The Naval Yard

The Philadelphia Navy Yard was the country’s first naval shipyard. The origins of The Navy Yard date back to the founding of the country in 1776, when the Continental Congress leased land along Philadelphia’s Front Street docks to support the new nation’s fledgling Navy. The site became an official part of the United States Navy in 1801, but was moved to its current location around the time of the Civil War.

Over the ensuing years, The Navy Yard became a vital part of the Navy’s logistical and industrial infrastructure. Many of the Navy’s most significant technological advances and historic ships were produced right here in Philadelphia.

Because of shifting requirements, the Navy officially closed the Yard in 1995, but significant military facilities remain, including The Navy Ship Systems Engineering Station. In the years since, The Navy Yard has grown to be a significant mixed-use office, research and industrial park, including being home to one of the world’s most advanced commercial shipbuilding facilities (the Aker Philadelphia Shipyard), and the corporate headquarters for diverse companies like retailer Urban Outfitters and the Tasty Baking Company.