Phyllis ODonnell Pet Portraits

INTERESTING CENTRE SQUARE TIDBITS

• 1902: Congressman Mutchler went to Washington DC to propose that the Circle in Centre Square be the site for a “Public Building”. He suggested that the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ monument be moved to the courthouse property so that it would be adjacent to both the county and newly bought City Hall. There was a vigorous protest against its removal by veterans, G.A.R. posts, businessmen and professionals. By November 21 the county Commissioners decided the monument would remain in the Circle. • 1906: A petition was filed in February by the Merchants Association of Easton and Phillipsburg to abolish the Circle Market claiming the manner in which the market was conducted was an imposition on the merchants because “a large number of hucksters” monopolized the market “for the purpose of selling articles of merchandise which they themselves purchased for sale at this place”. The petition also noted that some of these “hucksters” were non-residents and their sales increased the taxes paid by the merchants as they were taxed upon the amount of business done. The Market continued, but with a new resolution. • 1921: In June, Albert F. Heck, Easton City Councilman, won his long battle for a Comfort Station to be put below ground in the circle. Underground comfort stations in town squares in Pennsylvania were common practice at this time. In the Lafayette College library you can find The Design of a Public Comfort Station for Center Square, Easton, Pa., the thesis paper of Lafayette student William Richardson. • 1945: On August 14, thousands of people joined in Centre Square to celebrate the end of WWII causing the police to close main streets. As per the Easton Express, August 15, 1945, “The Greatest Mass Celebration Since World War I Greets Victory News In Easton Area; Thousands and thousands of Eastonians and residents nearby poured into the downtown section jamming the district about Center Square so that police had to close main streets to traffic throughout the evening.” • 1951: The very first Peace Candle was lit. The candle was made of wood and plaster and placed over the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument. • 2002: The Fallen Firefighters’ Memorial in Centre Square was dedicated on June 1. Sixth graders had raised $3,800 to erect the monument after having been inspired by the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Inscribed on the monument: With appreciation and gratitude, this memorial is dedicated to Easton’s bravest - our firefighters - who risk their lives everyday to protect the citizens of out community. This memorial will always stand as our firefighters stand - brave and with dignity.” The bottom reads: “From the children of Easton Middle School May 31, 2002”.

Presently, Centre Square is under construction for the next few months. Both the park and the roadway are being upgraded. Prior to the start of construction, The Two-Way Ring Road Conversion Project changed Ferry, Spring Garden, and 2nd Streets to two-way roads. The circle within Centre Square is being extended ten feet. The previous two lanes of traffic will be reduced to a single lane and will be repaved and painted with new pavement markings. In addition, there will no longer be curbs; everything will be one level and ADA accessible. This is the first time in 60 years that the circle park has been renovated, according to Mayor Sal Panto. The mayor is especially excited about one particular historic addition; around the edge of the fountain will be the beginning of the words of the Declaration of Independence to recognize the significance of the pubic reading in 1776. Improvements will also be made to the quadrants, sidewalks and curb ramps, and traffic signals will also be upgraded. The city is looking for opportunities to add public bathrooms with attendants in the future.

It’s hard to believe that 270 years later, the “Great Square” still serves as the “center” of the historic City of Easton. Here’s to an indefinite future of celebrations, festivals, music and community connections in Easton’s Centre Square…the Great Square!

“That men do not learn very much from the lessons of history is the most important lesson of all the lessons that history has to teach.” -Aldous Huxley