Washington Square Arch is a large memorial square in Manhattan, New York City. It is the most significant feature of Washington Square Park, in Greenwich Village. The marks the southern end of Fifth Avenue.

Washington Square Arch was built in 1892 to commemorate the centennial of the inauguration of George Washington as the President of the United States in 1789. The arch was designed by architect Stanford White, and is in fact the second and more permanent memorial on the spot.

Washington Square ArchWashington Square Arch
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Central_Park_Nueva_York017.jpg
Author: Poco a poco
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Local businessman William Rhinelander Stewart had first built an arch of plaster and wood in 1889, the centennial year. He managed to raise funds for building that arch. It was so popular that a more permanent arch was built on the spot. During construction, a coffin was found on the site dating to 1803, a reminder that the area once served as a public burial ground. The two statues of George Washington were added to the arch in 1918.

Getting there

See details for going to Washington Square Park.

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