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The Dutch West India Company forces in New Amsterdam (New York), headed by Peter Stuyvesant, built a fort here in 1651. The fort replaced Fort Nassau (near modern Camden) on the Jersey side of the river. The Dutch wished to counteract the Swedes 6 miles northat Fort Christina (modern Wilmington) and regain some lost trade in beaver pelts. Fort Casimir was located here in order to have a view up and down the river and control travel by the Swedes.
A 1681 deed shows that the fort was near the intersection of Chestnut and 2nd Street. A windmill was a few lots away on 2nd street. Later this area became known as "Bull Hill" after the Bull family who lived nearby. The hill was removed to to fill in this parking lot, thereby covering any remnants of the Dutch era. Local stories claim that the fill contained human remains from some long forgotten burial area.
The Dutch laid out a street south of the fort along the waterfront (The Strand/Water Street/Front Street) which still exists today. It is perhaps the only thing visible of the Dutch period. Other remains are underground, like the few artifacts from the 1600's which were uncovered in an archaeological dig in this parking lot.
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The United States is one of the most diverse countries on earth, jam packed full of amazing sights from St. Patrick's cathedral in New York to Mount Hollywood California.The Northeast region is where it all started. Thirteen British colonies fought the American Revolution from here and won their independence in the first successful colonial rebellion in history. Take a look at these rolling hills carpeted with foliage along the Hudson river here, north of New York City.The American south is known for its polite people and slow pace of life. Probably they move slowly because it's so hot. Southerners tend not to trust people from "up north" because they talk too fast. Here's a cemetery in Georgia where you can find graves of soldiers from the Civil War.The West Coast is sort of like another country that exists to make the east coast jealous. California is full of nothing but grizzly old miners digging for gold, a few gangster rappers, and then actors. That is to say, the West Coast functions as the imagination of the US, like a weird little brother who teases everybody then gets famous for making freaky art.The central part of the country is flat farmland all the way over to the Rocky Mountains. Up in the northwest corner you can find creative people in places like Portland and Seattle, along with awesome snowboarding and good beer. Text by Steve Smith.
