New Philadelphia, Ilinois: America's Town

This weekend we celebrate the birth of the greatest nation on earth. In spite of record gas prices, rampant foreclosures, and the increase in the unemployment rate--the United States has the greatest culture and society that world has ever known. One of the reasons is the American way of confronting tough times and creating new avenues towards success. One of the best examples is Free Frank McWorter and the town of New Philadelphia, Illinois.

Free Frank McWorter, the founder of New Philadelphia, was born a slave in South Carolina, later he was moved to Kentucky where his master allowed him to work outside the slave industry in saltpeter mines. In this extra employment McWorter saved over $800 which he used to purchase the freedom of his wife and later himself. In 1831 he left the slave state of Kentucky to move to Illinois where he purchased 80 acres and platted the land into 144 lots which he sold to White, Black, and Native Americans. The site ultimately became known as New Philadelphia, the first incorporated African-American town in the United States.

New Philadelphia, the new city of brotherly love, became one of the most important communities in Illinois for over 50 years. The town's decline came in 1869 when the Hannibal & Naples Railroad bypassed New Philadelphia, pushing development to the village of Barry three miles to the west. However, the importance of the community rest with Free Frank McWorter.

Free Frank was a visionary. Despite the issues of slavery, race prejudice, and slave raiders; Free Frank forged an American dream. That is, a place that illustrated the potential growth and success of a pluralist society. In New Philadelphia--intermarriage was accepted; entrepreneurship was encouraged; and the American creed of hard work, protection of family, love of God and nation was expected.

Free Frank--a great American knew that scores of bigots did not like his work and town. But, he viewed these critics and beast as members of the unmoral minority. Thus, as we celebrate and reflect on our nation's birthday--let's have a historical check on the success of our past and on the work of Free Frank McWorter, the founder of America's Town. For additional information check out my work on New Philadelphia as the Director of the Archaeological Dig at the University of Illinois at Springfield; and Dr. Juliet Walker's book, "Free Frank."