Washington Square (Philadelphia, PA)

Overview

Alternate Names:

Site Dates:

Site Owner(s):

Site Designer(s):

Location:
Philadelphia, Pa.
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Related Sites:

Related Terms: Arch, Obelisk, Square

Images

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  George Bridport, Design for Washington Monument, Washington Square, Philadelphia, 1816.

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  George Bridport, Alternative designs for Washington Monument, Washington Square, Philadelphia, 1816.

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  Unknown, Map of Washington Square [detail], c. 1835-1840.

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  Unknown, Map of Washington Square [detail], c. 1835-1840.

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  M. Schmitz (artist), Thomas S. Sinclair (lithographer), John B. Colahan (surveyor), "Map of Washington Square, Philadelphia," 1843.

Texts

• Lane, Samuel, 1820, describing George Bridport’s proposal for Washington Square, Philadelphia, Pa. (quoted in O’Gorman et al. 1986: 68)

“[I am writing] to ascertain the artist who designed the public Garden on Chestnut Street [sic] at the place (if I am not mistaken) formerly called Potters field; and if he is in your town inquire if he would come on here [Washington, D.C.] to furnish a design for Improving the Capitol Square.” [Fig. 1]

• Watson, John Fanning, 1857, describing Washington Square, Philadelphia, Pa. (1:405)

"This beautiful square, now so much the resort of citizens and strangers, as a promenade, was, only twenty-five years ago, a 'Potter's Field,'....It was long enclosed in a post and rail fence, and always produced much grass."