The planning and construction of the Ben Franklin Parkway. Also, the history of the major roads that connect Philly to the rest of the region: How have their routes changed over time and why? Do other regions have so many pikes, or is this peculiar to us? What’s with the signs for the different Delaware River bridges scattered all over the area, particularly the Ben Franklin Bridge’s goose-logo signs?

And more about the Lenape (past and present), Peter Rambo, Governor Printz, and anyone else here before William Penn.

What makes Philadelphia unique or distinctive:
1. Good places to go.
2. Prices look out for economy.
How Philadelphia is connected to other places:
1. The products Philadelphia produces go around the world for sales.
Other topics:
More hints on beginners learning to write a passing essay for college.

– From the suggestion box at the Walnut Street West branch library

What makes Philadelphia unique or distinctive:
Neighborhoods.
How Philadelphia is connected to other places:
Revolutionary war – democracy. Manufacturing.
Other topics:
Political corruption
Sports teams
Famous people – Ben Franklin
Spectrum – concerts

– From the suggestion box at the Walnut Street West branch library

What makes Philadelphia unique or distinctive:
The genesis of a nation.
How Philadelphia is connected to other places:
To Paris through architecture.
Other topics:
Social ills of the 70’s and 80’s such as police brutality & crack epidemic.

– From the suggestion box at the Walnut Street West branch library

What makes Philadelphia unique or distinctive:
Camp Happy, a children’s camp in Torresdale to promote good health, 1920s-1950s (described in “Remembering Northeast Philadelphia,” by Harry Silcox).
How Philadelphia is connected to other places:
The experience of the Great Depression.

– From the suggestion box at the Tacony branch library

What makes Philadelphia unique or distinctive:
Friendship and help.
How Philadelphia is connected to other places:
History and military.
Other topics:
Medicine

– From the suggestion box at the Tacony branch library

What makes Philadelphia unique or distinctive:
The parks.
How is Philadelphia connected to other places:
It’s a city.
Other topics:
Athletes

– From the suggestion box at the Tacony branch library

What makes Philadelphia unique or distinctive:
Philadelphia is like a small town, a community. Everyone gets along and everything is much closer.
How Philadelphia is connected to other places:
Philadelphia is sort of like a rural area. That’s how close everything and everyone is.
Other topics:
Athletes

– From the suggestion box at the Tacony branch library

What makes Philadelphia unique or distinctive:
As Philadelphians we usually refer to our area as Philly.
How Philadelphia is connected to other places:
Philadelphia has a stronger connection to Washington D.C. because it used to be capital of the U.S.
Other topics:
How Philly has changed into a fast-paced city that still remembers others who are less fortunate.

– From the suggestion box at the Tacony branch library

What makes Philadelphia unique or distinctive:
Its urban culture.
How Philadelphia is connected to other places:
Unfortunately – negative – we’re known as Killadelphia.
Other topics:
Emphasis on its history in more detail.

– From the suggestion box at the Tacony branch library