The History of
PHILADELPHIA
ILLUSTRATED BOOKLET
The history of Philidelphia
County, Pennsylvania, which encompasses the greater Philadelphia area, is
recalled through a mixture of colorful tales and factual data in this NEW 132 Page
Booklet, reprinted primarily from three hard-to-find
books: the 1843 edition of Historical Collections of the State of Pennsylvania
by Sherman Day, An Illustrated History of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
by William Egle, M.D., and Pennsylvania, a Guide to the Keystone State,
a WPA project published in 1940. The spiral-bound booklet is printed one-sided
on 60# paper, with the print enlarged for easier reading. A clear vinyl sheet
has been added to protect the front cover.
The Day and Egle histories cover the early development of
this area, while excerpts from the WPA book, give a nostalgic glimpse from
a 1940 vantage point, including interesting historical notes, especially as
they relate to sightseeing possibilities. There is occasionally some duplication
of material, but often with a different slant or with additional details.
Among the many
and diverse subjects in the booklet are: Early days and Early settlers;
population growth; physical features; William Penn’s plan for Philadelphia;
John Key, first English child born in city; Extracts from early writings;
Early shelters: trees and caves; Penn’s Great Treaty with Indians at Kensington;
Letitia House and Slate-roof House, residences of Wm Penn; Appearance, life
and character traits of Wm Penn; Early Swedish settlers at Wicaco (before
Penn); An Early tour of the area; Early churches and ministers; Influence
of Mr. Whitfield on his audience; A humorous account of the “Paxton Boys”
threat in 1764; Stories about Dr. Benjamin Franklin, including the epitaph
he wrote for himself at age 22; The Liberty Bell and Independence Hall; Movement
toward Independence, Struggle to pass the Declaration; and Adams’ prediction
that July 4th will be “commemorated” by “succeeding generations”; The Occupation
of Philadelphia by Sir William Howe – including plays at the Old Theatre with
scenes painted by Major Andre’ and Capt. Delancy, and other entertainments;
“The Battle of the Kegs,” a humorous Revolutionary War incident in story and
poem; The University of Pennsylvania and Girard College; Bios of Robert Morris,
Stephen Girard, Thomas Godfrey, and Jacob Ridgway; Fairmount Water Works;
Germantown; Manayunk; Laurel Hill Cemetery; and other interesting bits of
history and trivia.
ILLUSTRATIONS
include Market Street, Philadelphia (full page);
Penn’s Treaty Tree at Kensington; Treaty Monument; Letitia House; Slate-roof
House (2 views); Old Swedes Church at Southwark (2 views); Christ Church on
Second St.; the Old Courthouse; Old State House, or Independence Hall (2
views); Old London Coffee-house; Franklin’s Grave; Pennsylvania Hospital;
University of Pennsylvania (3 views, 1 full page); Merchants’ Exchange and
Girard Bank; Girard College; the United States Mint; the United States Bank;
United States Naval Asylum; Blockley Almshouse; Wire Suspension Bridge across
the Schuylkill; Fairmount Water Works (full page); Eastern Penitentiary; Moyamensing
Prison; Manayunk; Birthplace of David Rittenhouse; the First Church at Wicaco;
View of the new City Hall (full page); Old Navy Yard; View of the Delaware,
Front of the City of Philadelphia (full page); Girard College; and the Old
Germantown Academy (full page); the International Exposition of 1876; a 1940
tour of the city with Points of Interest shown on a map of the city’s central
section.
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