Philadelphia: Planning a City

[@PandoraKyss]

I can't deny that I find it hugely ironic that, if William Penn were to somehow come back and visit his city, he'd be horrified to see the rowhouses all tight together. His vision was of a 'green country town' with huge yards and green spaces around each house, all of which would have an unrealistic view of the river. He also hoped that settlers would buy property on both the Delaware and the Schuylkill Rivers, meeting in the middle where Broad Street is now. Instead, everyone hugged the Delaware. I also think it'd be hilarious to see William Penn's reaction to his own likeness in thirty-seven foot bronze perched high atop City Hall, dressed not in Quaker simplicity but English finery.

[@theraginginfernape9496]

To be fair, Philly has one of the highest rates of parks per capita.

[@bigcat2520]

William Penn took in my ancestor Sarah Moore Michener. She was married to John Michener in the Sussex home in England. His family was in attendance but he was not for the wedding. We have this traced back 1604. Parents of Sarah Moore both died in 1674 leaving her an orphan at age 10.

[@exexextrovert9685]

@@bigcat2520 ok?

[@MrButch-ls8vl]

One minor correction: there were already European settlers in present-day Philly before William Penn. It was part of the colony of Nya Sverige, or New Sweden, and two generations of Swedes and Finns were already living there.

[@liltoaster7308]

Absolutely correct. Idk why that is always over looked in Philadelphia's history, there were populated and successful colonies here since 1643. Before Penn was even born.

[@PandoraKyss]

There is a separate documentary episode from this channel. A Lost World, it's called, that talks about the Lenape, the Swedes, and the Dutch. This particular webisode discusses the formal planning of the city, which wasn't formulated until William Penn commissioned Thomas Holmes to plan his new city.

[@davidwaynechoate8059]

I live right near that Swedish Cabin from 1600's. There were a lot more til' they got mysteriously Burnt Down one by one. Something is very wrong with the "official History".

[@artfact2]

Not to mention the Germantown section where the early papermills flourished.:)

[@MrButch-ls8vl]

@@davidwaynechoate8059 I live not far from there too, on Baltimore Ave.

[@davyjones7177]

Crazy to see how much the skyline has changed since this video.

[@adultcartoonsandcereal15]

My Favorite Cities were designed by a Grid System, Row Streets, Philadelphia, New York City, Washington DC, Boston, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Seattle, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Los Angeles

[@solar3013]

Great video! But I have a question. Did you create your channel for this very video?

[@shana5300]

I strongly believe that Philadelphia is a lost city that will one day make a huge comeback. There’s just so much history there.

[@connerobrien6878]

Lost city? You must not be from the area. Arguably the most prideful city in the country

[@lesjones7019]

No way.

[@gilvogt4440]

I'd like to see Penn walk Kensington Ave. in 2022.....his reaction would be similar to the American Indian in the canoe...for those of us old enough to remember....

[@jakob-philipwilson7338]

As a German and Eagles Fan.... ist so ... Wow beautiul

[@davidwaynechoate8059]

Something is very not right when you look at the Art Museum , City Hall , and the Franklin Institute supposedly built all in a few decades. It would be easier to build a "Great Pyramid".

[@jwick1215]

That's right cause those buildings were already there by time someone stumbled upon them.

[@lauriemoser4208]

The squares and layout also are aligned by Masonic and Astrology

[@arnhay]

George and Alice Maris 1863 My ancestors

[@sumitaryan7329]

I think you better learn world history grid pattern are more oldest the European cities and culture

[@wayneblake4596]

FILL HOW IN?

[@jarr5648]

U mean to tell me these people in horse and carriages built those capital buildings, and the 1876 worlds fair buildings?? 🤔🤔🤔 It’s funny how all the architecture of these buildings in the downtown areas of every major city in the USA all look like European style and Roman style all made of marble stone, sand stone, and limestone and hardly no wood at all. These things were already here before it was even settled by these people mentioned here…

[@auapplemac1976]

Lots of open fires back then for cooking, heating, etc. Wood burns. Look what happened to London - Great Fire, 1666.

[@019self9]

Is it failed?

[@mariocisneros911]

Orderly like many of our American cities , but why isnt New York City. It's a mess ,because it wasn't planned and developed right

[@bbrenddon]

Names entire colony after himself, thinks naming a street after themselves is egoism. Well there you go he was a narcissist

[@auapplemac1976]

Well, the land was his. OTOH, the streets were not owned by individuals, but were part of the city so Penn had the right to standardize the naming. Can you imagine every city block with a different name as people planted their own signs?

[@michaelengler8103]

Except Penn named his city Sylvania the king added Penn's last name to it not Penn

[@sumitaryan7329]

# Fack history's

[@illzwillzwatuz963]

4:00 is key