One of Philadelphia’s five original squares designed and laid out by William Penn, Franklin Square is located in the northeast corner of Center City, Philadelphia, across from the Constitution Center. Informational signage highlighted the 100 year old water fountain, the Parx Liberty Carousel, a Mini Golf course, and its historical significance in hiding French arms during the Revolutionary War.
The framework of each sign was based on the work of Samuel Yellin, an American master blacksmith, and metal designer who had a number of prominent works in the area around Franklin Square. The background of each sign was a graphic representation of Center City, Philadelphia. The four squares and the lower left circle represent the focal points of William Penn’s landmark plan for Philadelphia and are representative of the five public squares that remain popular hubs for local traffic, pedestrian and vehicular, today. The map on the right is the first advertised layout of Philadelphia in Thomas Holme’s “Portraiture of the City of Philadelphia.” (Courtesy Philadelphia Library Company).
Originally named “North East Publick Square,” the park was renamed in honor of Benjamin Franklin in 1825. Content of signage emphasizes such landmarks as
- The Franklin Square Fountain, built of marble in 1838 and surrounded by wrought iron fences.
- The storing facility for gunpowder during the American Revolution and given to the Continental Army by the French.
- A training and drilling area for soldiers during the War of 1812.
- Vicinity to Chinatown.
