Peter (eagle)
Peter was a bald eagle who lived at the Philadelphia Mint from until 1836. He became well known after a while and was let out of the Mint each night to fly around the city of Philadelphia.
Life of Peter the Eagle
In the mid-1830s, Peter the bald eagle became a known figure in the city of Philadelphia. Peter resided in the Philadelphia Mint, a contrast from an eagle’s typical habitat. Founded in 1792, The Philadelphia Mint was the first mint in the United States and responsible for the production of coins.During the day Peter would stay indoors and fly around the mint. The workers loved having Peter be alongside them. Peter was considered an exemplary employee of the Philadelphia Mint. Every night, Peter was let out and would fly around the city. He would return by morning before the workers arrived.
While perched on a coining press one day, the machine suddenly started. His wing got caught in the coining press and he became badly injured and unable to fly. While many mint workers tried to help Peter, his wing was in too poor of a condition and he ultimately passed away.