Harrisburg in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Market Square
Photographed By William Pfingsten, March 21, 2008
1. Market Square Marker
Inscription.
Market Square. . Here is situated the nationally renowned historic and contemporary urban hub of the City of Harrisburg and the Greater Harrisburg Metropolitan Area. Laid out as the center focus of John Harris, Jr.'s plan in 1785 when Harrisburg was a launching point for Western pioneer excursions and a trading center, Market Square has witnessed ongoing transformations driven by a town on the move. Originally occupying low swampy land, the Square was configured and improved to allow for the erection in 1792 of two central farmers markets to serve frontiersmen and residents alike. They remained the center of trade for the farmers of the region until more congested transportation activity and the development of the Chestnut, Allison Hill and Broad Street market houses caused their demise in 1889. Poised as a nucleus of street car activity and overall city hustle and bustle, the Square commanded the best inns and stores as well as Harrisburg's first multi-story office buildings and continued to evolve into the corporate and hotel center that it is today. Here is the site of many events and rallies. Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, Bill Clinton and nearly every other U.S. President, and a host of others from Charles Dickens to the earliest pioneers, are but some of the millions of people who have visited this Square over the past 200 years.
Here is situated the nationally renowned historic and contemporary urban hub of the City of Harrisburg and the Greater Harrisburg Metropolitan Area. Laid out as the center focus of John Harris, Jr.'s plan in 1785 when Harrisburg was a launching point for Western pioneer excursions and a trading center, Market Square has witnessed ongoing transformations driven by a town on the move. Originally occupying low swampy land, the Square was configured and improved to allow for the erection in 1792 of two central farmers markets to serve frontiersmen and residents alike. They remained the center of trade for the farmers of the region until more congested transportation activity and the development of the Chestnut, Allison Hill and Broad Street market houses caused their demise in 1889. Poised as a nucleus of street car activity and overall city hustle and bustle, the Square commanded the best inns and stores as well as Harrisburg's first multi-story office buildings and continued to evolve into the corporate and hotel center that it is today. Here is the site of many events and rallies. Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, Bill Clinton and nearly every other U.S. President, and a host of others from Charles Dickens to the earliest pioneers, are but some of the millions of people who have visited this Square over the past 200 years.
Erected by
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The Harrisburg History Project Commissioned by Mayor Stephen R. Reed.
Location. 40° 15.588′ N, 76° 52.906′ W. Marker is in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in Dauphin County. Marker is at the intersection of 2nd Street and Market Street, in the median on 2nd Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Harrisburg PA 17101, United States of America. Touch for directions.
More about this marker. [Captions:]
Market Square looking north in 1880 showing the market houses which were demolished in 1889.
Market Square's energy is captured in this 1908 view looking north.
Market Square postcard view looking south from the Union Trust Building in 1910. Note the Johnston Building (now the Menaker Building) left center before 5th and 6th floors were added.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Pennsylvania Historical Commission Market Square Marker
Photographed By John K. Robinson, March 6, 2009
3. Market Square Marker
Market Square, looking north, at night.
circa 1861
4. Market Square in Wartime, Harrisburg, Pa.
Utilizing the same perspective as the topmost photo on the marker, but 20 years earlier.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 23, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 25, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,915 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos:1. submitted on March 25, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 2. submitted on May 17, 2008, by John K. Robinson of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. 3. submitted on August 2, 2009, by John K. Robinson of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. 4. submitted on November 6, 2015.