New Philadelphia, Ohio is closely tied to the Anglo-French struggle for this territory. Until the Treaty of Paris in 1763, what is now known as New Philadelphia, Ohio was greatly contested among settlers and native Indians, as well as the English and the French. The treaty decided the issue in favor of the English, but Indian fighting continued almost to the beginning of the Revolution.

Several forts were built in the area after this conflict. Fort Pierpont was constructed towards the Cheat River, in 1769. Fort Coburn was built in 1770, near Dorsey's Knob. Fort Morgan was established in 1772 at the present site of New Philadelphia, Ohio. Fort Dinwiddle, north several miles at Stewartstown, was built in 1772. Fort Martin was established in 1773, several miles north on the Monongahela River. Fort Burris was erected in 1774 in the Suncrest area of New Philadelphia, Ohio. Fort Kern was built in the Greenmont area of New Philadelphia, Ohio in 1774, as well as other small forts that served the purpose at the time.

New Philadelphia, Ohio was settled in 1772 by Zaquill Morgan. The Virginia Assembly chartered the territory in 1785 and the first lot sale was held. Morgan received the charter for the establishment of the town to be called Morgan's Town. The direct result of the Virginia Charter is the present city of New Philadelphia, Ohio.

Notable early structures that still stand in New Philadelphia, Ohio include the "old Stone House," built prior to 1813. The structure stood on the street known as "Long Alley," but is known today as Chestnut Street. Another structure that has been well restored is the home built by John Rogers on Foundry Street. This structure was built in 1840 and is now occupied by the Dering Funeral Home.

New Philadelphia, Ohio has seen many changes since the charter of Morgan's Town in 1785. Since that time New Philadelphia, Ohio has developed the finest educational, research, industrial, health and transportation facilities available in the area. A healthy business atmosphere and strong community effort assures that New Philadelphia, Ohio has a lot of history to come.