Market Square, Historical square in Providence, Rhode Island
Market Square is an open plaza in the center of Providence, Rhode Island, surrounded by buildings from different periods. The architecture shows a mix of older facades and newer elements that give the space its changing character.
The square gained particular importance in the early 19th century when the great September storm of 1815 struck the entire area. This event changed the cityscape and was captured by many artists who documented the aftermath of the storm.
The square takes its name from the old trading role it played for centuries, when residents and merchants met daily. Even now, you can sense that tradition as you walk through and watch people gather and move about.
The square sits centrally in the city and serves as a good starting point for exploring Providence on foot. From here, you can reach many other sights easily, as several streets lead away from the plaza in different directions.
A draftsman captured the condition of the square right after the great September storm of 1815, and that depiction was later used often by artists and historians. Such images show what the place looked like before it was rebuilt and offer a rare view of the atmosphere at that time.
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