The
Act of Consolidation, more formally known as the
act of February 2, 1854 (P.L. 21, No. 16), is legislation of the
Pennsylvania General Assembly that created the
consolidated City and County of
Philadelphia, expanding the city's territory to the entirety of
Philadelphia County and dissolving the other municipal authorities in the county. The law was enacted by the General Assembly and approved February 2, 1854 by
Governor William Bigler. This act consolidated all remaining
townships, districts, and
boroughs within the
County of Philadelphia, dissolving their governmental structures and bringing all municipal authority within the county under the auspices of the Philadelphia government. Additionally, any
unincorporated areas were included in the consolidation. The consolidation was drafted to help combat lawlessness that the many local governments could not handle separately and to bring in much-needed tax revenue for the city.