Scherer, Frank C., Wagon Works
Why it's listed
Built in 1887 on North 27th Street in Brewerytown, Philadelphia, this red brick wagon factory was designed by the architect William H. Decker, who had built his practice largely on commissions from the city's German brewers. Frank C. Scherer produced heavy, high-grade wagons here until 1905, supplying brewers, butchers, bottlers, bakers and grocers. The three-story factory has sandstone trim, a dated sandstone stone on its south facade and a signboard reading "Frank C. Scherer & Sons" on the west side. The surrounding industrial district grew around the breweries of the 1880s. The building is significant for its scale, its architect-designed plan and its integrity, which the nomination describes as greater than nearly all surviving Philadelphia wagon works. Scherer's exhibition record and membership in a commercial exchange show he ranked above the typical small city shop. Later owners added truck-body production, and the plant became a warehouse in 1923.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the factory is the largest and most architecturally intact surviving wagon works in Philadelphia and a rare survivor of an important local industry. It states that Frank C. Scherer was a cut above the average city wagonmaker, based on his exhibiting at the Carriage and Wagon Builders' Association exhibitions and his membership in the Bourse. It also notes the building was designed by an architect with ties to the city's German brewers.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 85003160, listed December 26, 1985. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 801 N. Twenty-seventh St., Philadelphia |
|---|---|
| County | Philadelphia |
| Listed | December 26, 1985 |
| Reference number | 85003160 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architect / builder | William H. Decker (architect) |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Industry, Commerce, Transportation |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The document describes the building as altered and in fair condition, with upper-story windows infilled or covered with tin sheathing; it notes the factory became a warehouse in 1923. |
| Acreage | 0.6 |
| Within district | Fairmount Park |
| Coordinates | 39.97053, -75.18112 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 85003160.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5485631
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.