Philadelphia History: Revolution and Beyond

During the American Revolution, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania was used as the location for the First Continental Congress before the war, thanks to its ideal central location in the colonies. It also served as the location for the Second Continental Congress, which signed the United States Declaration of Independence, during the war, and the Constitutional Convention after the war. There were a significant number of battles fought in Philadelphia and its surrounding areas as well. Lobbyists fought but failed to make Philadelphia the United States capital after the war, but the city did manage to become the temporary U.S. capital during the 1790s.

In 1799, the state government left Philadelphia, and the federal government left soon after the turn of the century. At this time, Philadelphia was still the largest city in the United States and a flourishing financial and cultural center. While New York City soon surpassed Philadelphia in population, Philadelphia’s construction of roads, canals, and railroads helped turn the city into the nation’s first major industrial city. Throughout the 19th century, the city housed a large variety of industries and businesses, the most substantial being textiles. Major corporations in Philadelphia during the 19th and early 20th centuries included the Baldwin Locomotive Works, William Cramp and Sons Ship and Engine Building Company, and the world renowned Pennsylvania Railroad.

Many immigrants – mostly German and Irish – settled in Philadelphia and the surrounding districts. These early residents occupied houses, apartment buildings, and other buildings that would later become Philadelphia condominiums.

Philadelphia’s major rise in population of the surrounding districts helped lead to the Act of Consolidation in 1854, which extended the city to include all of Philadelphia County. By the later half of the century, other immigrants would arrive to the city as well. These immigrants included those from Russia, Eastern Europe and Italy, and African Americans from the Southern United States.

By the time of the Great Depression, the City of Philadelphia surely had its struggles. However, the end of World War II would create thousands of jobs and bring the city out of the Depression. By 1950, the city population peaked, with more than two million residents living in Philadelphia Condos for any Budget and other Philadelphia dwellings. The city population soon began to decline while the suburban neighboring counties grew.

Starting in the 1960s, revitalization and gentrification of Philadelphia neighborhoods began and continued to grow well into the 21st century. Much of the development includes Philly condominiums in the Center City and University City areas of the city. Many of the old manufacturers and businesses from historic Philadelphia have since closed or left the city, and the city began to attract service-related businesses. It subsequently began to aggressively market itself as a prominent tourist destination.

New Philadelphia condominiums, and several glass and granite skyscrapers were built in Center City, and historic areas such as Independence National Historical Park were subsequently improved. Today, the City of Philadelphia flourishes as a major commercial, educational and cultural hub. People will surely continue to flock to the city, either as visitors or new residents looking to move into Philadelphia condominiums or homes. Philadelphia enjoys a quite diverse population, from college students to working professionals to families.

For more valuable information about the City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, including Philadelphia condominiums and other homes, please contact PCS Kurfiss Sotheby’s today. We will provide you with everything you need to know on Philadelphia condominiums, as well as offering pertinent information related to living in this vibrant and amazing city.