Prior to the arrival of European settlers, the Cobbs Creek region was home to the Lenni Lenape peoples. Not confined to specific geopolitical boundaries, the tribe all along the creek, known as “karakung,” used the resource dense creek environment for hunting, fishing, agriculture, and transportation. However, upon the arrival of the Dutch, Swedish, and English Quakers, the Lenape were displaced by the drainage of marshes by the Europeans, who wanted to make room for pastures. The nomenclature surrounding the Creek demonstrates the Lenape legacy, with areas such as Kingsessing (meaning “where there is meadow”) maintaining their Lenape titles. Other examples of this include the village of Arronemink (meaning “where the fish cease”) located at the mouth of mill creek, as well as a variety of streets in more urban Philadelphia. To see more about indigenous histories surrounding the creek, as well as further resources about the Lenape check out http://www.phillyh2o.org/backpages/cobbs.htm.
European Settlers Divert Streams to Power Growing Number of Mills
June 10, 1650
Source: Adam Levine and http://www.phillyh2o.org/backpages/cobbs.htm
Read moreQuaker William Warner was the first European to settle in West Philadelphia (1677)
December 16, 1677
5 years before William Penn founded Philadelphia He came to a land already inhabited by the Lenape, specifically the Unami band
Read morePenn Treaty
October 1, 1682
Treaty of Friendship created Along the Delaware River at Shackamaxon – a sacred gathering place for Lenapes chiefs of the Lenape (represented by their spokesman Chief Tamanend) met with William Penn “living as one flesh and one blood . . . as long as the creeks and rivers run and the sun, moon and stars endure.” – reportedly stated by William Penn and Chief Tamanend…
Read moreWalking Purchase
January 1, 1737
After Willaim Penn returned to England his sons began to sell land owned by the Lenape The Penns presented an old and invalid document that deeded as much land to the Penns as could be covered in a day-and-a-half length’s walk. The Lenape trusted and had a good relationship with William so they agreed. The Penns had the path cleared and hired the three fastest runners in the province to run the distance. Only one finished and ran 55 miles. The Penns additionally tilted the map when drawing lines to the Delaware to make the distance farther. The Penns ended up acquiring 1200 square miles…
Read moreThe Old Powder Mills in the Upper Cobbs Creek ran until the 1840s
December 31, 1840
This is William Rodgers house, built opposite the Upper Cobbs Creek dam. He ran the Nitre Hall Powder Mills for the mills’ last years in the powder mill business from 1825-1840. The Nitre Hall Powder Mills prospered with an output of 800,000 pounds of gun powder produced during the war of 1812. More information can be found here: http://www.phillyh2o.org/backpages/cobbs_eckfeldtbook.htm.
Read moreCemetery Companies Purchase Large Tracts of the Cobbs Creek Watershed
June 10, 1850
A number of cemetery companies begin purchasing large tracts of the watershed in the mid-19th century. Mt. Moriah, Fernwood, Holy Cross, and Arlington cemeteries were established. Find more details here.
Read moreWest End Mill Built in What is Currently the Center of Cobbs Creek Park
June 10, 1866
The West End Mill was built at S. 64th and South St. (now Cedar Ave.), which is now the middle of Cobbs Creek Park. The mill primarily produced cotton fabrics and some woolens. More information can be found here.
Read moreMill Creek Sewer Completed in West Philadelphia
June 10, 1895
The completion of MIll Creek sewer marked the start of unimpeded development toward Cobbs Creek. Click here for more information.
Read moreMarket-Frankford Elevated Railroad Constructed
June 10, 1906
The construction of the Market-Frankford Railroad allowed suburban residents quick access to the city. http://www.phillyh2o.org/backpages/cobbs.htm
Read moreCobbs Creek Park Built
June 10, 1911
Learn more about the history of Cobbs Creek Park and trail here.
Read moreThe United States Geological Survey (USGS) Establishes Streamflow-Gauging Stations at Six Locations in the Darby-Cobbs Creek Watershed
June 10, 1965
https://water.phila.gov/pool/files/Darby_Cobbs_WMP.pdf
Read morePhiladelphia Police Drop Bomb on MOVE Compound
May 13, 1985
A Philadelphia police helicopter dropped a bomb onto the MOVE compound, where Black militant anarcho-primitivist community members lived together in a townhouse. The resulting fire destroyed 65 houses, killing six MOVE members and five of their children. Learn more here.
Read morePlans Undertaken to Develop 3.7 Mile Cobbs Creek Trail
June 10, 2011
The trail provides access to Cobbs Cree Environmental Education Center, Laura Sims Skate House, Mount Moriah Cemetery, and several children’s playgrounds. There are also future plans to link the John Heinz Wildlife Refuge through the Cobbs Creek Connector Trail. For more information and map access, click here.
Read moreDevelopment of Cobbs Creek Restoration and Community Foundation
October 9, 2020
The Cobbs Creek Restoration and Community Foundation non-profit developed, prompting a $20 million renovation of the historic Cobbs Creek Golf Course. The site will be closed until 2023.
Read more