[2] Leather tanners had used Dock Creek since the city's early days, both as a water source in which to soak animal hides, and for refuse disposal.

[3] In 1763, the creek was used as an open sewer and described as "a Receptacle for the Carcasses of dead Dogs, and other Carrion, and Filth of various kinds, which laying exposed to the Sun and Air putrify and become extremely offensive and injurious to the Health of the Inhabitants.

[10] In the late 1950s, Society Hill was considered a slum neighborhood,[11] and the market had come to be known for its congestion and noise in the early morning hours, and the infestation of vermin that fed on the discarded produce.

[12] The United States Department of Agriculture had published a study in 1951 supporting the move of the market to Delaware and Oregon avenues in South Philadelphia.

[13] The Philadelphia City Planning Commission and the Redevelopment Authority targeted Society Hill including the market.

They relocated and demolished the Dock Street market, setting aside 5 acres (20,000 m2) of land that would become the Society Hill Towers.