Hanover Square (Manhattan)

Hanover Square is a square with a public park in the Financial District, Lower Manhattan, New York City. It is triangular in shape, bordered by Pearl Street, Stone Street (which is now pedestrian-only) and a street named Hanover Square. Most surrounding buildings are primarily commercial.

Looking east.
Looking north.

The square's pocket park is maintained by the New York City Department of Parks, and has an area of 0.056 acres (0.023 ha) or 2,440 square feet (227 m2).[1]

History

The square was known by its current name as early as 1730, during the period of British colonialism. In 1714, it was named for the House of Hanover, when King George I ascended to the throne.[2] The Queen Elizabeth II Garden (formerly named the British Garden at Hanover Square) was opened in June 2008. A memorial park for those victims of September 11 who were citizens of any Commonwealth realm (i.e., Britain, Canada, Australia, etc.) it was given its broader designation on September 11, 2011. In July 2010, Queen Elizabeth II visited Hanover Square after laying a wreath at the World Trade Center site and meeting with families of the British victims.[3]

For many years, Hanover Square was the center of New York's commodity market, with the New York Cotton Exchange at 1 Hanover Square, New York Cocoa Exchange (now the New York Board of Trade) and others located nearby. The square was also known as "Printing House Square," and it was here that the Great Fire of New York broke out on December 16, 1835, decimating much of Lower Manhattan.[4] 3 Hanover Square, a former home to the New York Cotton Exchange, and 10 Hanover Square, a former office building, have been converted to residential use.

Transportation

The IRT Third Avenue Line elevated railway had a station above the square from 1878 until 1950, when it was deactivated and later dismantled.

The fourth stage of the Second Avenue Subway is slated to extend subway service to Hanover Square.[5] Today, the nearest New York City Subway stations are:[6]

References
  1. "The Queen Elizabeth II September 11th Garden Highlights : NYC Parks". www.nycgovparks.org. Retrieved 11 April 2018.
  2. Michelle and James Nevius, "A Brief History of Hanover Square", Inside the Apple (July 7 2010) Retrieved 7 July 2010.
  3. The queen came to the United States after her royal tour of Canada. Queen plans UN speech, then ground zero ceremony, Retrieved 6 July 2010.
  4. Nevius, Michelle; Nevius, James (2009). Inside the Apple: A Streetwise History of New York City. Free Press. pp. 70–71. ISBN 1-4165-8997-X.
  5. MTA map of future 2nd Avenue Line
  6. "Subway Map" (PDF). Metropolitan Transportation Authority. October 21, 2019. Retrieved January 18, 2018.

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