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Franklin Square (Philadelphia)
Encyclopedia
Franklin Square is one of the five original open-space parks planned by William Penn
during the late 17th century in central Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
.
, one of the most prominent Founding Fathers
of the United States
and a leading printer, scientist, inventor, civic activist and diplomat.
In its early years, the square was an open common used for grazing animals, storing gun powder (during the American Revolution
) drilling soldiers (during the War of 1812
). From 1741 to 1835, a portion of the Square was used as a cemetery by the German Reform Church; some of the graves still remain.
A legend maintains that this is the spot where Benjamin Franklin conducted his famous (though misunderstood) "kite and key" experiment in 1752. However, it would have been unlikely that Franklin would have flown a kite near a cemetery, and not all that far from possible observers from town. Still, the presence of Bolt of Lightning, Isamu Noguchi
’s large stainless steel sculpture that faces the Square across 6th Street (erected in 1984 as a tribute to Franklin), helps support this legend.
In the 19th and early 20th centuries, Franklin Square was at the center of a fashionable neighborhood in which to live. But beginning in the 1920s, a series of events corresponding with the rise of the automobile began the decline of the Square and its surrounding neighborhood. The construction of the Ben Franklin Bridge, from 1922–26, leveled blocks of row homes, shops and other structures; the Bridge begins at the Square’s eastern boundary, 6th Street. The steady flow of cars over the bridge made Franklin Square’s northern boundary, Vine Street, into one of the city’s busiest thoroughfares, effectively cutting off pedestrian access on two of the Square's sides.
In 1961, architecture writer Jane Jacobs
labeled Franklin Square a “skid row park,” a description that fit for decades. The neighborhood’s residential character was further eroded when the federal government established Independence Mall. The government acquired private land around the Square in the 1950s and 1960s and demolished blocks of homes and other buildings. The construction of the Vine Street Expressway in the late 1980s exacerbated the problem. Franklin Square became the least-used of Penn’s original five squares, and served mainly an encampment for the homeless
.
In 1976, the city dedicated the Living Flame Memorial to the city's fallen policemen and firefighters, centered on a sculpture by local sculptor Reginald E. Beauchamp
.
The park was refurbished and rededicated in July 2006, Franklin’s tercentenary year, by Historic Philadelphia, Incorporated, a non-profit company responsible for the Betsy Ross House
, Once Upon A Nation, and Lights of Liberty. Complete with the Philadelphia Park Liberty Carousel, Philly Miniature Golf, new playgrounds, and a restored 19th-century fountain, Franklin Square is now touted as an entertainment destination near Independence National Historical Park
. Added in 2009, SquareBurger is a new addition to the magnificent park providing an array of goodies like the Cake Shake. The Starr Restaurant Organization
was hired to operate the new SquareBurger and to cater events and birthday parties at the park. Recent development around Franklin Square has included new housing in the Northern Liberties section of Philadelphia and the redevelopment of the shuttered Metropolitan Hospital as a condominium project. As a result, pedestrian traffic has increased dramatically. On May 20, 2009, Delaware River Port Authority
(DRPA) Chairman John Estey announced that the DRPA would renovate and modernize the PATCO Speedline subway station under Franklin Square. The Franklin Square
station has been closed since 1979, but is now slated to be upgraded and made compliant with the Americans With Disabilities Act. No opening date has been set.
William Penn
William Penn was an English real estate entrepreneur, philosopher, and founder of the Province of Pennsylvania, the English North American colony and the future Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He was an early champion of democracy and religious freedom, notable for his good relations and successful...
during the late 17th century in central Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
.
History
Originally called Northeast Square, Franklin Square was renamed in 1825 to honor Benjamin FranklinBenjamin Franklin
Dr. Benjamin Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A noted polymath, Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, satirist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat...
, one of the most prominent Founding Fathers
Founding Fathers of the United States
The Founding Fathers of the United States of America were political leaders and statesmen who participated in the American Revolution by signing the United States Declaration of Independence, taking part in the American Revolutionary War, establishing the United States Constitution, or by some...
of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and a leading printer, scientist, inventor, civic activist and diplomat.
In its early years, the square was an open common used for grazing animals, storing gun powder (during the American Revolution
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
) drilling soldiers (during the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
). From 1741 to 1835, a portion of the Square was used as a cemetery by the German Reform Church; some of the graves still remain.
A legend maintains that this is the spot where Benjamin Franklin conducted his famous (though misunderstood) "kite and key" experiment in 1752. However, it would have been unlikely that Franklin would have flown a kite near a cemetery, and not all that far from possible observers from town. Still, the presence of Bolt of Lightning, Isamu Noguchi
Isamu Noguchi
was a prominent Japanese American artist and landscape architect whose artistic career spanned six decades, from the 1920s onward. Known for his sculpture and public works, Noguchi also designed stage sets for various Martha Graham productions, and several mass-produced lamps and furniture pieces,...
’s large stainless steel sculpture that faces the Square across 6th Street (erected in 1984 as a tribute to Franklin), helps support this legend.
In the 19th and early 20th centuries, Franklin Square was at the center of a fashionable neighborhood in which to live. But beginning in the 1920s, a series of events corresponding with the rise of the automobile began the decline of the Square and its surrounding neighborhood. The construction of the Ben Franklin Bridge, from 1922–26, leveled blocks of row homes, shops and other structures; the Bridge begins at the Square’s eastern boundary, 6th Street. The steady flow of cars over the bridge made Franklin Square’s northern boundary, Vine Street, into one of the city’s busiest thoroughfares, effectively cutting off pedestrian access on two of the Square's sides.
In 1961, architecture writer Jane Jacobs
Jane Jacobs
Jane Jacobs, was an American-Canadian writer and activist with primary interest in communities and urban planning and decay. She is best known for The Death and Life of Great American Cities , a powerful critique of the urban renewal policies of the 1950s in the United States...
labeled Franklin Square a “skid row park,” a description that fit for decades. The neighborhood’s residential character was further eroded when the federal government established Independence Mall. The government acquired private land around the Square in the 1950s and 1960s and demolished blocks of homes and other buildings. The construction of the Vine Street Expressway in the late 1980s exacerbated the problem. Franklin Square became the least-used of Penn’s original five squares, and served mainly an encampment for the homeless
Homelessness
Homelessness describes the condition of people without a regular dwelling. People who are homeless are unable or unwilling to acquire and maintain regular, safe, and adequate housing, or lack "fixed, regular, and adequate night-time residence." The legal definition of "homeless" varies from country...
.
In 1976, the city dedicated the Living Flame Memorial to the city's fallen policemen and firefighters, centered on a sculpture by local sculptor Reginald E. Beauchamp
Reginald E. Beauchamp
Reginald E. Beauchamp was an American sculptor whose works include Penny Franklin , Whispering Bells of Freedom , and a bust of Connie Mack that sits in the Baseball Hall of Fame....
.
The park was refurbished and rededicated in July 2006, Franklin’s tercentenary year, by Historic Philadelphia, Incorporated, a non-profit company responsible for the Betsy Ross House
Betsy Ross House
The Betsy Ross House may be where Betsy Ross lived when she may have made the first American Flag. By 1876, several surviving family members said this was the location....
, Once Upon A Nation, and Lights of Liberty. Complete with the Philadelphia Park Liberty Carousel, Philly Miniature Golf, new playgrounds, and a restored 19th-century fountain, Franklin Square is now touted as an entertainment destination near Independence National Historical Park
Independence National Historical Park
Independence National Historical Park is a United States National Historical Park in Philadelphia that preserves several sites associated with the American Revolution and the nation's founding history. Administered by the National Park Service, the park comprises much of the downtown historic...
. Added in 2009, SquareBurger is a new addition to the magnificent park providing an array of goodies like the Cake Shake. The Starr Restaurant Organization
Starr Restaurant Organization
The Starr Restaurant Organization is an organization of 19 restaurants headed by Stephen Starr featuring a variety of cuisines and atmospheres.Most of the restaurants are located in Philadelphia...
was hired to operate the new SquareBurger and to cater events and birthday parties at the park. Recent development around Franklin Square has included new housing in the Northern Liberties section of Philadelphia and the redevelopment of the shuttered Metropolitan Hospital as a condominium project. As a result, pedestrian traffic has increased dramatically. On May 20, 2009, Delaware River Port Authority
Delaware River Port Authority
The Delaware River Port Authority is a bi-state instrumentality created by a Congressionally approved interstate compact between the governments of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the State of New Jersey...
(DRPA) Chairman John Estey announced that the DRPA would renovate and modernize the PATCO Speedline subway station under Franklin Square. The Franklin Square
Franklin Square (PATCO station)
Franklin Square is an abandoned PATCO Speedline station located at Franklin Square in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States.The station first opened on June 7, 1936, along with 8th Street in Philadelphia and City Hall and Broadway in Camden, New Jersey, as part of Philadelphia Rapid Transit's...
station has been closed since 1979, but is now slated to be upgraded and made compliant with the Americans With Disabilities Act. No opening date has been set.
See also
- Franklin Square (PATCO station)Franklin Square (PATCO station)Franklin Square is an abandoned PATCO Speedline station located at Franklin Square in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States.The station first opened on June 7, 1936, along with 8th Street in Philadelphia and City Hall and Broadway in Camden, New Jersey, as part of Philadelphia Rapid Transit's...
- Once Upon A Nation
- Fairmount Park Commission, City of Philadelphia