Schuylkill River - History and Names

History and Names

The Delaware Indians were the original settlers of the area around this river, which they called Ganshohawanee, meaning "rushing and roaring waters," or "Manaiunk". The river was later given the Dutch name Schuylkill by its European discoverer, Arendt Corssen of the Dutch West India Company. One explanation given for this name is that it translates to "hidden river" and refers to the river's confluence with the Delaware River at League Island, which was nearly hidden by dense vegetation. Another explanation is that the name properly translates to "hideout creek".

Thomas Paine tried in vain to interest the citizens in funding an iron bridge over this river, before abandoning "pontifical works" on account of the French Revolution.

Patriot papermaker Frederick Bicking owned a fishery on the river prior to the Revolution.

The restoration of the river was funded by money left for that purpose in Benjamin Franklin's will.

The river is also known to have been on fire more than once throughout history.