William Penn Annex East in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Old City Hall / Independence Hall / Congress Hall

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 19, 2022

1. Old City Hall / Independence Hall / Congress Hall Marker

Inscription. Old City Hall
Used by the U.S. Supreme Court

Independence Hall
Built as the Pennsylvania State House

Congress Hall
Built as the County Court House
1737 ❦ Construction begins on the State House, Capitol of Pennsylvania until 1799.
1736 ❦ State House office wings are built. In 1739 arcades are added, and the Library Company, founded by Benjamin Franklin, occupies the West Wing.
1753 ❦ Tower and steeple are added to State House. State House bell (later called the "Liberty Ball") is installed in tower.
1776 ❦ Second Continental Congress declares American-Independence in the State House.
1777-78 ❦ British army occupies Philadelphia and uses the State House as an army barracks and hospital for American prisoners of war.
1781 ❦ State House steeple, rotted and dangerous, is removed; replaced by present steeple in 1828.

1787 ❦ The Federal Convention, representing 12 states, meets in the State House to draft the U.S. Constitution.
1789 ❦ County Court House (far right) is built, later known as Congress Hall.
1790 ❦ Congress Hall serves as the Capitol

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of the United States until 1800.
1791 ❦ City Hall (far left) is built. Used biannually by the U.S. Supreme Court to 1800.
1793 ❦ Congress Hall is enlarged as new states send representatives to Congress.1793 ❦ Washington is inaugurated as President in Congress Hall; John Adams becomes second president at his inauguration here in 1797.
1799 ❦ State capital moved to Lancaster, PA; in 1800 U.S. capital moved to Washington, DC.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Government & Politics • Science & Medicine • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #01 George Washington, the Former U.S. Presidents: #02 John Adams, and the Historic Bells series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1737.

Location. 39° 56.951′ N, 75° 8.982′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in William Penn Annex East. Marker is on Chestnut Street (County Road 3008) just west of South Independence Mall East (County Road 2003), on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 500 Chestnut St, Philadelphia PA 19106, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. History Where You Least Expect It (a few steps from this marker); John F. Kennedy

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 19, 2022

2. Old City Hall / Independence Hall / Congress Hall Marker

(within shouting distance of this marker); Abraham Lincoln (within shouting distance of this marker); In This Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Independence Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Old City Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Old City Hall / Independence Hall / Congress Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Preserving America's Treasures (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 21, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 90 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 21, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.