Four Corners (Newark) facts for kids
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Four Corners Historic District
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Looking south at Market and Broad with gold-domed Newark City Hall in distance
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 Location in Essex County, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
Location in the United States
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| Location | Roughly bounded by Raymond Boulevard, Mulberry, Hill, and Washington Streets. |
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| Area | 85 acres (34 ha) |
| Architectural style | Renaissance, Italianate, 19th and 20th-century eclectic |
| NRHP reference No. | 00001061 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | September 8, 2000 |
The Four Corners is a famous spot in Newark, New Jersey. It's where Broad Street and Market Street meet. This intersection is super important! It was the very first place people settled in Newark. For a while, it was even called the busiest intersection in the whole United States! The area around Four Corners, about 22 city blocks, is so special that it's protected as a historic district. This means it's recognized by both New Jersey and the United States government for its history.
This crossing became the center of Newark soon after the city was founded in 1666. The home of Robert Treat, who helped start Newark, was right at the southwest corner. For hundreds of years, this spot stayed the main focus as the city grew bigger.
In the early 1900s, Newark expanded a lot. The Four Corners area became the city's modern business center. The first skyscraper in Newark was built here in 1910. It was the Firemen's Insurance Company building. Even today, the Four Corners district is Newark's traditional heart for shops and businesses. Since the late 2000s, there's been a lot of effort to bring more stores, homes, and restaurants back to downtown.
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Broad and Market Streets: A Busy Crossroads
The names Broad and Market are common for streets in old colonial cities. You can find them in places like Paterson and Trenton in New Jersey, and even in Philadelphia.
In Newark, Broad Street is a very wide road. It goes north towards Military Park and the Broad Street Station. To the south, it passes Government Center and Symphony Hall.
Market Street goes east towards Gateway Center and Newark Penn Station. To the west, you'll find the Essex County Courthouse and university campuses.
This intersection has always been very busy. In 1915, a company called Public Service counted over 280,000 people crossing the street in just one day! Eleven years later, in 1926, a check showed thousands of trolleys, buses, taxis, and cars passing through. From 1925 to 1939, a tall traffic control tower, about 24 feet high, stood right in the middle of the intersection to help direct all that traffic.
Four Corners: A Special Historic District
The Four Corners Historic District is one of seven special historic areas in Newark. It covers about 85 acres. This district includes many buildings that are also listed on national and state historic registers.
This area is very important for Newark's future. It connects many city attractions, homes, schools, and businesses. In 2010, the city made rules to help restore the old buildings. They wanted to make sure new signs looked good and fit the historic style.
Northwest Quadrant: Prudential and Shopping History
The northwest part of the district has been home to Prudential Headquarters since the company started. Three buildings built by Prudential, including the Gibraltar Building, are here. You can also find the original main store of the famous department store Bamberger's.
Northeast Quadrant: Tall Buildings and Parks
The city's two tallest buildings are in the northeast part. These are the National Newark Building, which has a classic design, and the Art Deco style Eleven 80. This area is also close to the historic Military Park.
Southeast Quadrant: Churches and New Developments
The southeast part of the district has many important buildings. These include the Kinney Building, the Old First Presbyterian Church, and the First National State Bank Building. You'll also find Newark City Hall and the historic Grace Church. The Prudential Center, a large arena, is also nearby. A new hotel and shops have been built here. Some old buildings in this area have been turned into new homes.
Southwest Quadrant: Teachers Village and New Homes
The southwest part of the historic district is home to Teachers Village. Since the 2010s, this neighborhood has been getting a lot of new life. Many new buildings and renovations are happening here. These include buildings with both homes and shops, like the William Flats. There are also plans for even taller buildings, like the 19-story Vibe and the 40-story Halo. New restaurants, shops, and a bank are opening. An IHOP restaurant with apartments above it is also being built.
Four Corners Millennium Project: A Look to the Future
In December 2012, the city council approved plans for more improvements in the district. These plans would extend the neighborhood to Market Street. They would turn old business buildings into new homes and shops. A similar idea has been suggested for the old Newark Paramount movie theater. In January 2014, the Four Corners Millennium Project received $52 million in grants from the state of New Jersey. This money helps make these exciting changes happen.
See also
In Spanish: Four Corners (Newark) para niños
