Duffy Square -- Starting Point

Welcome to Times Squares, also called The Crossroads of the World. There are The Red Steps in Duffy Square, part of the Times Square District. The Times Square District runs from 42nd Street to 47th St between Broadway and 7th Ave. The island of Manhattan is set up in a grid, with the streets running east to west and the avenues running north to south. It's a nice, neat grid, except for the avenue of Broadway. Broadway starts on the east side of the island and runs north, diagonally across the island.

That is because Broadway predates the colonization of this island. It predates America. Broadway was originally a foot path for the Algonquin Tribe of Native Americans, which is why it does not adhere to the thoughtful grid laid out by the Dutch settlers. As Broadway intersects the avenues, squares are formed--Times Square being one of them. As you look down to 42nd Street you can see where Broadway crosses Seventh Avenue, and that is the official square of Times Square. If you look up, you can see the number 2018 on the top of the building on Times Square. On New Year’s Eve, one million people stand in this square to watch the ball drop down that pole on top of that building to celebrate the New Year. Another billion people watch the live broadcast from around the world.

The Times Square District intersects with the Theatre District, which runs from 40th to 53rd between 6th and 8th Avenue. Within the Theatre District are the 41 theatres that are officially designated as Broadway houses or theatres. The area also includes many Off-Broadway theatres. As we explore the area, you will notice that most of the Broadway theatres are not actually “on” Broadway but are on the side streets. There are only five Broadway Theatres that are “on” Broadway. One nickname for Broadway is “The Great White Way.” When the area was first electrified, all the light bulbs were white, and this area used so many light bulbs on the marquis and billboards that the area glowed white. Within the business, we still refer to Broadway as The Great White Way.

Today, we will be focusing on the Theatre District, the theatres, (both Broadway and Off Broadway) their histories and all the various businesses and organizations that support this important New York industry. Before we begin walking, I want to draw your attention to the statue directly in front of us. This is Father Francis Duffy, whom Duffy Square honors. He was a Canadian American military chaplain who served in the Spanish American War and The Great War, also known as WW1. He is the most highly decorated cleric in the history of the United States Army because he continually risked his life to retrieve wounded soldiers from the battle fields. After WW1, he became the priest for Holy Cross Catholic Church on 42nd Street, for over a decade. This monument was erected in 1937 in honor of his military service but also his service to the theatre community and the neighborhood.

Now, off to visit the sights of Broadway!