Stadiums Built Over Ancient Ruins and Historic Landmarks

24. Franklin Field – Philadelphia, USA

Franklin Field, located on the University of Pennsylvania campus, is the oldest operating stadium in the United States and a beloved landmark for college football fans. Opened in 1895, it has hosted everything from Ivy League rivalries and Army-Navy games to NFL championships and even speeches by presidents. But few realize that long before bleachers and bandstands took over, this area was part of the ancestral lands of the Lenape (Delaware) people. For centuries, the Lenape used the region near the Schuylkill River for seasonal fishing, ceremonial gatherings, and trade. Though much of their presence has been erased by urban development, records from early European settlers describe Lenape camps and meeting grounds near where Franklin Field now stands. While no structures remain visible today, the cultural memory of this land persists, with local tribes and historians acknowledging its significance. In a city steeped in colonial and revolutionary lore, Franklin Field also serves as a quiet reminder of the Indigenous communities who lived, celebrated, and honored this land long before the first touchdown was ever scored. Built Over: Indigenous Lenape ceremonial grounds.