Did you know that in 1800, not L.A., not New York, but Philadelphia was our largest city, a distinction it held until 1830.

The top five were Philadelphia, New York, Baltimore, Boston, and Charleston, S.C.

But we defy anyone to name the sixth largest American town in 1800. It was Northern Liberties, now part of Philadelphia.

And seventh was Southwark, now also part of the present Philadelphia. Read here about the early days of the City of Brotherly Love.

The City of Philadelphia

• Philadelphia History
  An enthusiastic history of Philadelphia, 1680-1900
• Philadelphia Timeline, 1646-1899
  Climb into your "Wayback Machine" and join us on a ride back through time in the City of Brotherly Love.
• Philadelphia Firsts 1681-1899
  A nice listing of the many and varied firsts in Philadelphia's proud history.
• The Streets
  • Market Street
  • Dock Street
  • Ridge
  • Vine Street
  • Callowhill Street
  • Bethlehem Pike
  • Old Conestoga Road
  • Late and Former Names of Streets of the Old Districts of Northern Liberties, Kensington, Port Richmond and Spring Garden
• Petty's Island
• Market Sheds and Houses
• Early Railroad Transportation
• Old-Time Drinking Places in Philadelphia
• Incorporated District, Boroughs, and Townships in the County of Philadelphia, 1854

  Jump directly to any of these sections on that page:

  • ARAMINGO
  • BELMONT
  • BLOCKLEY
  • BRIDESBURG
  • BRISTOL
  • BYBERRY
  • DELAWARE
  • DUBLIN
  • FRANKFORD
  • GERMAN TOWNSHIP
  • GERMANTOWN
  • KENSINGTON
  • KINGSESSING
  • MANAYUNK
  • MORELAND
  • MOYAMENSING
  • NORTHERN LIBERTIES TOWNSHIP
  • NORTHERN LIBERTIES DISTRICT
  • OXFORD
  • PASSYUNK
  • PENN DISTRICT
  • PENN TOWNSHIP
  • PORT RICHMOND
  • SOUTHWARK
  • SPRING GARDEN
  • TACONY
  • WEST PHILADELPHIA
  • WHITE HALL
• Philadelphia Postcards
  A collection of historic postcards of Philadelphia.