The Great Square

The Great Square. Karl Stirner Arts Trail. , Surveyor William Parsons designated the City of Easton in a grid pattern radiating from this “Great Square” and the original Northampton County courthouse was erected in the square in 1765. Robert Levers stood on the steps of the courthouse to read the Declaration of Independence to the gathered public on July 8, 1776. This was one of three public readings of the documents to take place throughout the colonies.

The Civil War Monument that now stands on the old courthouse site is a 75 foot tall obelisk topped by what is called the “Bugler.” Formally named the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument, the obelisk was designed to honor all of the armed forces who fought in the Civil War and was dedicated to local veterans in 1900.

Since circa 1752, the Great Square has also been the site of the oldest continuously operating open-air farmer’s market in the United States. To this day, the Square serves as one of the primary gathering places for residents of Easton.

(Inscription under the image in the upper left) , The Easton Farmers’ Market, established in 1752, is America’s oldest continuously-operated open-air market. The market stands proudly in its birthplace, the Great Square, where it has served the needs of the people for Easton for over 250 years.

(Inscription under the image in the lower left) , The first Northampton County Courthouse was built on this site in 1756, adjacent to the jailhouse that was Easton’s first public building. The Courthouse was used until 1861, when the current County courthouse was constructed on Walnut Street. Image Credit: The Northampton County Historical and Genealogical Society.