There are a few dates that come to mind when one thinks of Philly. The first is (obviously) July 4, 1776, when the Founding Fathers adopted the Declaration of Independence. Another date is Feb. 15, better known as 215 Day, referencing our most recognizable area code. But there’s one more date that's just as important.
In 1681, English Quaker William Penn was given newly acquired land by King Charles II as a debt repayment to Penn’s late father. On Oct. 27, 1682, Penn landed in New Castle, Delaware. This was the same year he founded Philadelphia, Bucks, and Chester counties, wanting to create a sanctuary for fellow Quakers and other Europeans persecuted for their religious beliefs in their home countries.
Upon his arrival, Penn met Chief Tamanend, establishing relations between the Quakers and the Lenape. Penn would enter into purchase agreements with the Lenape, gaining ownership of the land. But peace would crumble upon his death and the Lenape would later lose more of their land through the Walking Purchase of 1737.
Philadelphia was much smaller back then compared to how it is today, as seen in surveyor general Thomas Holme’s original plan for the city. The city was a simple grid pattern bordered by the Delaware River to the east, the Schuylkill River to the west, what is now Vine Street to the north, and what is now South Street to the south. Our well-known corridors Broad Street and Market Street (formerly known as High Street) were also included in this original grid.
For Philadelphia, Penn envisioned a “greene country towne.” The city’s design allowed room for residential gardens and five public squares known today as Franklin, Logan, Rittenhouse, Washington, and Penn. Although their development into proper parks took years, these spaces were selling points to potential settlers. The grid pattern and greenery set a precedent for what urban planning in Philadelphia and around the world could look like.
While most Philadelphians stayed within the bounds of William Penn’s original plan, the city would eventually grow beyond these boundaries. Philadelphia would incorporate its surrounding suburbs through the Consolidation Act of 1854, with the city’s edges beginning to take on the distinct shapes we recognize today. Townships such as Passyunk, Roxborough, and Northern Liberties are recognizable by the neighborhood names we know today.
Since its founding, Philadelphia has been at the center of democracy and innovation. The city’s contributions to the country include the first hospital, university, public lending library, abolitionist society, and so many more.
