Patch Picks: 5 Things about Easton's Centre Square

No one in Easton could miss it's iconic Centre Square. Here's five facts about it's colorful history.

Originally known as the “Great Square”, it was designed by William Parsons, who laid out Easton's streets, first surveyed in 1750, and made reality in 1752.

At that time, courts cases were heard in local taverns, but in 1765, Northampton County's first courthouse was built in the center of the square. On July 8, 1776, the third public announcement of the Declaration of Independence was read by Robert Levers on the steps of this courthouse. The building existed until 1861, when a new courthouse was built in Easton's West Ward, and the old Centre Square courthouse was demolished.

The square is home to the Easton Farmers' Market, which is the oldest continuously operating open-air farmers' market in the country. Dating back to at least 1752, the city's inception, the market opened this weekend for it's 259th season. It will run this year through November, and is open Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The 75-foot Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument, memorializing those killed in the Civil War was unveiled on May 10, 1900. The bugler on top is reputedly sculpted after drummer Francis Reed, Company H, 96th Pennsylvania Regiment. The fountain that now surrounds the monument was added decades later.

Since 1951, annually the monument is transformed in Easton's Peace Candle, and a city celebration of the holiday season is held the day after Thanksgiving. The monument traditionally remains a celebration of peace until shortly after New Year's Day.