Views showing the snow covered public square originally laid out as the Northeast Square in 1683 between Race, Vine, North Sixth, and North Franklin streets. Includes barren trees, path markers, an iron-work fence, and a man leaning on a tree. Renamed Franklin Square in 1825. Square was used as a pasture, burial ground, and a drilling ground for troops., Title from manuscript note on mounts., Grey paper mounts with square corners., Originally part of a McAllister scrapbook of views of Philadelphia., One of the images [(8)1322.F.11a] reproduced in The Print and Photograph Department of the Library Company of Philadelphia's Center City Philadelphia in the 19th century (Portsmouth, N.H.: Arcadia Publishing, 2006), p. 117., Arcadia caption text: This view shows the snow-covered plaza between Race, Vine, Sixth, and Franklin streets originally known as the Northeast Square and renamed Franklin Square in honor of Benjamin Franklin. The square, described by visitors in the 1850s as a bucolic haven within the city, was previously used as a pasture, a burial ground for the neighboring German Reformed Church, and a drilling ground for troops. This 1860 winter view shows the many trees of the square lining paths that had been fitted with rows of small stools to discourage loitering. The square also contained a noted central marble fountain built in 1837 that can be seen in the c.1870 photograph below. The fountain was one of several improvements to the square following the relinquishment of the grounds by the German Reformed Church c. 1836., Digitization funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012.
Creator
Odiorne, Henry B., 1805-1860, photographer
Date
1860
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department stereo - Odiorne - Parks & squares [(8)1322.F.9g; (8)1322.F.11a]
