Did you know that Washington Square Park is named after George Washington, the first President of the United States? The park was once marsh land located to what used to be an Indian village called "Sapokanikan." In the year 1797, the city's then common council bought the land to use as a potter's field and public executions. Do you see the elm trees in the park? Those tree's were once called the "Hangman's elms" because they were commonly used for executions.
Fun Facts: The Washington Square arch was designed by Stanford White, is constructed out of Tuckahoe marble. The arch is a triumphal monument meant to commemorate the George Washington's inauguration as the first President of the United States.