History
Originally a portion of the Northern Liberties Township, the district first gained limited autonomy from the township by an Act of Assembly on March 9, 1771. The Act provided for the appointment of persons to regulate streets, direction of buildings, etc. By March 30, 1791 a second Act enabled the inhabitants of that portion of the Northern Liberties between Vine Street and Pegg’s Run (Cohoquinoque Creek) and the middle of Fourth Street and the Delaware River to elect three commissioners to lay taxes for the purpose of lighting, watching and establishing pumps within those bounds.
On March 28, 1803, the Legislature passed an act to incorporate that part of the township of the Northern Liberties lying between the west side of Sixth Street and the Delaware River and between Vine Street and Cohocksink Creek, thus creating the District of Northern Liberties. Under the Consolidation law the district ceased to exist in 1854, and become a part of Philadelphia.
At the time of its inclusion into the City of Philadelphia, Northern Liberties Township
was the 11th largest urban place in the United States with a population of 47,223.
This annexation allowed Philadelphia to pass Baltimore as the nation's second largest
city.
It holds the status as a famous red-light district in the United States.
Prior to annexation, the township was created as a less densely populated alternative to
nearby Philadelphia. Because of this, it was later known colloquially as "Philadelphia's
first suburb." However the Southwark neighborhood claims this distinction as well.
In 1985, the Northern Liberties Historic District was created, containing 209 Italianate
architecture, Greek revival, and Federal style buildings. The historic district is
bounded by Brown, Boone and Galloway, Green and Wallace, and Fifth and Sixth Sts. -
EXIT
PHILADELPHIA NEIGHBORHOODS
Click on a neighborhood to learn more