The Birth of Philadelphia
Prior to William Penn's coming, the Dutch pioneers settled around the area in 1630. They raised tobacco and grain. The Swedes soon followed in 1631. In 1664, King Charles granted patent to his brother, James, the Duke of York and Albany, lands that the Dutch owned and this became New York. The Duke of York also owned land, which was called the Jerseys. In 1675, part of this land was sold to the Society of Friends, to whom William Penn became a trustee. On January 5th, 1681, Willaim Penn received 40,000 square miles of land under the Great Seal. He encouraged people to emigrate and he himself came over in 1682 and located the city of Phildelphia.
The 1700's were a busy time. On Ocotber 24, 1701 Philadelphia's Charter was granted to William Penn. Many churches of different denominations were built. The First American-made printing press was set-up in 1718, which lead to the first newspaper in Philadelphia, The American Weekly Mercury which started on December 22, 1719. On July 1, 1731 the Philadelphia Library was founded. The first fire insurance company in America, The Philadelphia Contributionship was started in 1744. On May 28, 1755 the cornerstone of Pennsylvania Hospital was laid. On September 5, 1773 the Provincial Congress met at Carpenter's Hall. In 1775, the Continental Congress elects Benjamin Franklin as the first Postmaster General of the United Colonies and the Pony Express was established. On July 4, 1776 the Declaration of Independence was adopted. On July 8, 1776 the Declaration of Independence was read to the people. On September 26, 1777 the British entered Philadelphia and in the same year the Battles of Germantown (10/15) and Red Bank (10/22) took place. On June 18, 1778 the British evacuated Philadelphia. On January 14, 1784 the Definitive treaty of peace with England was ratified by Congress. In 1789, the first election of the President of the United States took place. The United States Mint was established on April 2, 1792. The Philadelphia and Lancaster Turnpike opened in April 1795. On May 2, 1799 work on the Schuylkill Water Works started.
The 1800's were a flurry of activity and are too numerous to mention, however the following are some of them: United States Navy Yard established in 1801. In 1816, Gas as an illuminant was introduced. The first School District of Pennsylvania was established in 1818. On March 31, 1824 legislation was passed to construct a railroad from Philadelphia to Columbia in Lnacaster County; the name of the railroad was "The President, Directors and Company of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company." On February 8, 1836 the Philadelphia Gas Works went into operation. On July 24, 1844 the foundation of Fairmount Park. The opening of the Academy of Music took place on February 26, 1857. On April 22, 1865, President's Lincoln's body was escorted to Independence Hall by a large miltary and civic precession. n 1872, water was pumped for the first time into the new reservior of the Delaware Water Works. In 1874, the Zoological Gardens at Fairmount Park officially opened to the public. The Centennial Exhibition opened on May 10, 1876 and closed on November 10, 1876-the total admissions were 9,910,966 persons. On October 4, 1878, The Continental Telegraph Company opened its line between Philadelphia and New York. On May 7, 1887, the last block of marble required for the construction of the new city hall was placed on the tower.
These are just some of the happenings in the history of Philadelphia that made the city was it is today.