Palmer Square to Celebrate 75th Anniversary

This year marks the 75th anniversary of Princeton's Palmer Square.

To commemorate the occasion, Palmer Square Management is planning several upcoming activities and tributes, including a Kids Art Contest, Facebook trivia, a plaque dedication and a Birthday Bash celebration on Sunday, Oct. 7

Palmer Square has also launched a new web site where the public can share stories and upload photos and get information about event. 

“The Palmer Square of today is certainly visually different than its early history which began in 1937,” Palmer Square Vice President David Newton said in a release. “But the concept of being the pulse of the community and serving locals as well as visitors has always remained the same.”  

So how did Palmer Square come to be?

According to Newton, It was first conceived of in 1906 by Edgar Palmer, heir to the New Jersey Zinc Company fortune and prominent benefactor of both Princeton and Princeton University. But it was not until 1929, when Palmer was president of Princeton Municipal Improvement, Inc. that his plans were unveiled to the public. His vision was a new municipal center that included space for retail, office and residential use, a hotel, a post office and a playhouse. The groundbreaking was postponed until 1936 due to the Depression.

The buildings along Palmer Square West were the first to be completed in 1937. The design was by architect Thomas Stapleton.

“Stapleton assembled a ‘potpourri’ of favorite styles," said architect Jerry Ford, who specializes in historic buildings and owns Ford 3 Architects, LLC in Princeton. "There is a bit of old Newport, Philadelphia, Annapolis and Williamstown.

"The plan of the Square, however, is a mini version of Rockefeller Center. Both were built within the decade of the thirties and both were designed to turn the commercial traffic in from a major road. In the case of Princeton that road was Nassau Street and in New York it was Fifth Avenue. The early plans for Rock Center contemplated an Opera House at the end while Palmer had the Playhouse movie theater. 

One store has been on the Square since day one - The Silver Shop, according to Palmer Square Management. It is also the oldest shop in Princeton in its original location.

“Our longevity for 75 years is built on integrity and in these times, it is more important than ever to satisfy your customers,” said Sal Pitts, fourth owner of The Silver Shop and a Princeton resident.  

The Nassau Inn also opened in the center of the Square in 1937. The original Nassau Tavern at 52 Nassau St. was first built in 1756, and was home to Judge Thomas Leonard. When Leonard died in 1769, the house became the College Inn. The inn had notable guests including Paul Revere, Robert Morris and Thomas Paine.

Later, signers of the Declaration of Independence as well as members of the Continental Congress stayed at the Inn. At the turn of the 19th century, owner John Gifford changed the name to the Nassau Inn. The 52 Nassau St. location closed in 1937, when it became clear that Princeton needed a larger, comfortable and modern hotel.

“2012 not only represents 75 years on the Square for us, but also marks a year of rejuvenation,” said Lori Rabon, general manager of the Nassau Inn. “When the work is complete we will have renovated 188 guest rooms, our ballroom and many event spaces. We’ve maintained a wonderful combination of 18th century elegance and 21st century comfort.”

In 2009, construction began on luxury townhomes and condominiums known as The Residences at Palmer Square.