Logan Square
| Logan Square | |
|---|---|
| Type | Urban square / Traffic circle |
| Location | Center City, Philadelphia |
| Coordinates | 39.9578,-75.1710 |
| Area | 4 acres |
| Established | 1683 (planned); 1920s (redesigned) |
| Operated by | Philadelphia Parks & Recreation |
| Features | Swann Memorial Fountain, Shakespeare Memorial, museums nearby |
| Transit | SEPTA bus routes; near Suburban Station |
| Website | Official Site |
Logan Square (officially Logan Circle) is one of William Penn's original five public squares in Philadelphia, dramatically reimagined in the 1920s as a grand traffic circle anchoring the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The square is dominated by the spectacular Swann Memorial Fountain and serves as the gateway to the city's "Museum Mile."[1]
Unlike the other Penn squares, which remain quiet neighborhood parks, Logan Square was transformed into a monumental civic space befitting its position on Philadelphia's grand ceremonial boulevard.
History
Original Square
Originally called "Northwest Square" in Penn's 1682 plan, the space was renamed in 1825 for James Logan, William Penn's secretary and a prominent colonial leader. For its first two centuries, Logan Square was a typical neighborhood park surrounded by residential streets.
Benjamin Franklin Parkway
The transformation of Logan Square began with the construction of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in the 1910s-1920s. Modeled on the Champs-Élysées in Paris, the parkway was designed as a diagonal boulevard connecting City Hall to the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Logan Square was redesigned as a monumental traffic circle to serve as the parkway's focal point. The Swann Memorial Fountain, designed by Alexander Stirling Calder, was installed in 1924.
Swann Memorial Fountain
The Swann Memorial Fountain (also called the Fountain of Three Rivers) is Philadelphia's most famous fountain:
Design
- Sculptor: Alexander Stirling Calder (father of mobile artist Alexander Calder)
- Installed: 1924
- Named for: Dr. Wilson Cary Swann, founder of the Philadelphia Fountain Society
Symbolism
The fountain depicts three Native American figures representing the three major waterways of the Philadelphia region:
- Delaware River — Male figure with a swan
- Schuylkill River — Female figure with a swan
- Wissahickon Creek — Female figure
Water jets spray dramatically from multiple points, with the central geyser reaching considerable height.
Visiting
- The fountain operates seasonally (spring through fall)
- Spectacular when illuminated at night
- Views from all sides around the traffic circle
- Benches on the surrounding plaza
Surrounding Area
Benjamin Franklin Parkway Museums
Logan Square anchors "Museum Mile":
- Academy of Natural Sciences — On the square
- Franklin Institute — Adjacent to the square
- Barnes Foundation — Along the parkway
- Rodin Museum — Along the parkway
- Philadelphia Museum of Art — Terminates the parkway
Other Notable Sites
- Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul — Roman Catholic cathedral on the square
- Free Library of Philadelphia — Central branch on the parkway
- Sister Cities Park — Adjacent family-friendly park
- Shakespeare Memorial — Hamlet and Touchstone statues
Shakespeare Memorial
The Shakespeare Memorial in Logan Square features:
- Bronze statue of Hamlet
- Bronze statue of Touchstone (fool from As You Like It)
- Part of the Association for Public Art collection
Sister Cities Park
Adjacent to Logan Square, Sister Cities Park offers family-friendly amenities:
- Children's playground
- Café
- Boat pond
- Interactive fountain
- Quiet garden spaces
The park celebrates Philadelphia's sister city relationships with cities worldwide.
Visiting
Getting There
Location: Benjamin Franklin Parkway at 19th Street
By Public Transit:
- Walk from Suburban Station
- SEPTA buses along the parkway
- Short walk from 30th Street Station
By Car:
- Traffic circle can be busy
- Nearby parking garages
- Limited street parking
Tips
- Visit the fountain at night when illuminated
- Combine with museum visits along the parkway
- Sister Cities Park is great for families
- The fountain doesn't operate in winter
See Also
- Rittenhouse Square
- Washington Square
- Franklin Square
- Penn's Five Squares
- Benjamin Franklin Parkway
- Philadelphia Museum of Art
References
- ↑ "Logan Square". Visit Philadelphia. Retrieved December 30, 2025