Curious about a revitalized green space? I am talking about Franklin Square. It’s one of William Penn’s original five squares in Philadelphia. Penn planned it in 1682.
Franklin Square is located in Center City. It sits between North 6th and 7th Streets. Race Street and the Vine Street Expressway border it. Penn envisioned it as a place for settlers. He hoped they would meditate and show virtuous behavior. He wanted them to appreciate nature.
But Franklin Square’s development was slow. The land was marshy. By the 1920s, it was neglected. The surrounding area became known as the “tenderloin”. Taverns and bordellos filled the area. Homeless individuals slept on the park benches. It gained a reputation as Philadelphia’s skid row.
Everything changed in 2003. Historic Philadelphia, Inc. began a renovation project. They added commercial spaces and houses. This attracted tourists and helped restore the park. Franklin Square returned to Penn’s original vision.
Historic Philadelphia, a non-profit organization, now manages Franklin Square. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1981. Originally, it was called North East Publick Square. In 1825, it was renamed to honor Benjamin Franklin. He represented Pennsylvania at the Second Continental Congress.
Initially, William Penn designed Franklin Square as a commercial center. He wanted settlers to have an orderly space. This would encourage social discipline. However, Penn lacked the authority over the squares. As more settlers arrived, the square suffered from neglect.
In 1741, Governor Thomas Penn leased Franklin Square to the German Reformed Church. The square was initially a common area. People grazed animals there. Later, it served as a storage for gunpowder during the Revolutionary War. Soldiers drilled there during the War of 1812.
From 1741 to 1835, a portion of Franklin Square was a cemetery. The German Reformed Church used it. Some graves remain. They are marked by a plaque. Philadelphians protested this use. They felt it went against Penn’s plan. They wanted the square used for nature. Despite protests, burials continued.
During the 1820s, William Rush and Thomas Birch redesigned Franklin Square. They aimed to depict nature. They made the park symmetrical. This applied to walkways and plant locations. This ensured order for tourists. It also preserved Penn’s vision.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Franklin Square was in a fashionable area. But starting in the 1920s, things changed. The rise of the automobile led to the square’s decline. The Benjamin Franklin Bridge was built from 1922 to 1926. This leveled blocks of homes and shops. The bridge starts at the square’s eastern boundary.
The steady flow of cars made Vine Street busy. Vine Street is Franklin Square’s northern boundary. This cut off pedestrian access. Pedestrian use declined significantly in Franklin Square. The surrounding area declined too. During the Depression, the square became a refuge for the homeless.
The lack of pedestrians led to encampments. Drug dealers also frequented the area. Teachers cleaned the playground for the children. The park was severely neglected. People no longer wanted to visit Franklin Square.
But today Franklin Square is a lively space. It is family-friendly. Attractions include Philly Mini Golf and the Parx Liberty Carousel. There are also two playgrounds. SquareBurger provides food. The park hosts the Philadelphia Chinese Festival. It features handcrafted lanterns. Tourists can explore Franklin Square.
The Franklin Square Fountain was built in 1838. The water comes from the Schuylkill River. The fence and stone work are original. It is thought to be the oldest surviving fountain in Penn’s squares.
In 1976, the Living Flame Memorial was erected. It honors fallen police officers and firefighters. Reginald E. Beauchamp centered the memorial.
So come experience the renewed Franklin Square. It’s a testament to Philadelphia’s history. It is also a vibrant part of its present.