After 1800
With the turn of the century, Philadelphia ceased to be a capital city. In 1800, the Federal Government moved to Washington. During the previous year, the State Government had moved first to Lancaster and later to Harrisburg. Congress Hall and the Supreme Court building reverted to the uses for which they were originally intended—a county courthouse and a city hall. The State House became an empty building, used apparently only at elections.
INDEPENDENCE NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK
POINTS OF HISTORICAL INTEREST WITHIN PARK AREA 1. INDEPENDENCE HALL GROUP OF BUILDINGS 2. PHILOSOPHICAL HALL 3. LIBRARY HALL (SITE OF) 4. SECOND BANK OF THE UNITED STATES 5. DILWORTH-TODD-MOYLAN HOUSE 6. BISHOP WHITE HOUSE 7. CITY TAVERN (SITE OF) 8. PHILADELPHIA (MERCHANTS’) EXCHANGE 9. FIRST BANK OF THE UNITED STATES 10. CARPENTERS’ HALL 11. FRANKLIN COURT (SITE OF FRANKLIN’S HOUSE) 12. & 13. CHRIST CHURCH AND CEMETERY 14. GLORIA DEI (OLD SWEDES’) CHURCH 15. DESHLER-MORRIS HOUSE (5442 GERMANTOWN AVE. NOT SHOWN) OTHER POINTS OF HISTORICAL INTEREST 16. ST. MARY’S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH 17. ATWATER KENT MUSEUM 18. HOLY TRINITY ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH 19. OLD PINE STREET PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 20. ST. PETER’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH 21. POWEL HOUSE 22. ST. PAUL’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH (CITY MISSION) 23. ST. JOSEPH’S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH 24. BETSY ROSS HOUSE 25. FRIENDS MEETING HOUSE 26. FREE QUAKER MEETING HOUSE 27. ST. GEORGE’S METHODIST CHURCH {diagonally hatched} STATE AREA {shaded} FEDERAL AREA
DELAWARE RIVER BRIDGE RACE ST. CHERRY ST. ELFRETHS ALLEY ARCH ST. MARKET ST. ORIANNA ST. CHESTNUT ST. LIBRARY ST. WALNUT ST. DOCK ST. CHRISTIAN ST. SWANSON LOCUST ST. SPRUCE ST. SIXTH ST. INDEPENDENCE HALL FIFTH ST. FOURTH ST. THIRD ST. SECOND ST. FRONT ST. DELAWARE AVE. FRONT ST. WATER ST. DELAWARE AVE.
The Governor, on March 13, 1815, approved an act authorizing the County Commissioners of Philadelphia to take charge of the State House and to rent out the space as they considered advisable. All profits obtained were to be used to make repairs and improvements on the building.
Having released the State from responsibility for its State House, the Legislature next sought to realize from this property a sum of money to be used in building the new capitol at Harrisburg. In an act, approved March 11, 1816, the Legislature provided for the sale of the square and its buildings. This act required the Governor to appoint three commissioners (none from Philadelphia) to lay out a street, or streets, through the square “in such manner as in their opinion will most conduce to the value of the property.” The square was to be divided into lots suitable for building; the total amount to be realized was not to be less than $150,000.
One section of the act, however, saved the State House. This provided that the City of Philadelphia should have the privilege of purchasing the building and square for the sum of $70,000. The City Councils promptly passed an ordinance to purchase the property and took title on March 23, 1818. This was a financial and spiritual investment unequaled in the history of American cities.
Although the City of Philadelphia had saved the State House and its sister buildings from possible destruction, it was evident that many local officials did not consider the ensemble worthy of complete preservation. As early as 7 years prior to purchasing this property from the State, municipal authorities presented the Legislature with petitions requesting that the Commissioners of the City and County of Philadelphia be permitted “to pull down the east and west wings of the state-house ... and to erect in their place, suitable buildings for the deposit of the records of said City and county....” On March 24, 1812, this authority was granted by the State Government. The old wings and the committee room were demolished, to be replaced by “modern” office buildings designed by the architect, Robert Mills. These new offices consisted of two row buildings attached to the east and west ends of the State House. Often called “State House row,” they were occupied by various officials of the city, county, and federal governments.