Editing Old City (section)

== History ==

=== Colonial Era ===

Old City was the heart of the original city of Philadelphia, laid out by William Penn in '''1682'''. Penn's plan created a grid of streets between the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers, with the area now known as Old City serving as the commercial and political center.

The neighborhood developed rapidly as a port city. Warehouses, markets, and businesses lined the streets near the Delaware River wharves. Philadelphia became one of colonial America's largest and most prosperous cities, and by the mid-18th century, it was the most populous city in the British colonies.

=== Revolutionary Era ===

Old City was the birthplace of American independence. The most significant events in the founding of the United States took place within a few blocks:

* '''Continental Congresses:''' The First and Second Continental Congresses met at Carpenters' Hall and the State House (now [[Independence Hall]])
* '''Declaration of Independence:''' Signed at Independence Hall on July 4, 1776
* '''U.S. Constitution:''' Drafted and signed at Independence Hall in 1787
* '''First U.S. Government:''' Philadelphia served as the national capital from 1790-1800

During this period, Old City was home to [[Benjamin Franklin]], the nation's first bank, first mint, and first stock exchange.

=== 19th and 20th Centuries ===

As Philadelphia expanded westward, the commercial center shifted away from Old City. The neighborhood became an industrial and warehouse district, with many historic buildings repurposed for manufacturing and storage.

By the mid-20th century, Old City was largely forgotten—its colonial buildings obscured by later construction and industrial use. The creation of '''Independence National Historical Park''' in 1948 began the process of preservation and restoration that continues today.

=== Modern Renaissance ===

Old City's renaissance began in the 1970s when artists and galleries moved into the neighborhood's vacant warehouses and lofts. The '''First Friday''' tradition, where galleries stay open late on the first Friday of each month, drew visitors and established Old City as Philadelphia's arts district.

Today, Old City combines historic tourism with a thriving arts and dining scene. Many former industrial buildings have been converted to apartments, condos, restaurants, and boutiques, while careful preservation protects the colonial-era streetscape.