Franklin Square

Franklin Square was a public plaza in Manhattan situated where Pearl and Dover Streets met, connecting multiple thoroughfares in lower Manhattan. The location was later transformed by the construction of residential buildings and infrastructure that replaced the original open space.

The square emerged during Manhattan's early expansion and initially housed Walter Franklin's residence, which served briefly as George Washington's home during his first presidential year. The property was demolished in the mid-1800s as the city continued to develop and reshape its lower neighborhoods.

The location hosted publishing and printing operations that shaped Manhattan's literary scene throughout the 19th century. Visitors walking through the area today can trace how this corner of the city served as a hub for those who created and distributed books.

The original plaza no longer exists as a public space, having been replaced by modern buildings and infrastructure in this densely developed area. Visitors interested in exploring its past can focus on nearby streets and structures that preserve traces of the location's former role in the city.

An elevated train line called the Third Avenue El operated above this spot, with a station positioned directly over the square that made it a major transit hub. Both the rail station and the plaza disappeared around the middle of the twentieth century, fundamentally changing the character of this part of Manhattan.