1. John Hepp Wilkes University Eastern Communications Association 2015
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
Richard Newcourt’s plan for rebuilding the city, 1666
Robert Hooke’s plan for rebuilding the city, 1666 (this edition circa 1670)

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”
Birch print, circa 1800
London, 1776

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)
1926
1925
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
Historic Philadelphia
Trip Advisor

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

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