The spot where you stand today used to be a swampy island, but it’s hard to see that now. Welcome to Hog Island, a place that’s been transformed over time. You’re standing on the site that once housed the world’s largest shipyard. It’s unbelievable to think that it produced 122 ships during World War I! Imagine thousands of workers building ships during a time when America needed them most. They called themselves “hoggies” and their sandwiches, maybe the origin of the Philadelphia hoagie?
Hog Island was a bustling center of activity. In 1918, 35,000 workers built ships here. It was more like a small city with its own dining establishments, 70 miles of rail, and a lot of hustle and bustle. The island was connected to Philadelphia by a 4.5-mile rail line. After the war, though, the shipyard was destroyed. The land became the site of the Philadelphia International Airport. Today, Hog Island might be under the airport, but its story lives on. It reminds of us of Philadelphia’s industrial past and the hard work of the people who built this city. You won’t find any remnants of the shipyard here now, but imagine the noise, the energy and the vital importance the island once represented for the US Navy.
Zion Baptist Church
Founded in 1882 Zion Baptist Church stands proudly in Philadelphia. It’s a testament to faith resilience and community. This wasn’t