Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1853-05-14
NUMBER 16.

IS triangular area, of about 1o3 acres, lying be-
tweene Broadway, Chatham and Chambers streets.
L is handsomely laid outNith walks, planted with
trees, and surrounded by a fine iron fence, at an
expense Of 9l5,653. Il contains the City Hall.
Hall Of Records, Rotunda new City Hall Tor old
Aims house) and several edifces devoted to pub
lie uses.
1t has also, towards its southern part, public
fountain. within a basin, about one hundred feet
in diameter, which has variety of jets, which are
occasionally changed. When the Aater is thrown
in single stream il ascends to the height of about
10 feet presenting majestic and interesting APP
Pearance
Previous to 1880 the Park or Commons vas
beyond the limits of the city. There Military
drills were performed; and twas here that the
ffst brigade Of the American army was drawn up
to hear the Declaration of Independence read on
the evening Of July 9th l776.
The angle whereon the Park Theatre stood, be-
longed originally to the Park. That corner Of the
square was once called the Governors Garden.
III reference to such an intended use Of it.
81. Johns Park, formerly Hudsons square, is
a beautiful establishment of New York, redeem
ed from Il former waste, once sand beach. The
large growth of the trees and the abundance of
grateful shade, make it, in connection with the SUI
pcr;ority Of The uniform houses which surround it.
a place of imposing grandeur. The continuous
long lines Of iron palisades both round the square
and before Che areas of every house, and up the
several door-steps, give it a peculiar aspect Of
European style and magnifcence. The iron rail-
ing enclosure was placed there in 1828, by those
residing in the vicinity Some idea may be form
ed of the changes time has wrought in this sec
ton of The ely. from the following:
By reference to he minutes Of one of the first
charehes in the city it seems that some well-dis-
posed person offered to the Trustees of the church.
present of plot of ground containing about six
acres near the head of Canal street and Broad
way. The Trustees passed resolution however,
chat it inexpedent to accept the gift, mas
much as the land was not worth fencing in"
Washington square, another great and most eff
fective ornament to the city, was formed by laying
field, or public burying ground. The bones were
collected in large trench, one on each side of the
square, which were enclosed with fences, and
pianted with trees. Ii was used for burial purpo-
ses many years, and it is competed that a
hundred thousand bodies have been buried where
now assemble for pleasure multitudes Of living
beings. The square is surrounded with splendid
private dwellings, and one side is the UNIVERSE
" building and splendid church. The square
contains a little over nine acres.
Union Park is an oval enclosure, situated on
Broadway, between 18th and l7th streets. 1t is
enclosed with au iron fence, Of great beauty and
cost. The ground has been regularly laid out and
trees planted Ia The centre of the park is a
beautiful fountain with ornamental jets. The
dwellings, surrounding tie park, and in It's vicinity
are all of the first class, and it is deemed as one
of the most fashionable portions of the city.
Tompkins square, containing more than ten
acres between avenues A and B, and 18th and
10Th streets, is now used for the exhibition of mill
tary tactics, but the trees have not yet sufficiently
grown to render it desirable promenade. This
portion of the city is now being rapidly settled,
and Tompkns square, one of the largest enclos-
ures on the lower part of the island, will doubt
less in a few years, become place of frequentre-
sort.
! Grdmercy Park, between the Sd and 4th ave-
nues, and Goth and 21st Streets is 400 feet long
and 1874 wide. It is private park belonging to
the proprietors of the sixty adjacent lots. having
been gratuitously presented to them in the year
1881, by Samuel B. Ruggles Esq, to whom this
portion of the city is greatly indebted for its set
Element and beauty. The trees and shrubbery
were planted about twelve years since, under the
direction CT Charles A. Davis. Esq, and Their
beauty and variety reflect much credit on his judg
ment and taste. An elegant fountain erected al
0 a cost Of about $1,000, adorns the park. Each
of the surrounding house owners, pay $40 annu
ally, for the purpose of improving the park, and
keeping it in order.
: Stuyyesant Square, which lies in. front of The
new St. Georges church, is between Fifteenth
. and Seventeenth streets. The second avenue
: passes through its centre, making it in fact twc
e separated squares.
e In the portion directly in front of the church is
y fountain. The square is tastefully laid out, anC
IS planted with trees. sbrubbery and towering herbs
y The ground was presented to the corporation b.
n the late Peter G. Stuyresant, on condition that
), should be enclosed in strong iron railing Thi
n condition has been complied with; and around thi
h square a large number of elegant dwelling house
:, have been erected.
c Madison Square, recently laid out IS bounds
Il by Fifth and Madison avenues and Twenty thir
il 3 set,Faatr II hoe hear, la;1 -