Near Barry in Pike County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

New Philadelphia Townsite

Photographed By Emily Pursley, March 24, 2019

1. New Philadelphia Townsite Marker

Inscription. New Philadelphia
Townsite
has been designated a
National Historic Landmark
Founded in 1836 by Frank McWorter, New Philadelphia is the first known town planned and legally registered by an African American in the United States. McWorter used his earnings to purchase 16 of his family members out of slavery. The site of this frontier community of European Americans and African Americans is a nationally significant archaeological site advancing our understanding of free, rural communities and the abolitionist cause in the Antebellum Era.

2009
National Park Service
United States of the Interior

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Anthropology & Archaeology • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the National Historic Landmarks series list. A significant historical date for this entry is September 16, 1836.

Location. 39° 41.88′ N, 90° 57.686′ W. Marker is near Barry, Illinois, in Pike County. Marker is at the intersection of 2000N and Broad Street (Illinois Highway 106), on the right when traveling east on 2000N. When on Highway 106, turn east on the Baylis blacktop. There is a small brown New Philadelphia sign above the green

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Baylis sign. When in Barry, travel east out of town on Pratt Street. This turns into Township Rd 2000N and will take you straight to the site. When on I-72, take Exit 20 and enter Barry then follow the directions as aforementioned. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Barry IL 62312, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Site of New Philadelphia (here, next to this marker); First Baptist Church (approx. 4.1 miles away); M60 Tank (approx. 4.2 miles away); Civil War Monument (approx. 4.2 miles away); Little Red Brick (approx. 6.1 miles away); Robert Earl Hughes (approx. 8½ miles away); William Grimshaw House (approx. 9.9 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 10.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Barry.

More about this marker. This sign is under the kiosk/pavilion. There are several more signs there for you read about the history of New Philadelphia. There are also guideposts along where the town streets used to be where you can use the New Philadelphia AR app (available free in the appstore) to see what daily life would have looked like in the town. Internet is available. For more information on the site or app, you can stop by the Barry Public Library and Museum.

Regarding New Philadelphia Townsite. The buildings at the site today are not original

New Philadelphia Townsite Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Emily Pursley, March 24, 2019

2. New Philadelphia Townsite Marker - wide view

to the site but are similar to what was likely there. The cemetery is on private property so do not try to go find it. The house on the southeast end of the site is also private. Please stay near where the guideposts are to avoid trespassing.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 5, 2019. It was originally submitted on June 3, 2019, by Emily Pursley of Pittsfield, Illinois. This page has been viewed 514 times since then and 13 times this year. Last updated on June 4, 2019, by Emily Pursley of Pittsfield, Illinois. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 3, 2019, by Emily Pursley of Pittsfield, Illinois. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.