THE PHILADELPHIA LAZARETTO TODAY
The Philadelphia Lazaretto is the oldest quarantine station in the Western Hemisphere and one of the oldest in the world. Follow the timeline to learn how the Lazaretto has changed over the years and went from medical facility to municipal building.
LAZARETTO TIMELINE
1790s
A series of yellow fever epidemics and other waves of disease in Philadelphia cause politicians to move the nation's capital to Washington, DC. Worry grows that the Fort Mifflin Lazaretto is too close to the city to prevent outbreaks.
1799
The Philadelphia Board of Health begins construction of the new Philadelphia Lazaretto in Tinicum Township. Still on the Delaware River, the new Lazaretto is on the outskirts of an ever-growing Philly.
1801
The Philadelphia Lazaretto officially opens for trade and passenger ships coming into the Port of Philadelphia.
1880
The United States federal government takes over operations of the Lazaretto.
1895
Permanent closure of the Philadelphia Lazaretto.
1898
The Athletic Club of Philadelphia opens "The Orchard," a country space for their activities, on the site.
1915
A new seaplane school is opened by the Mills family on the Lazaretto property. It is used during World War I to train pilots.
2000
The seaplane school closes, leaving the Lazaretto site and building abandoned.
2005
Tinicum Township of Delaware County, PA purchases the Lazaretto property.
2007
After local debates about what to do with the Lazaretto property, commissioners sign an agreement to construct a new building to house the Tinicum Township Fire Company Station 48.
2008
The Township began plans for a large-scale building renovation at the Lazaretto, restoring it to its 1799 glory.
2020
Tinicum Township officially moves their offices into the Lazaretto building.
TODAY & BEYOND
Tinicum Township continues to administer and care for the Lazaretto site. The main building now holds municipal offices. Other outbuildings remain and are in the process of being preserved by both the Township and local historical organizations. A portion of the landscape was used to build a new fire station, but visitors can still walk the grounds.
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The land between the main building and the Delaware River bank is still a green space. Visit the Lazaretto today and experience the same views migrants, merchants, and medical staff saw daily. Click the button below for more!