#72. A VIEW WITH A SKEW

 

#72. A VIEW WITH A SKEW 

                                “It lines up perfectly.” 

                                

                                “Nah, it’s still six feet off.” 

 A debate among Villagers that may never be won. Should the Fountain in Washington Square Park line up exactly with the Arch leading to Fifth Avenue? The fact is it never did for 137 years. 

It was built to be in the exact center of the park on its east-west axis. But that put it to the west of a straight line to the Arch. It always felt off visually, and that bothered a lot of people. So, in 2014 when the Park was renovated, the debate began and went on for five years. The winners got to move the fountain 23 feet to the east so that it lined up properly with the Arch. Park history was rewritten. 

 But…many swear to this day that it’s still a little off. I agree. If you visit, see what you think.