Wissahickon Valley Park in Philadelphia centers on the Wissahickon Creek gorge, designated a National Natural Landmark in 1964, where distinctive schist bedrock, steep wooded hillsides, sculptures, historic structures, and Philadelphia's only remaining covered bridge reflect the region's natural and historical character. The 1,800-acre park includes more than 50 miles of biking, hiking, and equestrian trails recognized as a National Recreational Trail, and its attractions include Blue Stone Bridge, built in 1896 to replace the Old Red Bridge; Historic Rittenhousetown, established in 1690 by William Rittenhouse as the site of North America's first paper mill and the birthplace of David Rittenhouse; Ten Box, built in 1940 by the Works Progress Administration as a shelter for Fairmount Park Guards; Henry Avenue Bridge, designed in 1927 by Paul Philippe Cret with Frank M. Masters and dedicated to northwest Philadelphia residents who served in World War I; the Hermits of the Wissahickon, a group of German Pietists led by Johannes Kelpius seeking religious freedom and associated with Hermit's Cave, along with the Hermitage built in 1848 by Evan Prowattain; and Wissahickon Hall, erected in 1849 as an inn and later used by the Fairmount Park Guard and the 92nd District Police Station for more than 100 years. The park remains a major urban refuge where more than 1.1 million annual visitors explore forests, meadows, creeks, inns, mills, trout waters, and bird habitats tied to the heritage of the Wissahickon Valley and the Philadelphia region.
