Market Square, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: Difference between revisions

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Coordinates: 40°15′35″N 76°52′55″W / 40.259628°N 76.881903°W / 40.259628; -76.881903
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|image_caption=Market Square, as seen at night facing South
|image_caption=South half of Market Square, as seen at night
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[[John Harris Jr. (settler)|John Harris, Jr.]] the founder of Harrisburg had his son-in-law, [[William Maclay (Pennsylvania senator)|William Maclay]], draw up a plan for the town in 1785. It allowed for 207 quarter-acre building lots aligned along streets set to a standard width of {{convert|52|ft|6|in|m|spell=in}}.<ref name="market square">[http://www.afrolumens.org/violent/marketsquare.htm Market Square, Harrisburg, PA] George F. Nagle and Afrolumens Project, 2010. Retrieved 2011-01-28.</ref> Market Street, envisioned as the grand avenue of the new town, was [[Planned community|planned]] at eighty feet wide. Where it intersected with Second Street, Maclay planned in ample setbacks to allow for a “Market Square,” which has remained a prominent feature of Harrisburg to this present day.<ref name="market square" />
[[John Harris Jr. (settler)|John Harris, Jr.]] the founder of Harrisburg had his son-in-law, [[William Maclay (Pennsylvania senator)|William Maclay]], draw up a plan for the town in 1785. It allowed for 207 quarter-acre building lots aligned along streets set to a standard width of {{convert|52|ft|6|in|m|spell=in}}.<ref name="market square">[http://www.afrolumens.org/violent/marketsquare.htm Market Square, Harrisburg, PA] George F. Nagle and Afrolumens Project, 2010. Retrieved 2011-01-28.</ref> Market Street, envisioned as the grand avenue of the new town, was [[Planned community|planned]] at eighty feet wide. Where it intersected with Second Street, Maclay planned in ample setbacks to allow for a “Market Square,” which has remained a prominent feature of Harrisburg to this present day.<ref name="market square" />


At this time, two market "sheds" laid in the center of Market Square for residents to buy food. Though Wednesdays and Saturdays were the two main market days, the market was open daily for other perishables. As it was normal to come centrally to the market for food, it also grew to become the natural site for civic events.<ref name="PA Marker">{{Cite web |url=https://explorepahistory.com/hmarker.php?markerId=1-A-2E |title=Market Square Historical Marker |access-date=2024-04-18 |website=explorepahistory.com}}</ref>
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Since the 1980s, open [[concert]]s performed by professional artists have taken place at Market Square.<ref name="music">[http://www.marketsquareconcerts.org/ Market Square Concerts] Retrieved 2011-01-28.</ref>

President [[George Washington]] spoke to a crowd here regarding the [[Whiskey Rebellion]] on October 4, 1794.<ref>{{Cite web |title=George Washington to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Citizens, October 4, 1794 |url=https://www.loc.gov/resource/mgw2.040/?sp=16 |access-date=2024-04-18 |website=Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA}}</ref> On February 22, 1861 [[Abraham Lincoln]] addressed a crowd from his hotel in Market Square.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Harrisburg - Inaugural Journey - Lincoln Home National Historic Site (U.S. National Park Service) |url=https://www.nps.gov/liho/harrisburgpa-inaugural-journey.htm |access-date=2024-04-18 |website=www.nps.gov |language=en}}</ref> Thousands gathered to hear [[John F. Kennedy]] campaign for President at Market Square on October 24, 1960.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McClure |first=Joe |date=2013-11-15 |title=John F. Kennedy's visits to Harrisburg area drew thousands: Joe McClure |url=https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2013/11/jfks_visits_to_harrisburg_area_drew_thousands.html |access-date=2024-04-18 |website=pennlive |language=en}}</ref> Revolutionary War hero the [[Marquis De Lafayette]], [[Daniel Webster]] and General [[Ulysses S. Grant]] also have spoken at Market Square.<ref name="PA Marker" />

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Since the 1980s, open [[concert]]s performed by professional artists have taken place at the square, and it is the location for the "drop" at the City's New Years Eve celebration.<ref name="music">[http://www.marketsquareconcerts.org/ Market Square Concerts] Retrieved 2011-01-28.</ref>


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File:Market Square Harrisburg 1890.jpg|Market Square looking north, c. 1890
File:Market Square Harrisburg 1890.jpg|Market Square looking north, c. 1890
File:Harrisburg Market Square and City Government Center.jpg|Market Square, [[Penn National Insurance]] Building (left), Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. City Government Center (right)
File:Harrisburg Market Square and City Government Center.jpg|Market Square, [[Penn National Insurance]] Building (left), Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. City Government Center (right)
File:Market Square in Harrisburg.jpg
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Latest revision as of 13:57, 18 April 2024

Market Square
Neighborhood of Harrisburg
South half of Market Square, as seen at night
South half of Market Square, as seen at night
Country United States
StatePennsylvania
CountyDauphin County
CityHarrisburg
Area code(s)717 and 223
DesignatedFebruary 25, 1953[1]

Harrisburg's Market Square is located in Downtown Harrisburg at the intersection of 2nd and Market Streets. The square was created in 1785. Since then, it has traditionally been the navigational center of the city, and experienced a post-1980s revival, with the creation of several new commercial, residential and retail spaces.

Market Square serves as a hub for Capital Area Transit (CAT) buses. It is located one block from Riverfront Park and the Market Street Bridge, which crosses over the Susquehanna River.

History[edit]

John Harris, Jr. the founder of Harrisburg had his son-in-law, William Maclay, draw up a plan for the town in 1785. It allowed for 207 quarter-acre building lots aligned along streets set to a standard width of fifty-two feet six inches (16.00 m).[2] Market Street, envisioned as the grand avenue of the new town, was planned at eighty feet wide. Where it intersected with Second Street, Maclay planned in ample setbacks to allow for a “Market Square,” which has remained a prominent feature of Harrisburg to this present day.[2]

At this time, two market "sheds" laid in the center of Market Square for residents to buy food. Though Wednesdays and Saturdays were the two main market days, the market was open daily for other perishables. As it was normal to come centrally to the market for food, it also grew to become the natural site for civic events.[3]

President George Washington spoke to a crowd here regarding the Whiskey Rebellion on October 4, 1794.[4] On February 22, 1861 Abraham Lincoln addressed a crowd from his hotel in Market Square.[5] Thousands gathered to hear John F. Kennedy campaign for President at Market Square on October 24, 1960.[6] Revolutionary War hero the Marquis De Lafayette, Daniel Webster and General Ulysses S. Grant also have spoken at Market Square.[3]

Since the 1980s, open concerts performed by professional artists have taken place at the square, and it is the location for the "drop" at the City's New Years Eve celebration.[7]

40°15′35″N 76°52′55″W / 40.259628°N 76.881903°W / 40.259628; -76.881903

Gallery[edit]

  • Market Square looking north, c. 1890
    Market Square looking north, c. 1890
  • Market Square, Penn National Insurance Building (left), Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. City Government Center (right)
    Market Square, Penn National Insurance Building (left), Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. City Government Center (right)

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "PHMC Historical Markers Search" (Searchable database). Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Retrieved 2014-01-25.
  2. ^ a b Market Square, Harrisburg, PA George F. Nagle and Afrolumens Project, 2010. Retrieved 2011-01-28.
  3. ^ a b "Market Square Historical Marker". explorepahistory.com. Retrieved 2024-04-18.
  4. ^ "George Washington to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Citizens, October 4, 1794". Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. Retrieved 2024-04-18.
  5. ^ "Harrisburg - Inaugural Journey - Lincoln Home National Historic Site (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2024-04-18.
  6. ^ McClure, Joe (2013-11-15). "John F. Kennedy's visits to Harrisburg area drew thousands: Joe McClure". pennlive. Retrieved 2024-04-18.
  7. ^ Market Square Concerts Retrieved 2011-01-28.
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