The New Philadelphia Town Site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005, designated a National Historic Landmark in 2009, and established as a National Park in 2022. Founded by Frank McWorter, an early free black settler in Pike County, it was the first town founded by a black man in the United States. McWorter had invested in land there sight unseen after purchasing the first few members of his family out of slavery. In 1836 he founded the town of New Philadelphia, near Barry. He was elected mayor and lived there the rest of his life. With the sale of land, he made enough money to purchase the freedom of his children. After the railroad bypassed the town, its growth slowed and it was eventually abandoned in the 20th century. The town site is now an archaeological site.
The New Philadelphia Town Site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005 designated a National Historic Landmark in 2009 and established as a National Park in 2022 Founded by Frank McWorter an early free black settler in Pike County it was the first town founded by a black man in the United States McWorter had invested in land there sight unseen after purchasing the first few members of his family out of slavery In 1836 he founded the town of New Philadelphia near Barry He was elected mayor and lived there the rest of his life With the sale of land he made enough money to purchase the freedom of his children After the railroad bypassed the town its growth slowed and it was eventually abandoned in the 20th century The town site is now an archaeological site