Marker Logo
THE HISTORICAL
MARKER DATABASE
“Bite-Size Bits of Local, National, and Global History”
William Penn Annex East in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
 

History of Franklin Square

 
 
History of Franklin Square Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 26, 2022
1. History of Franklin Square Marker
Inscription. Franklin Square dates to 1682 and is one of Philadelphia-Founder William Penn's five original city squares. Spanning just under 8 acres, this beautiful green space was part of Penn's plan for Philadelphia to be a "green countrie towne" meant to be shared and enjoyed by all. Originally called "North East Publick Square," it was renamed for Benjamin Franklin in 1825. Over the years, it has been used as a cattle pasture, a horse and cattle market, burial ground, magazine (storage) for ammunition powder, a drill & parade ground for the American military during the War of 1812, and finally, a city park. The fountain was built in 1837 and is thought to be the oldest surviving fountain in William Penn's historic squares. In 1915, the Square was placed under the care and management of the Fairmount Park Commission, which in turn granted Historic Philadelphia, Inc. permission to renovate and operate it in the summer of 2006.
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: AnimalsColonial EraParks & Recreational AreasSettlements & SettlersWar of 1812. A significant historical year for this entry is 1682.
 
Location. 39° 57.314′ N, 75° 9.006′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in William Penn Annex East. It is on
Paid Advertisement
Click or scan to see
this page online
North 6th Street (U.S. 30) just north of Race Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 222 N 6th St, Philadelphia PA 19106, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Pennsylvania. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, New Netherland, and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Franklin Square (within shouting distance of this marker); Historic Burial Grounds (within shouting distance of this marker); History of the Fountain (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Franklin Square (within shouting distance of this marker); Chinatown / Tai Chi (within shouting distance of this marker); Ralph Modjeski (within shouting distance of this marker); History of the German Reformed Church Burial Ground (within shouting distance of this marker); History of Carousel Making in Philadelphia (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.
 
History of Franklin Square Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 26, 2022
2. History of Franklin Square Marker
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 3, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 437 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos:   1, 2. submitted on March 3, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
m=192983

CeraNet Cloud Computing sponsors the Historical Marker Database.
This website earns income from purchases you make after using our links to Amazon.com. We appreciate your support.
Paid Advertisement
Jun. 20, 2026