Located in the heart of Historic Philadelphia, Franklin Square is an important element of the past and present of the city. With a history that stretches back to the founding of the city as well as contemporary attractions and activities, Franklin Square highlights what it can mean for a public space to become a favorite spot for both residents and visitors.
From William Penn to Benjamin Franklin to Modern Philadelphia
Franklin Square is one of the five original open-space parks planned by William Penn when he laid out the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1682. Penn included this piece of green space in his original city plan as one of five squares, although the park was slow to develop because it was a marshy land. Originally, the park was a place for settlers to meditate and set a proper example. The Park was supposed to be landscaped to have settlers understand the value of nature.
Penn’s five public squares — Logan, Rittenhouse, Franklin, Washington and Centre — remain recognizable landmarks within the city, having served an array of purposes as they evolved from unkempt fields. Originally named “North East Publick Square,” the park was renamed in honor of Benjamin Franklin in 1825 who is fabled to have conducted his famous experiment involving the use of a kite and key in the discovery of electricity while in the Square.
The Franklin Square Fountain was built in 1838 following Philadelphia City Council’s resolution calling for a fountain of “grand dimensions.” It was the centerpiece of the Square in the late 19th century. It has been renovated several times since then and is the oldest refurbished and functioning public water fountain in the United States. It is also the longest-surviving fountain in William Penn’s original five squares and has become a highlight of the Franklin Square experience since its most recent renovation.
In the 1920s, the park was abandoned and the surrounding area became known locally as the “tenderloin.” Taverns and bordellos dominated the space, which saw it become a place for the homeless to sleep. By 2003, Historic Philadelphia, Inc. moved forward with plans to reinvigorate the park and attract tourists which in turn helped the park back to its originality. Both residents and tourists can now enjoy the renovated park, family-friendly attractions, and the surrounding nature.
This history is directly associated with the modern attractions, special events, and public green space that are not featured in Franklin Square and are in line with how William Penn wanted the park to be experienced.
Events and Attractions
The powerful heritage of Franklin Square is on display in numerous ways, which ranges from a memorial to the historic burial grounds of the Old First German Reformed Church to the park benches that have been dedicated in different people’s names. Like other spaces that utilize memorials as a direct source of revenue, Franklin Square has been able to provide the community with a direct means to represent individuals as well as the culture and history of the area.
In addition to the fountain, Franklin Square features the Parx Liberty Carousel, the Philly Mini Golf course and SquareBurger. These features allow people to putt through some of the city’s most famous icons, take a ride on hometown racehorse heroes Afleet Alex or Smarty Jones aboard the carousel, enjoy a rest next to the refreshing fountain, and dine on the finest burgers and shakes in town.
Updates the Franklin Square Fountain have allowed it to feature a dynamic state-of-the-art Fountain Show containing dancing water effects and colored lights choreographed to music. After dusk, fountain performances are enhanced with synchronized colored illuminations.
From the second week of November through New Year’s Eve, the free Electrical Spectacle Holiday Light Show presented by PECO is an influential holiday event in Franklin Square. More than 50,000 lights shimmer, dance, and illuminate the Square to a soundtrack of holiday classics, some of which are performed by The Philly POPS in two alternating shows every 30 minutes.
Events like the Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival have proven to be an essential way to engage with the surrounding communities. Franklin Square’s cultural experience of larger-than-life illuminated sculptures, authentic performances, and one-of-a-kind photo opportunities feature “a majestical, pop-up paradise of eye-catching sites.”
Franklin Square has become an ideal location to host children’s birthday parties, lively corporate outings, elegant weddings, and more. These types of events enable a direct source of revenue while also priding residents with a way to connect with one another and give visitors a reason to visit the area. A can be seen in their brochure, there are events of all types happening all the time in the space
Temporary and permanent attractions along with direct connections to the history and community have allowed Franklin Square to create a legacy that has shaped the area in a powerful way. The positive impact of doing so can be seen in the present and future of Philadelphia as a whole.
The Power of Transformation
In going from a place for settlers to meditate to an encampment site for the homeless to being transformed into a modern park appreciated by residents, Franklin Square stands as a testament to Philadelphia’s regeneration. Visitors can enjoy a tasty meal at SquareBurger as easily as they can celebrate special events or just enjoy the beautiful setting of Franklin Square, all of which demonstrate what’s possible when public spaces capture the spirit and history of an entire community.
