Hanover Square

Hanover Square (1936).  Originally known as Printing House Square, its name was later changed in honor of the House of Hanover, to which King George I belonged.  After being destroyed in the Great Fire of 1835, which started just about a block north of the square, it was rebuilt as a commercial and financial center, becoming the heart of the commodities trade.  From 1878 to 1950, the IRT Third Avenue Line (the Third Avenue “El”) had an express station located above the square.  It was dedicated as a park in 1951, following the demolition of the “El.”