Public Square

Welcome back to Public Square. In this secondary, highly focused exploration, we will direct our scholarly lens toward the northern and eastern perimeters of the plaza, uncovering the architectural gems and historical narratives…

Position yourself before the commanding presence of the Society for Savings building, an absolute triumph of late-nineteenth-century architectural design. Completed in eighteen ninety by the esteemed firm of Burnham and…

Step through the heavy doors and enter what was originally the main banking hall of the Society for Savings, a space currently functioning as a Key Bank lobby. It is vital to visit during working hours to experience what is…

While standing within the Society for Savings lobby, focus your analytical attention on the magnificent murals that adorn the upper walls. These masterpieces were executed by the artist Cora Holden, a notable figure in early…

Relocate to the open space of the square to examine the bronze statue of Mayor Tom L. Johnson. …

Observe the contemporary landscaping and spatial organization of Public Square. The space recently underwent a massive, multi-million-dollar refurbishment aimed at unifying the quadrants and making the area more…

As you stand in the center of the square, reflect upon an invisible, yet profoundly significant historical reality. This exact location served as the site for two of the most solemn and monumental events in American civic history. …

We conclude this focused architectural and historical inquiry into the northern and eastern facets of Public Square. You have successfully decoded the Richardsonian Romanesque fortress of the Society for Savings, marveled at the…