Clinton Square

Clinton Square
Clinton Square in 2013
Location	Syracuse, New York
Coordinates	43°3′3″N 76°9′10″W / 43.05083°N 76.15278°W / 43.05083; -76.15278Coordinates: 43°3′3″N 76°9′10″W / 43.05083°N 76.15278°W / 43.05083; -76.15278
Area	.553 acres (0.00224 km2)
Established	1800
Governing body	City of Syracuse
Location of Clinton Square in the US

Clinton Square, in downtown Syracuse, New York, was the original town center and first came into existence in the early 19th century where roadways from north and south convened. By 1825, the construction of the Erie Canal further transformed the busy intersection into the center of commerce and trade in Central New York.

The canal was filled in during 1925 and was converted to Erie Boulevard, a major thoroughfare that runs east to west through the city. Today the square is a popular location for outdoor events and festivals in the city and is located on Erie Boulevard West and North Salina Street in downtown Syracuse.

Clinton Square is the historic center of downtown Syracuse, New York and was named in honor of 19th century politician, DeWitt Clinton who served two terms as Governor of New York State. During his tenure, Clinton was instrumental in the construction of the Erie Canal which ran through the center of the square.

The small park is bounded by West Genesee Street on the north, East Water Street to the south, South Salina Street on the east and South Clinton Street on the west. Erie Boulevard East meets Erie Boulevard West at the square; however, in 2001 traffic was rerouted around the park for the ice rink and reflecting pool.

The small square played a factor and influenced the formation of the "modern city" and was home to the first daily newspaper, first railroad, first business, first post office, first road, first water communication, first electric light, first automobile, first telephone, first market and first hotel.

It was the "marketing facilities" which made the square the nucleus of the city. In the early days the area was wooded, then cleared and bordered by a few buildings including the home of city founder, Joshua Forman, which was set back from Salina and Water streets "amid lawns and gardens" south of the square. Frame and brick buildings soon "crowded out" the early structures and brick buildings "coated with a yellow finish resembling whitewash" dominated the square.

Excavation began on the Onondaga County stretch of the canal in 1817 and was completed in 1825. In the early days, the canal was known as Clinton's Ditch and it split the square in half. The square was the heart of Downtown Syracuse. Its role as the city's business center grew after the Erie Canal was completed.