Market Square, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Market Square
Neighborhood of Harrisburg
Market Square, as seen at night
Country  United States
State Pennsylvania
County Dauphin County
City Harrisburg
Area code(s) Area code 717
Designated February 25, 1953[1]

Harrisburg's Market Square is located in Downtown Harrisburg at the intersection of 2nd and Market Streets. The square was created in 1785. Since then, it has traditionally been the heart of the city, and since the 1980s has undergone a revival with several new commercial, residential and retail spaces either planned or built. It is one block from Riverfront Park and the Market Street Bridge, which crosses over the Susquehanna River.

History

John Harris, Jr. the founder of Harrisburg had his son-in-law, William Maclay, draw up a plan for the town in 1785. It allowed for 207 quarter-acre building lots aligned along streets set to a standard width of fifty-two feet, six inches.[2] Market Street, envisioned as the grand avenue of the new town, was planned at eighty feet wide. Where it intersected with Second Street, Maclay planned in ample setbacks to allow for a “Market Square,” which has remained a prominent feature of Harrisburg to this present day.[2]

Since the 1980s, open concerts performed by professional artists have taken place at Market Square.[3]

Coordinates: 40°15′35″N 76°52′55″W / 40.259628°N 76.881903°W / 40.259628; -76.881903

See also

References

  1. ↑ "PHMC Historical Markers Search" (Searchable database). Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Retrieved 2014-01-25.
  2. 1 2 Market Square, Harrisburg, PA George F. Nagle and Afrolumens Project, 2010. Retrieved 2011-01-28.
  3. ↑ Market Square Concerts Retrieved 2011-01-28.


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