Welcome to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a city steeped in history, where the very foundations of the United States were laid. Often affectionately known as Philly, this vibrant metropolis in Pennsylvania stands as the most populous city in the state and a cornerstone of American heritage. From its pivotal role in the American Revolution to its enduring influence in business, culture, and sports, Philadelphia remains a dynamic center that honors its past while embracing the future. As the nation’s sixth-most populous city with over 1.6 million residents, Philadelphia forms the heart of the extensive Delaware Valley Metropolitan area, one of the largest metropolitan regions globally.
Beyond its significant historical contributions, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, boasts a rich tapestry of diverse communities, a thriving culinary scene, and iconic landmarks that draw visitors from around the globe. This article delves into the fascinating origins and development of this remarkable city, from its first inhabitants to its crucial role in shaping the American experiment.
The First Inhabitants: Lenape and Other Indigenous Peoples
Before European colonization, the fertile lands of the Philadelphia area were home to the Lenape Indians, particularly the Unami (or “Turtle”) tribe. The Lenape, also known as the Delaware Indians, were part of the Algonquian linguistic stock and inhabited the Delaware River watershed. Their legends speak of an eastward migration from beyond the Mississippi River, establishing a rich cultural presence.
Mainly a sedentary and agricultural people, the Unami cultivated maize and supplemented their diet with fish and game. Their distinct appearance included large heads and faces with sharply hooked noses. Men typically wore breech clouts, leggings, and moccasins, often with a skin mantle, and styled their hair with a scalp lock adorned with ornaments. Women dressed in leather shirts or bodices and skirts, with their hair plaited over their shoulders. Early dwellings were birch bark lodges, later influenced by more sturdy log huts, potentially a design shared with Iroquoian peoples.
While the Lenape were the primary inhabitants, other tribes like the Susquehannock and Shawnee also played roles in the region’s early history. The Shawnee moved northward before William Penn’s arrival, while the Susquehannock, known as “Black Minquas” to the Swedes, engaged in fierce conflicts with the Iroquois Confederacy, eventually being driven from their Pennsylvania strongholds. European expansion, exacerbated by intertribal conflicts and devastating diseases like smallpox, led to the gradual displacement of the Lenape and other indigenous peoples, with many eventually relocated to Indian Territory in present-day Oklahoma under the Indian Removal Policy.
Early European Exploration and Colonial Rivalries
The Delaware Valley first saw European presence in the early 17th century with Dutch colonists establishing Fort Nassau in 1623 in what is now Brooklawn, New Jersey. The Dutch considered the entire Delaware River Valley part of their vast New Netherland colony. English explorers also made early inroads, with Thomas Young and Robert Evelyn journeying as far north as present-day Philadelphia in 1634, though their attempt to establish a fort was short-lived.
A significant turn occurred in 1638 when Swedish settlers, led by renegade Dutch, founded the colony of New Sweden at Fort Christina (present-day Wilmington, Delaware), rapidly expanding their presence in the valley. This led to a period of intense rivalry. In 1641, Puritans from New Haven, Connecticut, attempted to settle at the mouth of the Schuylkill River but were expelled by the Dutch. The Dutch, eager to reassert their dominance, built Fort Beversreede in 1648, prompting the Swedes to respond with New Korsholm.
The power struggle culminated in 1655 when a Dutch military campaign led by Director-General Peter Stuyvesant conquered New Sweden, ending its claim to independence. However, the Swedish and Finnish settlers maintained considerable autonomy under Dutch rule. English ambitions eventually triumphed; an English fleet captured the New Netherland colony in 1664. The Treaty of Breda in 1667 formally transferred control of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and New York to England, marking a decisive shift in colonial power.
Following years of administrative changes and continued exploration, the site of Philadelphia was still largely an unbroken wilderness by 1678. An English ship, the Shield, sailing up the Delaware River, passed the Indian place called Coaquannock, its crew remarking on the “fine place for a town” amidst the broad, flat forests.
William Penn’s Holy Experiment: The Founding of Philadelphia
The true genesis of Philadelphia began in 1681 when King Charles II of England granted William Penn a charter for what would become the Pennsylvania colony, in partial repayment of a debt. Penn, a devout Quaker, envisioned a “holy experiment”—a colony founded on principles of tolerance, justice, and religious freedom, radically different from other colonies of the time. Crucially, despite the royal charter, Penn purchased the land from the local Lenape, establishing good relations and ensuring peace for his nascent colony. He forged a famous treaty of friendship with Lenape Chief Tammany at Shackamaxon.
Founded in 1682, Philadelphia was designed by Penn as an ideal city that would not corrupt his holy experiment. His Quaker beliefs, which emphasized peace, equality, and religious liberty, attracted diverse settlers seeking refuge from persecution. This unparalleled tolerance fostered rapid growth, quickly establishing Philadelphia as America’s most important city.
Penn laid out a comprehensive governmental structure. The “Frame of Government,” completed in 1682, established a governor, a provincial council, and an assembly, ensuring a system of checks and balances. The council, comprising 72 freemen, had the sole right to originate bills, while the assembly provided broad representation. Furthermore, Penn’s Code of Laws, passed in England in May 1682, proclaimed 40 fundamental statements. These provisions mandated voluntary elections, specified tax purposes, ensured trials by a jury of 12 peers, and established prisons that also served as workhouses. It also required public officers and legislators to profess belief in Jesus Christ, reflecting the prevailing religious context while still promoting religious freedom across denominations.
To encourage settlement, Penn offered generous land parcels: 5,000 acres for £100 with additional land for indentured servants, and 500-acre tracts for families to be paid in installments. The Free Society of Traders, a land and commercial company chartered in London, was also instrumental in developing the Province.
Penn’s Arrival and Philadelphia’s Ascendance
After meticulous planning, William Penn boarded the ship Welcome at Deal on September 1, 1682, with 100 passengers. The voyage across the North Atlantic was arduous, battling gales and tragically witnessing the loss of 30 lives to smallpox. On October 27, Penn finally landed in New Castle, Delaware, where he was formally greeted by his cousin, Captain William Markham, and a gathering of Dutch, Welsh, and English settlers. His impressive appearance and solemn taking of possession marked a new era. Penn then proceeded to Upland (now Chester), the largest settlement in the Delaware Valley, to begin his direct governance.
Upon his arrival, Penn immediately focused on the careful planning of his city. Captain Thomas Holme, Penn’s surveyor general, had already begun laying out Philadelphia on the elevated ground between the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers. The grid-like street plan, with broad avenues and public squares, was revolutionary for its time, designed to foster community and prevent overcrowding. Penn’s vision transformed Coaquannock into a bustling port and a haven for Quakers and other religious minorities, quickly becoming a center of commerce and thought in the colonies.
The Cradle of American Liberty
Throughout the 18th century, Philadelphia flourished, growing into the largest city in British North America and an intellectual powerhouse. It became a crucial hub for the Great Awakening, a period of religious revival, and attracted brilliant minds like Benjamin Franklin, whose contributions in science, politics, and civic improvement profoundly shaped the city and the nation. The city’s spirit of tolerance and innovation made it a natural gathering place for those seeking independence.
It was in Philadelphia that the seeds of American independence were sown and nurtured. The city hosted the First and Second Continental Congresses, momentous assemblies that debated grievances and charted a course toward self-governance. In 1776, the hallowed halls of what is now Independence Hall witnessed the signing of the Declaration of Independence, a revolutionary document that proclaimed the birth of a new nation. Later, in 1787, the U.S. Constitution was drafted here, establishing the framework for the longest-lasting written constitution in the world. From 1790 to 1800, Philadelphia served as the capital of the United States, further cementing its role as the “Cradle of American Liberty.”
Conclusion: Philadelphia’s Enduring Legacy
Today, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, continues to embody its foundational spirit. It stands as a vibrant mosaic of historical landmarks, world-class museums, cutting-edge research institutions, and diverse neighborhoods. From the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall to its thriving arts scene, renowned universities, and championship sports teams, Philadelphia offers a unique blend of historical reverence and modern dynamism. The city’s enduring commitment to its moniker, the “City of Brotherly Love,” resonates through its communities and its embrace of progress. Philadelphia’s journey from a Lenape village to the bustling metropolis and historical treasure it is today is a testament to its profound and lasting impact on the American narrative, a place where history lives and continues to inspire.
