The Cliffs

The Cliffs is a historic residence within Fairmount Park in Philadelphia featuring Georgian-style design with rubble stone walls and a traditional floor plan of two rooms per level connected by a central staircase. The structure was built to provide comfortable living spaces that reflected the architectural preferences of wealthy inhabitants during the 18th century.

The residence was built in 1753 by Joshua Fisher as a summer retreat for wealthy Philadelphians escaping the city's summer heat and disease outbreaks. A major fire in 1986 damaged the interior severely, leaving only the exterior walls standing today.

Sarah Franklin Bache, daughter of Benjamin Franklin, occupied The Cliffs during the Revolutionary War and organized support efforts for Continental Army soldiers.

The structure can be viewed within Fairmount Park, where visitors can see the exterior stone walls that survived the 1986 fire. Plan your visit during regular park hours and note that interior access may be limited due to the extent of fire damage to the building.

The property has a connection to Joseph Wharton, founder of Bethlehem Steel and namesake of the renowned Wharton School of Business, through his grandmother Deborah Fisher Wharton who once lived there. This family link connects the modest historic house to one of America's major industrial and educational legacies.

Location: Pennsylvania

GPS coordinates: 39.97941,-75.19409

Latest update: December 11, 2025 11:00