Remember me to Herald Square. That iconic line from George M. Cohan’s song captures a very different Herald Square than what we see today. Herald Square is a major commercial intersection in Midtown Manhattan. It is formed by Broadway, Sixth Avenue, and 34th Street.
Herald Square got its name from the New York Herald newspaper. The newspaper was headquartered here. The area around Herald Square is now a retail hub. But it wasn’t always that way.
Back in 1846, this area was acquired to extend Bloomingdale Road, now Broadway. The New York Herald moved here in the 1890s. This was a bold move. Newspaper Row had traditionally been downtown. James Gordon Bennett Jr. made the move. He was the playboy son of the Herald founder.
Bennett commissioned Stanford White to design the New York Herald Building. It was modeled after the Palazzo del Consiglio in Verona. Bennett only took out a 30-year lease on the land. He said, Thirty years from now The Herald will be in Harlem, and I’ll be in hell.
The New York Times moved north in 1904 to Times Square. The Herald was gobbled up by the New York Tribune in 1924. It became the New York Herald Tribune.
The Herald Building was demolished in 1921. But some details remain. Two of the 26 bronze owls are now on the Herald Square monument. They symbolize the wisdom of the newspaper.
Macy’s also moved to Herald Square in the 1890s. It came from 14th Street and 6th Avenue. The five-story building behind the Macy’s bag has a story. Rowland H. Macy wanted to buy the corner property. Henry Siegel of Siegel-Cooper also wanted it. Siegel outbid Macy.
Macy didn’t give in. Siegel built the five-story building. Macy’s began to advertise on the building around 1945. It has since evolved into the big shopping bag we see today. Macy’s was the largest department store in the world from 1924 to 2009.
Herald and Greeley squares stand today as rest areas. They are for the thousands of shoppers. They are also a lunchroom for office workers. They serve as a stage for product launches. You might even see musical performances. Photo and film shoots happen here.
Since 1992, the 34th Street Partnership has cared for Herald and Greeley Squares. They provide sanitary and security services. They maintain trees, gardens, and planters. The partnership also added movable chairs, tables, and umbrellas.
In 2009, the city created Broadway Boulevard. This increased pedestrian space. The two blocks of Broadway between 33rd and 35th Streets were closed to traffic. They became pedestrian-only.
Herald Square keeps changing. It has transformed from a transportation hub. It is now a pedestrian-friendly intersection. It’s fun to remember how it all began. It started as a calculated bet from a newspaper publisher.
So, as you explore Herald Square, remember its rich history. Think about the newspapers, the retail battles, and the public spaces. Herald Square is more than just an intersection. It’s a symbol of New York City’s ever-evolving spirit.