Mikveh Israel Cemetery
Walking west on Spruce toward Pennsylvania Hospital, you come to one of the city's most hallowed spots — the redbrick-walled Mikveh Israel Cemetery, dating from 1740. It was the first burying ground for Philadelphia's Jewish community, and here in an unmarked grave lies Haym Salomon (c. 1740-1785), the Pole who placed his fortune at the disposal of the Colonies. First by working with the Sons of Liberty (and escaping from jail twice) and then as a broker, Salomon's role in the Revolution cannot be overestimated. When the U.S. Post Office honored him on a 10-cent stamp in 1975 they wrote: "Businessman and broker Haym Salomon was responsible for raising most of the money needed to finance the American Revolution." A stone commemorating Salomon is placed at the cemetery's entrance.
Most beloved of all who lie here is Rebecca Gratz (1781-1869), the benevolent model for the character Rebecca in Sir Walter Scott's "Ivanhoe."
Washington Square and West
- Washington Square
- PSFS and Ayer Buildings
- Lea & Febiger, Publishers
- Athenaeum
- Penn Mutual
- Curtis Publishing
- Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
- Southwest Corner
- Holy Trinity Church (Washington Square)
- "Rip Van Winkle"
- Biddle House
- St. George's Greek Orthodox Church
- Reynolds-Morris House
- Musical Fund Hall
- Mikveh Israel Cemetery
- Bonaparte House
- Walnut Street Theatre
- Clinton Street
- Pennsylvania Hospital
- Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church
