Details
Creator Taylor, Frank H. (Frank Hamilton), 1846-1927
Title The Blue Anchor Tavern and Dock Creek
Date ca. 1922
Description View of the Blue Anchor Tavern and the adjacent creek, as well as a wooden bridge, and small boats.
Notes The basis of this drawing is the familiar wood-cut in Watson's Annals, made probably from a description. Minor details are, of course, due to artistic license. The "Blue Anchor," Philadelphia's first public house, was built, wholly or in part in 1862 [sic, i.e., 1682], the site being at the Dock Creek, on the west side of Front street. Beyond it upon the higher ground were scattered some eighty houses. When William Penn arrived Landlord Guests' house was still in the carpenter's hands. It was here, arriving at the public dock, which gave the creek its name, he came ashore with his associates, very likely the first travelers to "register" at a Philadelphia hotel. Guest and his successors as managers of the "Blue Anchor" were all Quakers. They were Reese Price, Peter Howard and Benjamin Humphries. At one period the tavern was named the "Boatswain and Call." The drawbridge superseded a ferry. Seagoing vessels entered the creek to obtain fresh water from excellent springs upon the shores. When the old stream was closed about 1875 an arched causeway was built at Front street.
Taylor Catalog Number: 119
Is part of Frank H. Taylor Collection
Identifier Taylor - Case 9-10 [2717.F]