1. Circles and Squares:
The Physical Legacy of
William Penn’s Philadelphia
John Hepp
Wilkes University
Eastern Communications Association 2015

2. Three centuries of William Penn’s
“Green Country Town”
• The founding myth
• London as the basis for Penn’s “Green
Country Town”
• Philadelphia’s grid
• Three centuries of evolving usage

3. London models for the grid
Robert Hooke’s plan for
rebuilding the city, 1666
(this edition circa 1670)
Richard Newcourt’s plan for
rebuilding the city, 1666

4. Philadelphia’s grid
Holme’s plan for Philadelphia, 1683
Historical Society of Pennsylvania

5. The evolution of the grid
• Phase one: What did the squares mean in 17th
and 18th centuries?
• Phase two: During the 19th century, most of
the squares become public parks
• Phase three: In the 20th century, two of the
five squares become circles
• Phase four: Squaring the circles
• Penn’s grid over time: A similar map but
different uses and meanings

6. What did the squares mean in 17th and
18th centuries?
• Commonly used land
• “for the like Uses, as the Moore-fields in
London”
London, 1776
Birch print, circa 1800

7. During the 19th century, most of the
squares become public parks
• Center Square (between 1799 and 1828 there
was a pumping station)
• The squares were landscaped like those in
London
Birch’s Views, 1800

8. In the 20th century, two of the five
squares become circles
• The city accommodates the automobile
– The Parkway (Logan)
– Traffic flow around City Hall (Centre)
– The Delaware River Bridge (Franklin)
1925 1926
Plan Philly

9. Squaring the circles
• The Four Seasons Hotel adopts Logan Square
• Franklin Square becomes an amusement park
• Philadelphia becomes more pedestrian
friendly in the 21st century
Trip Advisor
Historic Philadelphia

10. Penn’s grid over time
• A similar map but different uses and meanings

11. Circles and Squares:
The Physical Legacy of
William Penn’s Philadelphia
John Hepp
Wilkes University
Eastern Communications Association 2015