Turtle Rock Light

Turtle Rock Light is a hexagonal brick structure with a white balcony and red exterior that rises above the eastern bank of the Schuylkill River. The tower features an octagonal walkway around the light chamber, showing Colonial Revival architectural elements.

The light was built in 1887 by engineer Frank Thurwanger to guide steamboats navigating the Schuylkill River near Fairmount Hill. A renovation in the 1990s installed an electrical beacon to preserve its navigation function.

The light has been operated by the Sedgeley Club, a sports organization that evolved into a social group hosting events. Visitors can sense its role as a gathering place for the local community.

The tower sits along Kelly Drive next to Boathouse Row and is easy to reach from there. The location lies along an active waterfront where visitors can best view and photograph the structure from outside.

The structure was designed as a private navigation aid for river traffic and remained largely overlooked for years. Its modest scale and careful craftsmanship make it an easy-to-miss detail in the local industrial architecture.

Location: Philadelphia

Inception: 1887

Architectural style: Colonial Revival architecture

Made from material: brick

Operator: Sedgeley Club

Part of: Boathouse Row

GPS coordinates: 39.96998,-75.18985

Latest update: December 13, 2025 12:22