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Rittenhouse Town

Philadelphia County · dedicated 1991 · Lincoln Dr. at Rittenhouse St. just off Wissahickon Ave., Fairmount Park, Philadelphia

William Rittenhouse, first Mennonite minister in America, erected here in 1690 the colonies' first paper mill. Successive generations of Rittenhouses built additional mills, establishing this region as the center of American papermaking. By the 1850s this village had over 40 buildings, and seven early buildings survive from this once prosperous industrial community. Scientist David Rittenhouse was born here in 1732.

Digital Commonwealth, Boston Public Library

Marker data: Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission via data.pa.gov

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