1903 Philadelphia Street Map
By all published accounts, the condition of the Bethel Burying Ground in 1889 was a rubbish-strewn, “hard clay” lot that was used as a trash dump and a place for neighborhood children to play. There were no headstones or other artifacts to indicate that a burial ground existed there, although newspaper accounts indicate it was common knowledge. The lot remained untouched for the next ten years. Even though the Select Council of the City in July of 1896 directed a portion of “the Weccacoe Park to be opened” and awarded a contracted for certain “buildings” to be demolished on the property, it wasn’t until June of 1899 that the city legislature approved the appropriation of $10,000 for the improvement of the property and to repave Queen Street between Fourth and Fifth Streets. A contractor was hired to ready “Weccacoe Square” for “promenaders.” It was reported that the property is the site of “an abandoned burial ground for colored people.” (Philadelphia Inquirer, August 20, 1890)
Bethel Burying Ground Project 