Philadelphia


The city of brotherly love
where the old meets the new.
John Street


Home of the Republication Convention


Philadelphia was founded by William Penn. The city was original planned to have an area of two square miles, and run from Vine street to South street, and between the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers.Penn's concept for the city was one of the first attempts of urban planning anywhere. Population of the city in 1682 was 400 residing in 100 dwellings. the first city charter was granted by Penn in 1701 and continued until the end of the Proprietary system, which came with the opening of the revolution. The population of Philadelphia continued to increase, and by the time of the signing of the Declaration of Independence was about 35,000 residents. Philadelphia was the seat of the Continental Congress during the revolution, except for the period of British Occupation. It was the National Capital from 1790 until 1800 and the Pennsylvania State Capital until November 1799. In 1854 the city was made coextensive with the county. All the independent forms of government, within the county, were consolidated this included 9 districts, 13 townships and 6 boroughs. The population at this time was about 460,000. Penn wrote a prayer for his beloved city that is on display in Philadelphia's city hall court yard.


next page


[image]
bentivegna@earthlink.net
Last Revised Jan 14, 2000
class of 63 South Phila. High School