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Pennsylvania Governor Rendell Dedicates State Historical Marker for Edmund Bacon, Late Philadelphia City Planner

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 13 /PRNewswire/ — Governor Edward G. Rendell today unveiled a state historical marker for Edmund N. Bacon, Philadelphia's city planning director for more than 20 years.

"The City of Philadelphia was greatly affected by the brilliant and tenacious Ed Bacon. His enthusiasm for his work and great love of his native city were an inspiration to me and so many others," said Governor Rendell. "I hope that people who see this marker will remember his contributions to the design of the city."

Bacon's efforts led to the revitalization of Center City Philadelphia and were instrumental in developing Penn Center, Society Hill, Independence Mall and LOVE Park.

Bacon appeared on the cover of Time Magazine in 1964 and was considered a noted architect, urban planner and educator. He is well-remembered when, at the age of 92, he put on a helmet, stepped on a skateboard and — with a little help — took a turn around LOVE Park in protest of the ban on skateboarding there.

"Ed Bacon was able to turn his vision into projects that made life better for people," said Wayne S. Spilove, chairman of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, which administers the historical marker program. The Ed Bacon Foundation co-sponsored the marker dedication.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The text of the marker is:

EDMUND N. BACON
(1910-2005)

Internationally known urban planner, his design concepts shaped Philadelphia's city landscape. As city planning director, 1949 to 1970, his legacy includes Penn Center, Market East, Society Hill, the Far Northeast, Yorktown and LOVE Park here.

Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission 2006®