Much had happened in what is today Bristol before its official recognition as Buckingham in 1681.  The first inhabitants probably came during the last Ice Age.  The Paleo-Indian Man descended from the immigrants who crossed the Bering Straits into North America.  They were hunters who settled in this region as the last glacier withdrew, between twelve thousand and twenty thousand years ago.  They knew of fire, used flint tipped spears, and they probably used animal skins and lived in small temporary shelters.

    The Archaic Epoch followed in which the inhabitants used more diverse tools, and knew how to make flour.  villages became larger, and more permanent as agriculture became prevalent.  The population grew and with it came cultural development, trade and ideas.

    The Woodland Epoch followed and it was these inhabitants that the European settlers encountered.  The Lenni Lenape Indians came to this region then.   They were members of the Algonkian language group, which also included the Blackfoot, Arapaho and the Cheyenne.  The Lenni Lenape were divided into three groups with the Unami somewhat dominant among them.  The Unami settled in Bucks County.   Their symbol was the turtle.  "Lenni Lenape" directly translated into English means "Original People."  They believed they were ancestors of mankind to whom all others were related.  Their respect among other tribes was unusual.  They were called "grandfather", a sign of great respect.   One Lenape story was that "The Great Spirit" was akin to the Delaware River.  Their crops were the "Three Sisters": corn, beans, and squash.   The Lenape also started a fine Bristol tradition: during the summer months they made journeys to the shore of the ocean, where clambakes were held.  William Penn suspected they were descendants of the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel.

    Before the Europeans came to Bristol, Radcliffe Street was an Indian path, and the tall trees that lined it held nests of eagles.  The incursion of civilization drove the eagles, first from the Bristol area, and subsequently, from Bucks County.  One Indian story relates that in the days before noise pollution, the Delaware River was used to carry messages.  That is, on a quiet day when the river was calm, an Indian "below the falls" could kneel by the river, cup his hand, and speak onto the river.  The spoken message could be heard by another Indian at Bristol, with his ear held near the water's surface.

    William Penn's pledge of peace and harmony with the Indians lasted only during his lifetime.  Today only a few Lenape Indians may be found.  A handful who practice the tribal customs and speak the language live in Oklahoma.