History of Washington Square Park

Washington Square Park was name after one of America's great leaders, George Washington. The park was used for many things before becoming a public park. The history of the park dates back to the Native American Lenape tribe, which caught trout in the Minetta stream running through the area. After this, the land was used as a trading post. Then the park was used as a "potter's field," or public burial ground where New Yorkers who couldn't afford any other ceremonial rituals were buried. Also, people who lost their lives to sicknesses--mainly yellow fever--were buried in the park. About 20,000 bodies remain under Washington Square Park today. In 1797, public executions were held in that space. There is a tree called Hangman's Elm in the park because of many superstitions of people being hung by the tree,

Hangman's Elm 

yet the only record of a hanging was a young women named Rose Butler, who was punished for arson but was strung up on a gallows across the street. Following that, in 1826, it was used as military parade grounds. Soon after, a residential area grew around the park.