Newport Market Square
For over two centuries, the square has been the central business district, a major thoroughfare and a gathering place for parades, politicians and celebrations.
When the Paul Reider family surveyors designed what became Newport in the early 1800s, they obviously were inspired by the Philadelphia rectangular street plan and market square.
Newport Square in 1891.
In 1874 a fire broke out in the Gantt Hotel stable (named Central Hotel on this map) and burned much of the northeast quadrant of the town (upper left section on this map), even damaging the covered bridge over the Juniata River (not shown). Eleven businesses were destroyed. The hotel was rebuilt within months of the fire.
Junior Order United American Mechanics parade in Newport on July 4, 1910.
(looking Northeast)
During Christmas 1898, electric lights were turned on in hotels and businesses on the square for the first time and began to replace the town’s public gaslights. A Christmas tree has graced the square almost every December since 1914.
A 1919 World War I celebration and welcome home parade for the returning troops, with the Centennial building draped in banners. (Looking Southwest)
This early 19th century center square remains one of the largest and oldest urban squares in Central Pennsylvania.
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