Head House Square

Head House Square is a historic market complex in Society Hill featuring a Georgian style firehouse building connected to a covered marketplace supported by brick pillars and a gabled roof. Twenty-two restored historic properties surround the square, with original cobblestone streets and green space creating an open courtyard environment.

The square was established in 1804 with financial backing from merchant Joseph Wetherill and houses the oldest surviving firehouse building in the United States. The original market structure evolved from rows of brick supports that created enclosed stalls beneath an arched ceiling.

The square hosts a farmers market on Sundays, where locals and visitors gather around vendor stalls in a tradition rooted in the colonial era. This weekly gathering shapes the neighborhood's rhythm and keeps the historic market function alive in modern times.

The square is accessible year-round and best enjoyed on foot, especially on Sunday mornings when the market is active. The cobblestone streets can become slippery in wet weather, so wear appropriate footwear.

The original market structure known as the Shambles was divided into sixteen individual vendor stalls created by two parallel rows of brick pillars. This design allowed many merchants to operate side by side in an organized manner typical of colonial-era marketplaces.

Location: Pennsylvania

Architects: John Haviland

GPS coordinates: 39.94222,-75.14611

Latest update: December 10, 2025 16:26