A grist mill was built in 1804 on the Indian River, adjacent to the north side of the large waterfall in the village.

In 1959, the Indian River Central High School opened, serving students from the towns of Philadelphia, Theresa, Antwerp, Leray, and Pamelia.

The Sterlingville Archeological District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1995.

New York Route 26 progresses north from Philadelphia towards Alexandria Bay, and south to Vestal.

Branches went north to Clayton, Ogdensburg and Massena Springs, and they went south to Niagara Falls, Syracuse, Rome and Utica.

Philadelphia holds the all-time December record low temperature for New York state at −47 °F (−44 °C).

When cream cheese first appeared in the United States around 1870, it was produced in small batches by many farmers in New York.