QUESTION #1: To what does the “union” in “Union Square” refer?
Although there were rallies for both the Union Army and the labor union movement held in the park, they didn’t give the park its name.
According to the New York City Parks Department, “The park owes its name to its location at the intersection — or union — of two major roads in New York City, Bloomingdale Road (now Broadway) and Bowery Road (now Fourth Avenue). When the Commissioner’s Plan, the famous gridiron of Manhattan streets and avenues, was projected in 1807, the former potter’s field at this intersection was designated as Union Place. The site was authorized by the State Legislature as a public place in 1831 and acquired by the City of New York in 1833.”
For more information about the history of the park, see
http://www.nycgovparks.org/subyourpark/historicalsigns/hshistorical_sign.php?id=6533
This week’s winner is Kayla Greenspan. Congratulations! Your prize, a $25 gift card from Trader Joe’s, will be waiting for you at the U-Hall front desk later this week..
Check THE COMMON ROOM for a new question on Sunday!