Free Frank McWorter
IndiapioneerMale9.0Global Dominance: 0.00%Free Frank McWorter was a formerly enslaved African American who, in 1835, purchased 80 acres of land in Illinois and founded New Philadelphia, the first town legally registered by an African American in the United States. His vision for the town was to create an integrated community where people of all races could own property and operate businesses. McWorter's contributions extended beyond urban development; he used the profits from land sales to buy the freedom of 16 family members from slavery. His town also played a role in the Underground Railroad, assisting escaped slaves on their journey to freedom. Nearly two centuries later, his legacy is preserved with the recent transfer of nearly 20 acres of New Philadelphia to the National Park Service.
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Free Frank McWorter was a formerly enslaved man who founded the first legally registered town in the United States platted by an African American.
In 1835, Free Frank McWorter, a formerly enslaved man, paid $100 for 80 Illinois acres; a year later he founded New Philadelphia, and 191 years later nearly 20 acres entered NPS ownershipIndia· 2026-09-14
