Name/Title
The WissahickonEntry/Object ID
2013.34.1.8Description
The Edwin C. Jellett Series of Scrapbooks, Volume 1- The Wissahickon
Page 8 contains a newspaper article pasted onto a white lined piece of paper. At the top of the paper is the handwritten notation: wissahickon creek. This newspaper article may or may not be a continuation of the article on page 7 of this Scrapbook (catalog number 2013.34.1.7).
The article on this page can be summarized as follows: The author acknowledgs that few have a true appreciation/opportunity to know the Wissahickon other than superficially. He describes the section of Fairmount Park it occupies as long, narrow, rugged and extending away from the city proper. The word "Wissahickon" is likely derived from the Delaware Indians who used two terms for the creek. The first term was Wisamekan (cat-fish); the second term was Wissaicksickan (yellow colored stream). Appparently both terms were in general use. On early maps, it was marked as Whitpain creek, but in court records dating back to the first settlement, it was named Wessahitiking. The term Wissahickon is derived from all of these sources . The article speaks of early inhabitants of the Valley (Indians) and how the appearance of the "white man" spelled the end for the Indians of a peaceful existence. The Lenni-Lenapes were the last to leave the area and with them much of the history and traditions also left. Following the Indian departure, the early settlers took charge of the Valley and brought change and "improvements". However, much natural beauty and resources remain to be admired and enjoyed.Collection
GHS Scrapbook Collection