Philadelphia Naval Asylum
Encyclopedia
The Philadelphia Naval Asylum, later the Naval Home, was a hospital, the Philadelphia Naval School, and a home for retired sailors for the United States Navy
from 1834 to 1976, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
.
Located on over 20 acres (80,937.2 m²), the central building, Biddle Hall, was completed in 1833. Biddle Hall, the Surgeon's residence and the Governor's residence were all designed by architect William Strickland
. They are considered some of the best examples of Greek Revival architecture in the United States
. The site was placed on the National Register of Historic Places
and designated a National Historic Landmark
in 1971.
One of the uses of the Naval Asylum was for the Philadelphia Naval School, an academy for midshipmen that was a precursor of the United States Naval Academy
. Beginning in 1838, midshipmen approaching examinations for promotion were assigned to the school for 8 months of study. William Chauvenet
was placed in charge of the school in 1842 and formalized much of the study. When the Naval Academy was formed in 1845, four of the seven faculty members came from the Philadelphia school.
The name was changed to Naval Home in 1889. In 1976 the Naval Home relocated to Gulfport, Mississippi
, after it was determined that the Philadelphia facility could not be economically expanded and modernized.
The property was sold to residential developer Toll Brothers
in 1988. The main building was the victim of arson
in 2003. It has since been restored and designed as luxury condomiums.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
from 1834 to 1976, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
.
Located on over 20 acres (80,937.2 m²), the central building, Biddle Hall, was completed in 1833. Biddle Hall, the Surgeon's residence and the Governor's residence were all designed by architect William Strickland
William Strickland (architect)
William Strickland , was a noted architect in nineteenth-century Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Nashville, Tennessee.-Life and career:...
. They are considered some of the best examples of Greek Revival architecture in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The site was placed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
and designated a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
in 1971.
One of the uses of the Naval Asylum was for the Philadelphia Naval School, an academy for midshipmen that was a precursor of the United States Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
. Beginning in 1838, midshipmen approaching examinations for promotion were assigned to the school for 8 months of study. William Chauvenet
William Chauvenet
William Chauvenet was an early American educator. A professor of mathematics, astronomy, navigation, and surveying, he was always known and well liked among students and faculty....
was placed in charge of the school in 1842 and formalized much of the study. When the Naval Academy was formed in 1845, four of the seven faculty members came from the Philadelphia school.
The name was changed to Naval Home in 1889. In 1976 the Naval Home relocated to Gulfport, Mississippi
Gulfport, Mississippi
Gulfport is the second largest city in Mississippi after the state capital Jackson. It is the larger of the two principal cities of the Gulfport-Biloxi, Mississippi Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula, Mississippi Combined Statistical Area. As of the...
, after it was determined that the Philadelphia facility could not be economically expanded and modernized.
The property was sold to residential developer Toll Brothers
Toll Brothers
Toll Brothers is a Horsham, Pennsylvania based luxury homes builder.-Company Overview:Toll Brothers is a residential and commercial real estate development company with communities in 50 markets throughout 19 states...
in 1988. The main building was the victim of arson
Arson
Arson is the crime of intentionally or maliciously setting fire to structures or wildland areas. It may be distinguished from other causes such as spontaneous combustion and natural wildfires...
in 2003. It has since been restored and designed as luxury condomiums.