It seems that no matter where you go, almost every small town has a square. Back in the 1800s, they served as gathering places for the community, focal points for important events and celebrations. These were where courthouses were built, where people could sell and buy things, be entertained in concerts, have dances. Politicians often gave speeches on town squares. On the darker side, they used to hold hangings, lynchings, and such on them. Thank goodness they don’t do that anymore. Shops, offices, and cafes surround this area and usually there is a large clock or a fountain.
People decorate the squares for Christmas and often exhibit a manger scene. In a lot of town squares, you’ll find statues or a veteran’s memorial. There are famous squares like Red Square in Russia, Tiananmen Square in China, and Jackson Square in New Orleans.
Town squares held great importance in earlier times, even as far back as the Bronze Age, and hopefully still do in the smaller communities. But in the U.S. they’ve mostly disappeared in larger cities, swallowed up by progress.
The town square plays an important part in my new Christmas book, HOPE’S ANGEL.
Jericho Cane is an outcast, labeled a monster because of his injuries, and shunned by the town of Genesis. He finds refuge in the darkness of his home, going out only after everyone sleeps. A new woman doctor is determined to change that and comes up with a plan to place Jericho’s sculpture of an angel in the town square. Yet when she encounters opposition, the chances of making this work are slim. If she fails, she knows Jericho will be lost for good.
I started this story years ago and set it aside while I wrote a contracted book. I forgot about it until this past August when I ran across it by chance. It was too good to languish in a file so I finished and self-published it. I think in many ways, I was a better writer back then. I’m very proud of this story that holds the message of kindness, acceptance of others, and a healing of wounds.
If you haven’t seen my video, please watch.
Even in this day and age, we tend to shun people who are different and that’s so sad. Everyone wants to be loved.
This is available in both print and Kindle Unlimited. Click HERE.
If you live in a place with a town square, how do they use it? Do they decorate at Christmas? Is it a place for singing, dancing? Buying or selling? I have four copies of Hope’s Angel to give away so be sure to leave a comment.
Here in the Texas Panhandle, we do love our cowboys. There's just something about a man in a Stetson and jeans that makes my heart beat faster. I'm not much of a cook but I love to do genealogy and I'm a bit of a rock hound. I'm also a NY Times & USA Today bestselling author of historical western romance. You can contact me through my website and I'd love to connect with you on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and more. HAPPY READING!
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In New England they are called the Green. We do decorate it for holidays. Alas I moved and miss seeing it.
Good morning, Debby! It’s so nice to see you. I probably should’ve mentioned the name used in various places for their town square. Green is definitely one. And plaza. They’re fun to decorate. Have a lovely day.
Our town square is always decorated for Christmas and is used throughout the year for festivals, concerts, meeting the Easter bunny, etc.
Sounds like you use the town square for a lot of things, Rhonda. I like when towns really use their squares. I’ve never lived in a town that had one and I really think I missed out. Have a blessed day.
Our town doesn’t have a square, but there is a fountain outside of the courthouse, and they do decorate it for Christmas.
It’s so nice to see you, Denise. I’ve never lived in a town that had a square either. I wish I had though. They add a lot I think. Love and blessings.
No square but there is a part of downtown that they decorate for christmas. They use to hang the 12 days of christmas all around downtown now all the lighted symbols are in this one spot along with other decorations.
Good morning, Kim! I’m happy to see you. I think towns look so pretty all decorated up. I never lived in a town with a square either and I think I missed out. They seem very nice. Thank you for coming.
decorate for Christmas
Good morning, BN! It’s great to have you. Town squares do look so pretty all decorated in Christmas colors. It sure adds a lot to a community.
Not a town square, but we do have a historic downtown area. We have Christmas parades and decorations. We also have a farmers’ market, crafts fairs and the courthouse is within walking distance.
Good morning, Alisa. I think more and more towns have gotten away from the square. I’m glad your town does a lot of decorating and has a place for everyone to gather. That’s really crucial I think to the atmosphere of the town. Blessing and love, dear friend.
Both in Plains where I lived and El Dorado where I am currently, the town square is more like a town block. There are community events held there, and both get decorated for the holidays. I love the small town atmosphere! It never fails to make me happy.
Good morning, Jess! I’m so glad you came. I love small towns too, but I’ve always had the misfortune of living in a larger city without that community closeness. Yours sounds so lovely and warm. A great place for kids to grow up in. Blessings and love.
Good morning Linda- My hometown Stephenville, Texas has a square and they decorate it for many thing. Christmas Halloween and even during June they decorate for dairy days.
In Hugoton, Kansas where I live, we don’t have a Town Square, we just have a town street, but they go all out with the decorations.
But I do love to go to town so I have squares see all the decorations the little shops that have remained I think it is such a fun time to shop & browse.
Have a great day. Rob just left for work so I’m gonna get in the kitchen before my work starts, because I’m teleworking, and make him a lemon pie for his birthday he turned the big 61 today.
Love you my sweet sister friend.
Good morning, Miss Tonya, my sister friend! How nice you get to work from home today. Stephenville is such a nice town. I remember seeing the square when I went through there. I’m sure they do go all out, especially since it’s a college town and all. I also love to walk around the town square and visit the little shops. Such fun. You never know what you’ll find. Tell Rob Happy Birthday! Yep, he’s getting on up there. Bet it doesn’t bother him a bit. Just one more day. Love you dearly. Have a good day with Miss Casino.
I love town squares! They are an important landmark in small towns, and I always credit those who take the time to decorate for everyone to enjoy.
Is that photo the town square in Santa Fe?? If so, I’ve been there!! It was very busy that day – lots of people enjoying the arts and crafts available.
I Preordered HOPE’S ANGEL and it’s on my Kindle. But I’m saving it for my lo-ong plane trip coming up. 🙂
Wishing you much success, as always, my friend.
I totally agree, Pam. They are important land marks, but I’ve never lived in a town that had one. Wish I had though. I think I missed out. No, that picture I got off Pixabay said it was somewhere abroad. But I wish I had found one of Santa Fe. They do have a beautiful town square and the native Americans bring their wares and spread them out on blankets. They are such amazing artisans. But yes, their square is quite beautiful. Thank you for ordering Hope’s Angel. I hope you like the story. I look forward to your thoughts. Much love.
I live in Bowling Green, KY. Our town square is the place of many events throughout the year such as the Festival of International residents who life here. It has lots of color in the colorful costumes being worn by the performers. We also have singing and bands playing nearly every weekend. Most recently they entire section of our downtown area was revamped with store faces changing, more beautification of the part itself and several safe walking areas to just wonder around and enjoy all the activities while sipping an alcoholic beverage if so desired. We are a very diverse community with over 100 nationalities who call Bowling Green home. Mostly it is a place of singing and dancing, but at times also buying and selling. It is a very cool place to spend an evening or entire weekend.
Hi Judy, thanks for coming. Bowling Green sounds like a beautiful place to live. How wonderful they have lots of activities on your town square. Those bring the community together in a huge way. I love it! I hope your day is just beautiful.
We have what is called a mall but it’s not stores. They will decorated for the holidays
Hi Rhonda, I’ve heard of mall being used instead of town square. I’m sure it’s very beautiful all decorated for Christmas. Thank you so much for coming to read my post.
We have a very small town located near us, we live out in a rural area. The town will block off a section of the main highway in front of our school to have a fall festival once a year and later on a Christmas parade. There is a easy detour for the traffic coming through. A little grassy corner in town is decorated with a Christmas tree every year, I guess that would pass as the town square, ha!
How lovely, Connie! Your town must be so pretty decked out for Christmas. We’ll call your grassy corner a town square anyway. I’m sure it’s close. 🙂 Thanks for coming and have a nice day.
welcome today. fun post. I love to look at the different town squares. we are closer to the next towns square than our town. so we go there often. they have concerts, decorate for the different seasons, market days on Fridays, singing, during the summer they have ice cream from different vendors and craft fairs, during the fall they have different vendors for hot foods. this is just a start. a lot goes on in this place. we have met a lot of people here
Lori, I’ve always envied towns with town squares where all the activity happens. But I’ve never lived in any town that had them. Yours sounds perfect and brings the community together for fun things. You’re lucky to live near one. Thank you so much for coming. Sending blessings and love your way.
Hi Linda! No town square for me, but I would love to live in a small town that decorates and has Christmas events like you read about in books.
Hi Linda, I’m happy to see you. We don’t have a town square here either but wish we did. The town is too large and it’s disappeared. I drive through small towns with their squares decorated and really envy that. I’d love to stroll along the sidewalk and peer into the shops lining it. Oh what a nice fantasy world! Ha! Thank you for coming.
We have a town square in our county’s seat, although not in any towns in the county. It is usually decorated for Christmas and Memorial Day has crosses along it and down the streets of the veterans who have died during a war or conflict.
Karijean, you can usually find a town square in the county seat but not in all the small towns. Especially in Texas. How nice that the one by you decorates their square and honors the veterans. Thanks for coming. Have a great day.
Our town does not have a square but does have a city hall with a small park right next to it on the Main Street of town. The hall is used for any large gathering in town ant the street in front is used for parades, pep rallies and numerous other occasions. The town is very decorated for Christmas!
Hi Connie, it’s great to see you! How nice that your town uses the park for community things. That really brings the people closer together. Glad they go all out for Christmas. It would be sad if they didn’t. Thank you so much for coming.
My hometown’s town square consists of 2 rectangles with the Main Street going through the middle. It’s undergoing a huge renovation. There is a pavilion for concerts , an ice skating rink, benches for sitting, lots of trees and lights!
Here is their description:
A redesigned Central Park will include features for year-round recreation and entertainment.
A splash pad, a skating loop, a new bandstand, concession stand and restroom building are part of the current plans for the Central Park West . (Two Rivers, Wisconsin)
It’s beautifully lit at Christmas! Several evergreens are brought in.
Laurie, how wonderful that they’re doing so much with the town square! So many activities! Things like this bring the community together and make the town thrive. I’m sure it will be beautiful at Christmas! Thank you for coming. I hope you have a lovely day.
Good morning, Linda. What a sweet video and a theme for the book that we all need to pay more attention to: inclusiveness, forgiveness, just not reacting negatively all the time and passing judgment.
I grew up without a town square but the county seat was in the town next door and they had a marvelous square, courthouse, historic homes just off the square, and my favorite pizza place! My uncle would place a late night order and would take me along on the drive to pick it up.
Enjoy the rest of your week and stay well and safe. xx Sally
Hi Sally, I’m happy to see you! Thank you for watching the video and liking my theme. I almost didn’t put this out but I’m glad I did. Readers seem to be enjoying it. I’m glad my post of town squares brought back fond memories. That town square sounds just beautiful. Blessings and love, dear friend.
No town square, but decorations go up all over. 🙂
Happy Fall!
Hi Colleen, I’m glad you came. It’s always great to see you. Happy Fall back!
Linda, I grew up in a small Oklahoma town–we didn’t really have a town square, but we had MAIN STREET! LOL That served the purpose, I guess, even for us teens that wanted to drive around and around the “drag” just to see who else was out there and who they were with. But, in the town where most of my relatives from both sides of the family grew up and even still live now, there was a town square. It even had a very small cafe that was called…you guessed it. The Square Cafe! LOL Sadly, it has all been taken over by modern “progress” but I will always remember seeing older men sitting together on benches there and talking over old times. Many were veterans, and when I was a young girl, I would bet many of them served in the Spanish – American War, and of course, WWI. Your book sounds wonderful. (OF COURSE!) I am going to snap it up. Hugs, Filly Sis! XOXO
Hi Cheryl, I, too, always had only a Main Street but I really envy towns with squares where old men could sit and talk and mothers could walk their children. The Square Cafe sounds very nice. Pooh on “modern progress!” I like the old things that gave a town character. I hope you enjoy Hope’s Angel. Love and hugs, Filly Sis!
We don’t have a square, but we have a Shops area where they decorate and have a meet-n-greet with Santa and Mrs. Clause. I was Mrs. Clause one year!
Hi Aahaynes! Or should I say Mrs. Clause? That would be so much fun to play. I’m sure you had a ball. I’m glad you have an area where you can gather to celebrate things and decorate for the holidays. That’s wonderful. Enjoy your day.
Nisswa, Minnesota does not have a town Square. It has Main Street. Every holiday opportunity is celebrated on main street. But my favorite is the city of lights held on Friday after Thanksgiving. We have horse-drawn sleigh rides, caroling, bonfires to enjoy, food trucks tempting our tastebuds, and such joy with friends. Around 9 PM a gorgeous fireworks display is enjoyed. Thousands of people come to our little town for this festive celebration. I can’t wait to read your book Linda.
Hi Kathy! Great to see you. I’ll bet it’s been pretty cold up there where you are. Brrrr! Your Main Street celebration sounds very fun and brings people out. I’d love to come up and see that. Love you, sweet lady.
Hi Linda, We don’t have a town square, but our downtown area is always decorated pretty for Christmas and we always have a Christmas parade which is really nice also. Your book sounds like a very good read and I loved your video! <3 Have a great day and a great week.
Hi Alicia, thank you for coming. I’m glad you enjoyed my video and I hope you give the book a try. A lot of towns seem to just use their downtown area as a place to gather and celebrate. Just anything will do. Have a beautiful day.
Our town sort of uses Main Street as their town square. We do have a park with a gazebo around the corner and another park behind a historic Inn just off Main Street. The farmer’s market sets up in the street along the side of the old Court House. For festivals, they block off Main Street as well as use the parks and the area near the library and visitors’ center. Friday nights from May through the end of September, Main Street is blocked and a concert is held on the steps of the old Court House. The town is a historic town and they use many venues in town for their events. Most of these venues are close to or on Main Street. I have been in towns with town squares and they haven’t been used as much as our Main Street – downtown area is.
Hi Pat, thanks for coming by. Your town really loves to celebrate and I love that. It brings the community closer together. That concert on the old courthouse steps sounds like lots of fun. You have quite a bit activity going on there on Main Street. That’s so nice. Love and hugs, dear friend.
We don’t have an official town square. We do have a large downtown area which does get decorated for Christmas.
Hi Cherie, thank you so much for coming over. Your downtown area sounds really nice and I’m sure it’s very pretty all decorated. I appreciate your comment. Have a good day.
I live in a medium size city. We do not have a town square, but we do have a park downtown. There are concerts in the park during the summer months. They decorate the area for the holidays. There are fountains in the park. It is right on the riverbank. Thank you for sharing. God bless you.
Hi Debbie! It’s nice to see you. Your downtown park serves the purpose really well sounds like. I’m sure it’s very beautiful all decorated and I love that it’s right by the water. Wow! Have a blessed day.
I still love to visit town squares. There is a great one in downtown McKinney. Maybe next time you come for a visit, we can go. It’s so beautiful down there around Christmas time. Great post, great story! I know everyone is going to enjoy it.
Jan, I would love to see the McKinney square. Bet it’s just gorgeous all decorated. Maybe I’ll get a chance one of these days. I’m glad you stopped by. Love you, Sister.
Good morning! I forgot to comment yesterday. Like you’ve said, our town squares in my area are used as focal points for all holiday gatherings such as parades, small festivals, music days with vocalists and small group bands, our local farmers markets have outgrown our downtown squares and such in this area.
I’m so glad the squares in Texas are back to being utilized. For a couple decades businesses started leaving downtown squares and they started looking like ghost town squares.
Hi Stephanie! Great to have you. I agree that it’s so nice seeing towns use their town squares for celebrations, gatherings, etc. The community needs a place to come together. Love you, pretty lady.
Our town has a Square that they decorate for Christmas time and they also will play Christmas music along it during December.
Megan, thanks for coming. I’m sure your town square is very nice and so pretty with it decorated. That makes everything cheery and fun. Enjoy your day.
Hi Linda, I live in Indiana & Indianapolis has a Monument Circle in the middle of the city. They decorate it every Christmas with lights that are string up on the monument & small buildings with hot chocolate, ice skating & etc. They also, have a stage where persons perform Christmas songs & dance on the night they light it. It’s a big thing for Indianapolis. Still enjoying all your books & newsletters. Your reader always