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Historic Philadelphia is probably best known as the birthplace of democracy. Its colonial buildings are well preserved for all to see. The people of Philadelphia are proud of their heritage and the large part their city played in shaping our great nation. During the eighteenth century, everyone who was anyone spent time in Philadelphia. Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, and Patrick Henry, were familiar faces among those of Pennsylvania'a most progressive township. Of all the influential people found in colonial Philadelphia, probably the best loved and admired was the genius, Benjamin Franklin.

Franklin began life as the fifteenth child of a Boston soap maker, and grew to be one of our country's leading citizens. He arrived in Philadelphia in 1723, at the tender age of seventeen. It wasn't long before his talents as a printer, publisher, and writer, set him apart from the general population. Before long, Franklin's ambitions led to other intellectual pursuits. His accomplishments in the fields of science, philosophy, diplomacy, design, and civic improvement, are unrivaled even today. His inventions were far ahead of their time, and are sometimes used in modern society. Later in life, Franklin spent time in France as the official envoy (diplomat) of the colonies. The French simply adored Benjamin Franklin. Upon his death in 1790, French citizens turned out by the thousands to mourn and pay him tribute.

During his lifetime, Franklin purchased very little real estate. In 1763, on what is now Franklin Court, in Philadelphia, construction began on the only home he ever owned. A steel frame marks the spot where Franklin's three-story house once stood. Glass tubes were placed inside the frame to allow visitors the opportunity of viewing the original foundations. Unfortunately, nothing more remains of the building where Franklin spent his last days - nothing physical anyway.

Benjamin Franklin believed that "early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise." He adhered to this philosophy and lived his life accordingly. Franklin was known to rise well before dawn and walk the streets of his neighborhood. People who lived in the area spoke of hearing Franklin's heavy footsteps on the cobblestones in the early morning hours. He was also known to whistle while he walked the darkened streets of Philadelphia. These sometimes annoying habits are thought not to have ended with Franklin's death.

Just before sunrise over Franklin Court, the sound of footsteps is often heard emanating from the reconstructed courtyard. Someone whistling a happy tune can also be detected in nearby buildings. People have even reported catching a glimpse of the great man himself as he passes throughout the streets. A local policeman, who doesn't wish to be identified for professional reasons, says he witnessed Franklin's ghost one morning just before dawn. "I was patrolling the area near Franklin Court when I saw someone dressed in colonial clothing," the Policeman explained. "I didn't think much of it because it's not unusual to see colonial costumes here in Philadelphia.

He was whistling too loud for that hour of the morning, so I got out of the car to catch up with him on foot. I needed to tell him to keep it down. He was walking slowly and with a cane, so I knew it wouldn't take me long to reach him. I called out to him, but he ignored me. He finally turned a corner and out of sight. It was only a couple of seconds before I turned the same corner. He should've been right in front of me, but he wasn't. If he weren't a ghost, there'd be no explanation for his disappearance other than he sprouted wings and flew away."

Was this the ghost of Benjamin Franklin or just a clever imposter? Perhaps if you walk Franklin Court just before dawn, you may learn the answer to this question yourself.