“Why McKinley Square?” I often wonder what went through the minds of those who named this humble park. McKinley Square sits at 169th Street and Boston Road in the Bronx. It’s more than just a pocket park. It’s a place steeped in history.
Just after 1901, this square received its name. It honored President William McKinley. McKinley was tragically assassinated in Buffalo.
Look around. Try to imagine this place circa 1910. The Bronx looked old-timey then. You would have seen only one automobile in the distance. Telephone poles lined the sidewalks. A liberty flag post stood tall. An ad for Zeman chocolates adorned a tenement building.
McKinley wasn’t the only president memorialized here. In 1903, three oak trees were planted. They honored martyred presidents. These trees bore the names Lincoln, Garfield, and McKinley. Perhaps those are the ones in that old postcard.
See that building on the square? It’s the McKinley Building. It stands on the north side of the square. The building dates back to around 1904. City directories listed “McKinley Bldg (offices)” here. Addresses ranged from 1303 to 1299-1303 or 1301 Boston Road. This was between 1906 and 1920.
An old ad from 1904 mentions James Butler Grocery Stores. Its location was 2 McKinley Building. That’s at the corner of 169th Street and Boston Road.
McKinley Square has witnessed many changes. It has seen the rise and fall of businesses. It has felt the pulse of a growing city. The square has silently observed the passage of time.
Today, McKinley Square offers a small respite. It’s a place to reflect on the past. It’s also a place to appreciate the present. Remember the presidents who shaped our nation. Think of the people who walked these streets long ago. McKinley Square continues to stand. It serves as a reminder of our history.