Kennedy Plaza, Providence

Kennedy Plaza is a public square in downtown Providence. The square is surrounded by some of the city's most important buildings, such as City Hall, the Federal Building and the John O. Pastore Federal Building. Burnside Park and Union Station are also nearby.

Prior to its creation, the area was part of the Great Salt Cove estuary. It was filled in to create a rail yard and terminal in 1846. Unfortunately, a fire burned the large building in 1896 and the spot was turned into City Hall Park.

The square was renamed to Kennedy Plaza after John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963. Thirty years later, the mayor of Providence redesigned the square into a central bus depot. It has been stated that the square has been renovated more than any other spot in the city.

Today, the plaza is a pedestrian-friendly area that remains rife with history. The bus stops and benches that proliferate Kennedy Place were once a spot where presidents like Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson delivered speeches to the nation. It was where Gen. Ambrose Burnside readied his troops for war. John F. Kennedy gave his last speech as presidential candidate in the plaza.

Kennedy Place is also known for its public art. The 1871 Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument was created by Randolph Rogers and Alfred E. Stone. The Hiker, sculpted in 1911, was designed by Theo Alice Ruggles Kitson. There is also an equestrian statue of Burnside, designed by Launt Thompson in 1887.