Philadelphia+County

Philadelphia County

By: Brennan Malenovitch

Philadelphia, Chester and Bucks counties were the three original counties created by William Penn in 1682 after receiving a charter for Pennsylvania from the King of England Charles II. Philadelphia is also known as the "city of brotherly love". Philadelphia was established as the capital of the Province of Pennsylvania and also, the county seat. Mr. Penn wanted the Philadelphia area to be a place of religious tolerance and freedom. When the border was established, the area of Philadelphia county was made up from the Delaware River west between the Schuylkill River to the south and the border with Bucks County to the north. The western boundary was not established at that time. Later, the county was separated and Berks and Montgomery counties were established. Prior to 1854 the County of Philadelphia was made up of seven Boroughs, eight Districts and Thirteen Townships. In 1854 the city and county government of Philadelphia were combined to establish a more bureaucratic structure of governing. In 1951, a “Home Rule Charter” fully merged the city and county offices forming a “strong mayor” form of government rather than the county government structure. Today, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, the Philadelphia county is comprised of an area of 142.6 square miles. Bodies of water in the county include the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers, the Cobbs, Wissahickon and Pennypack Creeks. It is also the only “First Class County”, which means as of last census the county population was above 1.5 million. Philadelphia County is surrounded by three counties in Pennsylvania which are Montgomery County (north), Bucks County (northeast), and Delaware County (west); and three in New Jersey which are Burlington County(east), Camdem County (southeast), and Gloucester County(south). The highest point in Philadelphia County is Chestnut Hill at 432 feet above sea level. The total area of Philadelphia is about 5% water and about 95% land. In the 2004 presidential election 80% voted for John Kerry and 19% voted for George Bush.In 1793 Yellow Fever hit Philadelphia which at the time was the capital at the time. Penn called his colony the "Holy Experiment". There were many Famous actors from Philadelphia county such as Bill Cosby, Will Smith. There is also many famous Athletes from Philadelphia such as Kobe Bryant, Wilt Chamberlain, and Marvin Harrison. 8% of the people in Philadelphia county are German and 14% are Irish that can report. There are over 10 colleges in Philadelphia County.

Famous landmarks in Philadelphia County are Independenc Hall, The Benjamin Franklin Institute, The Franklin Bridge, St.George's Methodist Church, The Liberty Bell, The Rocky Statue, Citizens Bank Park (Philles), Wachovia Center (Flyers,and Philadelphia Soul), and Lincoln Financial Field (eagles). Timeline: 1638- The first Europeans were the Swedes and the Finns settled in Philadelphia. 1655- The Netherlands took the area away from the Swedes and the Finns. 1674- Then England took it away from the Netherlands permanently. 1682- William Penn created the County in November. 1710- Board of Commissiners were appointed for the county. 1725- People were properaly elected for the Board of County Comissiners. 1793- Yellow Fever struck the city of Philadelphia and the capital was moved. 1854- The Board of County Comissiners was abolished. 1951- The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter was added to the city government. Sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PhiladelphiaCounty