Madison Square and Madison Square Park

Madison Square is a 6 acre park in New York City named after James Madison, fourth president of the United States and co-author of its constitution. The park is bounded by Madison avenue, 23rd street, 26th street, 5th avenue, and a diagonal section of Broadway avenue. It is close to the Flatiron Building, one of the oldest of the original New York skyscrapers.

The square was made famous around the world by the Madison Square Garden. The "garden" had nothing to do with flowers. It was a sports arena located near the square, at 26th Street and Madison Avenue. When the arena moved to a new building at 50th Street and 8th Avenue in 1925 it kept its old name.

Before becoming a national, and then an international celebrity because of sporting events Madison Square was an important gathering place for New Yorkers, at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century. From 1876 to 1882 the torch and the arm of the Statue of Liberty were exhibited there in an effort to raise funds for the building of the base of the statue.

Madison Square park is now an oasis of greenery and relaxation surrounded by historical landmarks.