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5. The architectural progression of the doors

Liberty Square Door "22"

The Haunted Mansion anchors the far side of Liberty Square, with an architectural style that’s inspired by New York’s Hudson River Valley in the early 1700s. As you progress through Liberty Square, the architecture advances along with you. The Hall of Presidents represents Philadelphia architecture of the late 1700s. Moving into Frontierland, the architecture follows the same trend, advancing you into the old west of the 1800s.

Liberty Square Door "24"

In Liberty Square, the architectural changes are at once subtle and strikingly obvious. Once you notice this feature, it’s difficult not to see it all around you. The doors that make the up facades of Liberty Square each represent a different time period. You can pinpoint the exact year that’s referenced simply by looking at the number over the door. This represents the year when that particular style was used.

Liberty Square Door "26"

6. The historic fire mark

Liberty Square Fire MarkLiberty Square Fire Mark

The symbol of four clasped hands featured on this façade in Liberty Square is known as a fire mark. This particular fire mark belongs to the Philadelphia Contributorship and appeared in Philadelphia from 1752 to 1830. A fire mark let firefighters know a building was insured and by whom. Insured buildings would receive priority attention, both from the firefighters and from policyholders who would see a profit or loss from the building’s outcome.

7. The unique coloring of the streets

Liberty Square StreetsLiberty Square Streets

If you happen to look down, you may notice something unusual about the streets in Liberty Square. The traditional reddish hue seen elsewhere in the park features an uneven brown river running down the center. This is just another period-appropriate accent. In the 1700s, indoor plumbing didn’t exist. Sewage was thrown right into the streets and ran down the center, just as you see here in this decidedly cleaner representation.

Speaking of bathrooms, you won’t find any in Liberty Square for the same reason. The Columbia Harbor House has a restroom inside but it’s technically outside the bounds of Liberty Square because it’s beyond the restaurant’s overhang and technically falls within Fantasyland.

8. The fence that’s not a fence

Liberty Square Hitching PostLiberty Square Hitching Post

Though this looks like a convenient piece of fencing that separates the stroller parking from the rest of the street, it’s actually more interesting than it seems. This is a hitching post for horses. The clever little accent gives a humorous nod to the differences in “parking” in the Magic Kingdom and Colonial America.

These fascinating details only scratch the surface of the stories that Liberty Square has to tell. Slow down and take a closer look at the details around you and you may be surprised at what you can find.

 
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Comments

And how does the totally inappropriate early 20th century Sousa music fit in? It annoys me every time, especially considering the more correct music that used to play there. Love these details though!

Great info ~ I've missed most of these things!

I absolutely love reading your articles.

I will definitely have to walk a bit slower thru liberty square from now on.

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