What's The Square Route Of Broadway?
Name all 12 squares aligned along Broadway.
What's the Square Route of Broadway?
Think you know your way around town? What’s the square route of Broadway? Try to name all 12 squares along Broadway in Manhattan – from Battery Park to Spuyten Duyvil.
1. Steve Flanders Square
At Broadway and Murray Street, at an entrance to City Hall park, is the most recent and smallest square on Broadway – Steve Flanders. Mr. Flanders was a New York journalist who covered adjacent City Hall. Starting his career at the Herald Tribune, he then moved to ABC News, NBC, and finally to WBCS as an on-air political commentator. Mr. Flanders, on his way to City Hall, suffered a fatal heart attack at the site.
2. Union Square
The first officially created square in Manhattan is (2) Union at 14th street. Usually associated with union activity and parades, Union Square was actually so named because it was the point at which Broadway and the other major road of the 1800s, the Bowery, formed a union. Originally the center for the entertainment industry, with hotels, boarding houses, offices, and theaters bordering the square, it later became a retail center. It is probably best known today for its farmers’ market on the weekend.
3. Madison Square
Madison Square was named after the Madison Cottage, and probably after President James Madison, a tavern and popular travel stop along Broadway. Originally used as a regimental training ground but has since become associated with famous buildings: the original Madison Square Gardens, the Met Life building, and at the southeast corner, arguably the most unusual building and first skyscraper built in Manhattan – the Flatiron Building.
4. General Worth Square
Tucked away at 25th and Broadway is General Worth Square. Although Worth Street is a more recognizable reminder, it is here where the General is interned. His military career was made during the War of 1812 and culminated as commandeer of the U.S. Military Academy. Another highlight of his career was being placed under arrest by his superior for outrageous and egotistical behavior. His monument stands alone on his square.
5. Greeley Square
Horace Greeley was the Founder of the New York Tribune, originator of the advice – Go West, abolitionist, champion of Senator Abe Lincoln, one of the founders of the Republican Party, and the namesake for Greeley Square at 33rd and Broadway. His advice – Go West – referred to a series of editorials he published that encouraged tradesmen to flee New York City at a time of dire unemployment.
6. Herald Square
Herald Square, at 34th street, was named for the Herald building that stood at the intersection of Broadway and Sixth Avenue. The Herald Building has been taken down but the monument erected since includes the statues of Minerva and the Bell Ringers, all of whom were originally atop the north side of the building. Herald Square was from its earliest development a retailing center with stores like Saks, Gimbels, Macys and the original Tiffany clustered around the area. Now only Macy’s remains.
7. Times Square
Times Square was originally an area that catered to the carriage trade, literally. Carriage companies, leather works, and blacksmiths populated the area. At the turn of the 20th century, the area was known as Long Acre Square, so named after a square in London that provided similar services. It was renamed Times Square for the New York Times building, at 42nd and Broadway that officially opened on December 31, 1904 with a fireworks display. New Year’s Eve festivities can be traced to that celebration.
8. Duffy Square
Duffy Square, like many other squares in Manhattan, was dedicated to a participant in World War I – Father Francis P. Duffy – Chaplain to the “Fighting 69th.” Finn Square, for instance, was dedicated to Philip Finn, another member of the Fighting 69th. Donnellon and Martin Squares were also named after World War I heroes. Father Duffy distinguished himself by seeing service in the Spanish American War and World War I. He is probably best known today as the site for discount theater TKTS.
9. Lincoln Square
Lincoln Square, at 66th and Broadway, was thought to be originally named for a theater that stood on the site. The theater was possibly named for the seventeenth president – a welcome visitor and speaker in New Your City before and after his election. The square has become less visible when it was integrated into the 66th Street - Lincoln Center subway station.
10. Sherman Square
Sherman Square, at 70th and 71st and Broadway, was named for the Civil War’s General Sherman. In addition to such noteworthy accomplishments as his March to the Sea and burning of Atlanta, General Sherman was a West Point graduate, businessman and lawyer. The square was dedicated to him because of its proximity to his New York residence, where he died. His statue, originally on his square, is now on the Grand Army Plaza in front of the Plaza Hotel.
11. Verdi Square
Verdi Square, at 72nd and Broadway, was dedicated to the 19th century Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi. A statue, so situated to permit the composer a view of Lincoln Center, now graces the site in all four seasons.
12. Mitchel Square
And lastly, not the least interesting of squares is Mitchel Square at 166th and Broadway, dedicated to New York City mayor - John Purroy Mitchel. He distinguished his office when he appointed the first woman commissioner – Katerine Bement Davis of the Corrections department. Mayor Mitchel served one term, some thought due to his snobbishness. At the height World War I, he enlisted in the Aviation Corps. While training in Lake Charles, Louisiana, he fell out of his plane mid-flight to his death due to not securing his seat belt.
Besides those on Broadway, other squares reflect historical or military designations. Chatham, in Chinatown, for the former British Prime Minister, William Pitt, Earl of Chatham. Chatham Square is also known as Kim Lau Square for the World War II pilot. Tompkins Square, in the east village commemorates the fourth Governor of New York and Vice President under Van Buren, Daniel D. Tompkins. And of course, Washington Square.
Lesser known squares require street savvy and are more representative of the ethnic mix of the city. A. Philip Randolph, at the intersection of St Nicholas Avenue and Adam Clayton Powell Blvd., honors the founder of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters. Peretz Square, at Houston and Avenue A, is named for the Yiddish author and essayist.
How many, besides the obvious ones, did you know? If you knew of more than 6, I’d say you are a street savvy New Yorker!
Become a Community Contributor.
