Madison Square

Madison Square is a 6 acre (24,000 m²) public park in New York City named after James Madison, fourth president of the United States and co-author of its constitution. The park is bounded by Madison Avenue, 23rd Street, 26th Street, Fifth Avenue, and a diagonal section of Broadway. It is close to the Flatiron Building, one of the oldest of the original New York skyscrapers, as well as the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company Tower at 1 Madison Avenue (1909), once the tallest building in the world.

Related Topics:
New York City - James Madison - United States - Madison Avenue - 23rd Street - Fifth Avenue - Broadway - Flatiron Building - Metropolitan Life Insurance Company Tower

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The square was made famous around the world by Madison Square Garden. The "garden" had nothing to do with flowers. It was a sports arena located near the square, at 26th Street and Madison Avenue, designed by the noted Beaux-Arts architect Stanford White. The square was once known as "Diana's little wooded park" in reference to the bronze statue of the Roman goddess atop the tower of White's arena. When the arena moved to a new building at 50th Street and Eighth Avenue in 1925 it kept its old name. (Madison Square Garden is now located at Eighth Avenue between 31st Street and 33rd Street).

Related Topics:
Madison Square Garden - Stanford White - Eighth Avenue - 1925

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Before becoming a national, and then an international celebrity because of sporting events Madison Square was an important gathering place for New Yorkers, at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century. From 1876 to 1882 the torch and the arm of the Statue of Liberty were exhibited there in an effort to raise funds for the building of the base of the statue.

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According to Nathan Silver's 1968 book Lost New York, there was a plan in the 1960s to build a parking garage underneath the park. Construction was successfully blocked by preservationists, who cited concerns of the damage that the excavation would cause to the park, particularly the roots of its many trees.

Related Topics:
Nathan Silver - 1968 - 1960s

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Madison Square Park is now an oasis of greenery and relaxation surrounded by historical landmarks.

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