William Penn Annex East in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
History of Franklin Square
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.
75° 9.006′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in William Penn Annex East. It is on 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
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 26, 2022
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 444 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on March 3, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
