Benjamin Franklin Parkway Live Cam

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Benjamin Franklin Parkway History

The Benjamin Franklin Parkway is a major thoroughfare in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was designed in the early 20th century to serve as the city's cultural and ceremonial center, and was modeled after the Champs-Élysées in Paris. The Parkway runs from City Hall to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and is home to many of the city's most important institutions and landmarks.

The idea for the Parkway dates back to 1903, when city leaders began to discuss the need for a grand avenue that would connect City Hall to Fairmount Park, the city's largest park. The parkway was intended to be a grand civic space that would showcase Philadelphia's cultural and artistic heritage, and provide a focal point for public events and celebrations.

The Parkway was designed by French architect Paul Cret and his collaborator, landscape architect Jacques Gréber. Construction began in 1917 and was completed in the 1920s. The Parkway was named in honor of Benjamin Franklin, one of Philadelphia's most famous citizens and one of the founding fathers of the United States.