Franklin Square - Philadelphia, PA
N 39° 57.298 W 075° 08.990
18S E 487201 N 4422769
Franklin Square (7.3 Acres) is one of the original five squares laid out by William Penn and his surveyor Thomas Holme in the plan for the city of Phila. in 1682. Today, it has been refurbished and is a wonderful place to play, relax and learn.
Waymark Code: WM49DZ
Location: Pennsylvania, United States
Date Posted: 07/25/2008
Views: 33
First designated as northeast square, it was renamed Franklin Square in 1825 in honor of Benjamin Franklin, a foremost American public servant, inventor and patron of the arts.
During the American Revolution, Franklin Square served as a burial ground, a horse and cattle market and an ammunition storage site. It has remained as open space public parkland since 1815 as have three of the other original squares - Logan, Rittenhouse & Washington. Center Square, at Broad and Market Streets is now the site of Philadelphia Landmark City Hall.
The park was refurbished and rededicated in July 2006, Franklin’s tercentenary year, by Once Upon A Nation and Fairmount Park. Complete with the Philadelphia Park Liberty Carousel, Philly Miniature Golf, new playgrounds and a restored 19th-century fountain, Franklin Square is now touted as an entertainment destination near Independence National Historical Park.
We played on the playground and rode the carousel. We did not have time for miniature golf. As you first enter (at the posted coordinates), look forward and to the right and there will be a sculpture made from sand. It changes from time to time but there is usually something there in the summer months. We also ate lunch here under a miniature pavilion with picnic tables and everything else you could need. Outstanding restrooms are here as well.
Address
Franklin Square
200 N. 6th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
215-629-4026
Street address: Race and 6th Sts. Philadelphia, PA USA 19106
County / Borough / Parish: Philadelphia County
Year listed: 1981
Historic (Areas of) Significance: Architecture/Engineering, Event
Periods of significance: 1650-1699, 1800-1824
Historic function: Landscape
Current function: Landscape
Primary Web Site: [Web Link]
Secondary Website 1: [Web Link]
Privately owned?: Not Listed
Season start / Season finish: Not listed
Hours of operation: Not listed
Secondary Website 2: Not listed
National Historic Landmark Link: Not listed
|
Visit Instructions:
Please give the date and brief account of your visit. Include any additional observations or information that you may have, particularly about the current condition of the site. Additional photos are highly encouraged, but not mandatory.