
Automated 1990
Foundation Natural
Construction Brick
Tower shape Hexagonal
Height 30 feet (9.1 m)
ARLHS number

USA-1088

Boat House #15
Architectural style Colonial Revival, Shingle Style
Governing body Sedgeley Club
Part of Boathouse Row (#87000821[1])
Designated CP February 27, 1987

The Turtle Rock Light 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 Row. The lighthouse has a hexagonal lantern room with an octagonal walkway. Gas was first used to power the light, but in 1990, when the lighthouse was repainted and received a new wooden balustrade and newel posts, the beacon was electrified.

Sedgeley Club

The lighthouse is operated by the Sedgeley Club, a social club located at #15 Boathouse Row in the historic Boathouse Row along the Schuylkill River, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated a National Historic Landmark.[2] In 1897, the club was founded as the Bicycle, Barge and Canoe Club, but quickly changed its name to the Sedgeley Club.[3] The Club initially occupied #14 Boathouse Row, until 1902, when the Fairmount Park Commission permitted the Club to build its own boathouse.[3] The building, designed by Arthur H. Brockie, was adapted to encompass the lighthouse that predates it.[3] Brockie designed a shingle, colonial revival house.[4] After completing this design, Brockie joined the University Barge Club in 1902.[5]

World War II caused the Club to stop operating as an athletic facility.[3] The Sedgeley Club still operates as a social club and shares its space with a chapter of The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America.[6] Some Sedgeley Club members' boats are stored at the Public Canoe House, up river.[6]

References

  1. ↑ "NPS Focus". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. Retrieved June 13, 2011.
  2. ↑ "Listing of National Historic Landmarks by State". National Historic Landmarks Program. National Park Service. April 2011. p. 81. Retrieved June 13, 2011.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Stillner, p. 106
  4. ↑ Charleton, p. 666.
  5. ↑ Charleton, p. 674.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Stillner, p. 107

Sources

Further reading