How Did Pennsylvania Become Known as the Keystone State?

Geographic Position and Symbolism

During the colonial and revolutionary times, Pennsylvania and Philadelphia were at what might be described as the midpoint between the 13 Atlantic colonies stretching from Maine to Georgia. This geographically strategic position played a pivotal role in shaping Pennsylvania's nickname, the Keystone State. The city of Philadelphia, with a population of 44,000 in 1790, was also the largest town in all of the colonies, and it was here where the Constitutional Convention took place. This historical significance further solidified the state's identity. The term "Keystone" has its roots in the design of stone arch bridges. In these structures, the keystone, which is placed at the top center, holds the arch together, while the other stones support it from the sides. This unique placement was mirrored in the state's motto and symbols, emphasizing stability and centrality.

The keystone design motif is a prominent symbol in Pennsylvania. You can find it on highway route markers, official state documents, and in advertising. This visual representation reinforces the state's nickname and historical significance.

Historical Context and Naming

The nickname "Keystone State" has a rich historical context and manifests its meaning in two critically important periods: the colonial era and the territorial expansion of the United States after the Revolutionary War. The term "Keystone State" was coined when Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois were not yet states, but rather territories, underscoring Pennsylvania's central role in the development of the thirteen original colonies. During the colonial period, the capital of the colonies and the United States was Philadelphia. This was due to its significant size and strategic location, equidistant from the New England and Southern colonies. During that era, travel was limited to what one could accomplish by horseback, making central Pennsylvania an ideal midway point.

Colonial Expansion and Settlements

In 1776, the land west of the crest of the Appalachian Mountains was still largely a wild wilderness, sparsely populated. The first white settlement in Ohio was at Schoenbrunn Village near present-day New Philadelphia. Despite establishing a Moravian settlement, it was abandoned in 1772 due to conflicts with Native American tribes. The first permanent white settlement in Ohio only took place in 1787 at Marietta on the Ohio River, well after the nickname "Keystone State" had already been bestowed upon Pennsylvania. The city of Cincinnati was founded along the Ohio River, where the Great Miami River flows into the Ohio River in 1788, further emphasizing the state's position as a midpoint in the westward expansion of the early United States. It is important to note that at the time the nickname was given, no additional states were yet formed, including those that would later become Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois.

Northern Frontier and Great Lakes

The exploration and settlement of the Northern frontier were key to the national identity of the United States. The Old Northwest Territory, which was organized in 1787 after the end of the Revolutionary War, was a significant area in the early history of the United States. The territory was granted to the United States under the Treaty of Paris and outlawed slavery, calling for the creation of five states from that territory. Ohio was the first of the states to join the Union in 1803, followed by Indiana in 1816, Illinois in 1818, Michigan in 1837, and Wisconsin in 1846. The settlement and control of these territories were contested regions, particularly during the War of 1812, where the British occupied Fort Detroit and sought to wrest control from the United States. The battles of Fort Meigs in 1813 and the subsequent Battle of the Thames in 1813 secured the Southern Great Lakes for the United States, effectively ending the threat from hostile Native American tribes in the eastern part of the Old Northwest Territory. Today, the town of Put-in-Bay on South Bass Island is a major summer tourist destination, often referred to as "Ohio's Key West." It is rich in historical significance, marked by a National Historic Site commemorating Commodore Perry's victory at the Battle of Lake Erie. On this island, you can see the flags of the United States, Canada, and Great Britain flying together, symbolizing more than two centuries of peace between the two countries. The column on the island, standing at 300 feet, offers visitors a panoramic view of the Canadian mainland and Peelee Island in Lake Erie, further evoking the romantic and historical themes.