McPherson Square facts for kids
McPherson Square is a public park located in the heart of downtown Washington, D.C.. It is surrounded by K Street NW to the north, Vermont Avenue NW to the east, I Street NW to the south, and 15th Street NW to the west. This square is just one block northeast of Lafayette Park and is easily reached by the McPherson Square station on the Washington Metro subway system.
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The History of McPherson Square
This park-like area is named after James B. McPherson, an important general who fought for the Union Army during the American Civil War. He was sadly killed in the Battle of Atlanta.
The General's Statue
To honor General McPherson, a special statue was placed in the square. This type of statue, where a person is shown riding a horse, is called an equestrian statue. It was put up on October 18, 1876. The statue shows General McPherson looking over a battlefield. It was created by an artist named Louis Rebisso and was even made from a captured cannon! The statue stands on a strong granite base.
A Busy City Spot
McPherson Square is in a very busy part of downtown Washington, D.C., where many businesses and offices are located. During the day, you'll often see people who work nearby, as well as street vendors selling different things. In the evenings, people going to restaurants might pass through.
The square is also very close to the White House, which is the home of the U.S. President. Because of this, McPherson Square is often a place where people gather for political rallies or where protest marches pass by. Nearby buildings include the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Lafayette Building.
Recent Events
In 2011, a group called Occupy D.C. set up a camp in McPherson Square. They stayed there for several months to protest different issues. However, in February 2012, police officers asked them to leave because of rules against camping in the park.
Images for kids
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The statue of Major General James B. McPherson, a hero from the Civil War.
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McPherson Square looking beautiful in the winter snow.
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The entrance to the McPherson Square Metro station.
