Downtown Harrisburg in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Swenson Plaza Flood Memorial

Photographed by Beverly Pfingsten, March 15, 2008

1. Swenson Plaza Flood Memorial Marker

Inscription. The enlargement and beautification of Swenson Plaza, completed in 1999, was proposed and initiated by Mayor Stephen R. Reed during ceremonies marking the 25th anniversary of Harrisburg's devastating 1972 Flood caused by Tropical Storm Agnes. As a riverfront gathering place and pedestrian gateway to Harrisburg and City Island, Swenson Plaza and the historic People's Bridge stand as reminders of this community's resilience and civic pride. To those whose leadership, service and courage are exemplified by that of Harrisburg's late Mayor Harold Swenson, this plaza is both a tribute to past deeds and an inspiration for the future.
Plaza funding provided by:
The People's Bridge Coalition
Historic Harrisburg Association
Riverfront People's Park Organization
The John Crain Kunkel Foundation
American Institute of Architects
Harold and Elsie Swenson Fund of the Greater Harrisburg Foundation
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
and hundreds of individual contributors, including many school children
The Honorable Stephen R. Reed, Mayor
and
The City of Harrisburg.

Dedicated September 15, 1999

Topics. This historical marker and memorial is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is September 15, 1849.

Location.

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40° 15.555′ N, 76° 53.067′ W. Marker is in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in Dauphin County. It is in Downtown Harrisburg. It can be reached from the intersection of Walnut Street and N. Front Street. Marker is at the base of The People's Bridge leading to City Island. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 101 N Front St, Harrisburg PA 17101, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker and memorial is in South-Central Pennsylvania, specifically in Pennsylvania Dutch Country,

and in the Susquehanna Valley.

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

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: James McCormick Mansion (here, next to this marker); Harrisburg Public Library Dauphin County Library System (here, next to this marker); The People’s Bridge (a few steps from this marker); The First River School (a few steps from this marker); Kousa Dogwood (a few steps from this marker); Walnut Street Bridge (a few steps from this marker); Explore the Capital Area Greenbelt (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named The People’s Bridge (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Harrisburg.

Swenson Plaza and The People's Bridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Beverly Pfingsten, March 15, 2008

2. Swenson Plaza and The People's Bridge

Credits. This page was last revised on January 22, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 18, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 2,421 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 18, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.