Columbus Square (Providence) facts for kids
Columbus Square is a special public space in the old Elmwood Neighborhood of Providence, Rhode Island. You can find it where Elmwood Avenue and Reservoir Avenue meet. It's like a main entrance to Elmwood from the nearby Reservoir and West End areas.
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What is Columbus Square Like?
Columbus Square is a busy spot in the Elmwood Avenue shopping area. It's right next to the historic South Elmwood neighborhood.
Since June 2020, the square is a fenced-off triangle of land. Half of it is paved with bricks. There are about a dozen trees and a square granite slab. This slab is where a famous statue used to stand.
Around Columbus Square, you'll find different places. There are schools like Paul Cuffee Upper School and Sophia Academy. You can also see car dealerships, a drug store, a sandwich shop, and an electrical supply company.
History of the Square
This small, triangle-shaped piece of land has a long history. It was first owned by Joseph Cooke. He gave the land to the town of Cranston in 1824.
Later, in 1868, Cranston gave the land to the city of Providence. In 1893, it was given a new name: Columbus Park. This was to honor a bronze statue of Christopher Columbus that was put there. The statue was placed to celebrate 400 years since Columbus landed in the Americas.
The Columbus Statue
Columbus Square was well-known for its bronze statue. The statue was called Columbus. A French artist named Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi designed it. It was made from bronze in 1893 by the Gorham Manufacturing Company. This company was located nearby.
The statue of Christopher Columbus was a copy. The Gorham company had made a similar statue in silver for the Columbian World's Fair in Chicago in 1893. This statue is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was a public park statue managed by the City of Providence Parks Department.
Why the Statue Was Removed
In June 2020, the Columbus statue was taken down. The mayor, Jorge Elorza, ordered its removal. This decision was made because many statues were being removed across the United States. People in the neighborhood gathered to watch and cheer as it was taken away.
The city has not said where the statue is being kept. They also have not said what will happen to it in the future.
