Looking Back at the Former Proposal to Make the Statue of William Penn Atop City Hall Revolve

The 37-foot-tall statue of William Penn atop the City Hall clock tower brings the structure to a full height of 548 feet. As YIMBY discussed in yesterday’s story, the intended south-facing direction of the statue, crafted by sculptor Alexander Milne Calder, was changed at the last minute, and for nearly 127 years the figure has faced northeast. In this feature, Philadelphia YIMBY looks back at the onetime proposal to have the statue revolve around its axis so it could gaze upon the entire city.

Statue Of William Penn on top of City Hall January 1895. Image via Buffalo Express

The William Penn statue was completed in 1886 and placed on top of the unfinished structure on Thanksgiving Day in 1894. Ever since the morning it was topped, observers noticed immediately that the figure did not face south toward the daytime light. During the controversy, Calder publicly spoke on not being fond of the position and that he wanted the statue rotated back to its originally intended position.

Revolving statue of William Penn. Photo and animation by Thomas Koloski (Click to play)

Five months after the topping-out, a proposal was put forth to make the statue revolve around its axis. Proposed by engineer Chester J. Wilson, the figure would rotate on a 24-hour cycle, much like the four clocks below the curved steeple. The original position of the statue to face the south would have the statue lit up in sunlight all day. However, with this proposal, William Penn would slowly turn everyday as clockworks and cogwheels. A lighting system was also contemplated to light up the statue, but in the end Alexander Milne Calder estimated that removing the statue would cost $50,000 just to move its position again.

Subscribe to YIMBY’s daily e-mail

Follow YIMBYgram for real-time photo updates
Like YIMBY on Facebook
Follow YIMBY’s Twitter for the latest in YIMBYnews