The Evolution of the Circle in Easton Centre Square - Part 1

The evolution of the Circle in Centre Square is quite fascinating. Northampton County was formed in 1752 breaking off from Bucks County. It was about fourteen years later that a place to build a court house was chosen and a building erected. Thomas and Richard Penn, sons of William Penn, "gave" the land to the county in September 1763. The Penns, for the use of the land, asked for a yearly rental that amounted to one red rose or value thereof in coin and to be paid on the first day of each March. Stipulations were it was solely for the erection of a court house and for public use and service. The first Court House was built between 1763 and 1766 on the circle at the cost of $4,589.67. On March 1, 1766 the first court was held in the new building. On August 9, 1768, a bell that was cast by Mathias Tommerop in Bethlehem Pa, was placed in the belfry. It remained there until the "new" Court House was erected on Walnut St. Most memorable was  the reading of the Declaration of Independence on the steps of the Court House on July 8th, 1776. The first court house remained in the Circle on Centre Square through the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812 and the beginning of the Civil War. In 1854, County Commissioners decided they needed a new and larger Court House and by 1859 the new court house was approved. In 1861 the old court house building was sold to John Maxwell who purchased it for its salvage value. ($56.00) By May of 1862 the demolition was completed. Although few artifacts remain of this building, one is a large circular window that is housed at the Northampton County Historical and Genealogical Society.

Published in the Philadelphia Monthly Magazine in Sept. 1798

After the razing of the building, the Circle at Centre Square was graded and maple trees were planted.

After court house was demolished but before fountain was put in

By 1870 a very ornate fountain was ordered from Philadelphia and placed in the circle. Years later in 1899 it was moved to Nevin Park on College Hill to make room for the Soldiers and Sailors Monument that still remains today.

Soldiers and Sailors Monument

In 1895 J. P. Cornell presented plans for a memorial monument to the local G.A.R. After raising the funds they finally accepted a bid from the Eagle Granite Company in Reading, PA. By December 6, 1899 a ceremony was held and in the base of the monument, a copper box containing a history of the 129th PVI, militia rolls, and a copy of a history of Easton was placed into the cornerstone. Soon after the 75 foot, 400 ton granite monument was placed on the base. With much fanfare, the monument was dedicated on May 10, 1900.


 From the time of the demolition of the Court House to the erection of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, there were many events or near events happening in the circle. The Market was a constant with farmers and merchants bringing fruits, vegetables, and wares to sell. They used the old market house, temporary tables or their own carriages. A public drinking fountain arrived  in 1887, the granite shipped from Vermont. The first day of use was August 20, 1887 where Peter S. Hulsizer had the pleasure of taking the first drink. The fountain had an urn on the top and Hiram Kleinshans, a gardener, donated the lilies and flowers planted in it.

In 1888 Thomas Penn's descendants brought up a suit, believing they were the owners of the Circle at Centre Square. After a few years it was declared the county owned it. In 1891, Rev. Condit (author of The History of Easton ) proposed to erect a monument of William Parson at the circle for all he did for Easton (Parsons was buried in the German Reformed Cemetery,what is now the Easton Area Public Library. His remains and tribute are still on the grounds.)

From 1766 to 1900 there was always something happening in the Circle, 134 years filled with trials, law, food, drink, beauty, and patriotism.