A Walking Tour of Philadelphia-Old City, Pennsylvania
William Penn envisaged a beautiful waterfront for his city — something similar to the embankment in London, but this was not to be. The area early became a scene of great commercial activity, and wharves, warehouses, and taverns sprang up, as they have for centuries, in waterfront cities throughout the world. The district is thus one of the oldest and most historic in the city, for it was from the banks of the Delaware that Philadelphia grew westward toward the Schuylkill River.
Construction was started on Independence Hall in 1732, only fifty years after the founding of the city by William Penn. At the time, the area between 5th and 6th Streets, where the most ambitious building ever planned in the American colonies was being built, was still on the edge of things. Forty years later, when events leading to a declaration of independence by a gathering of rebels made this the birthplace of America the city had grown as far as 8th Street. The port was thriving but the streets were still unpaved.
There were dwellings in Old City — Elfreth’s Alley and Loxley Court attest to that — but they were modest homes in contrast to the larger ones to be seen in Society Hill. By the 1960s Old City had long ago ceased to be the city’s pulsing financial center. Manufacturers had departed as well. Cheaper rents now again attracted artisans and craftspeople. The spacious 19th century buildings offered a perfect locale for contemporary art galleries and stores offering the fine crafts of this new population — particularly furniture. Today, Old City is home to more than 30 galleries interwoven in the historic district.
This walking tour will start at Philadelphia’s number one tourist attraction - at the south end of Independence Mall where the Liberty Bell stands opposite Independence Hall...
Get this tour without an e-Reader - GET THIS TOUR FROM SMASHWORDS
Own a Kindle? Get this tour for your reader for only $.99 - BUY THIS KINDLE BOOK NOW
Own a Nook? Get this tour for your reader for only $.99 - BUY THIS BARNES & NOBLE BOOK NOW
Get this tour for your iPad - IBOOKSTORE
Want this tour in printed form? - BUY Look Up, Pennsylvania! Walking Tours of 50 Towns In The Keystone State
From time to time we get books back that have been damaged in shipping. We are offering some for sale for just $5 each - more than 70% off retail. These books are brand new; usually with a slightly dented corner - they look like a book would look after your first tour. Buy this tour USED in LOOK UP, PENNSYLVANIA!
Follow The Tour Back Home