Society Hill in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Welcome to Washington Square
Founder William Penn had a plan for Philadelphia. He wanted a prosperous, bustling city with straight, orderly streets. He also set aside five squares, establishing parks for the public. Both ideas influenced the design of many later American towns and cities.
Southeast Square, renamed for George Washington in 1825, only slowly lived up to Penn's ideal. In the 18th century, it served as a burial ground and pasture. In the 19th century the city added trees, walks, benches, lamps, and an ornamental fence. An 1846 guidebook described the Square as "beautiful and fashionable."
In the mid-2oth century, residents added the memorial to Washington and unknown soldiers of the American Revolution. It remains the Square's centerpiece.
The Square's importance to the nation was formally recognized when it became part of Independence National Historical Park at the beginning of the 21st century.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Horticulture & Forestry • Parks & Recreational Areas • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical year for this entry is 1825.
Location. 39° 56.86′ N, 75° 9.076′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Washington Square (a few steps from this marker); Penn's Plan (a few steps from this marker); Bicentennial Moon Tree (a few steps from this marker); In Memory of the Many American Soldiers (within shouting distance of this marker); Tom Foglietta (within shouting distance of this marker); Walnut Street Prison (within shouting distance of this marker); Historic Site in Journalism (within shouting distance of this marker); Maxfield Parrish (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Other markers in Washington Square
Also see . . . Washington Square - U.S. History.org website. (Submitted on July 9, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.)
Photographed By Beverly Pfingsten, July 5, 2008
2. Welcome to Washington Square Marker
Photographed By Beverly Pfingsten, July 5, 2008
3. Entrance to Washington Square at Walnut and 6th Streets.
Photographed By Beverly Pfingsten, July 5, 2008
4. Photo on Marker
Shaded walks lead to a memorial to General George Washington and the Unknown Soldiers of the American Revolution.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 9, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 887 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 9, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 9, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.
