Blackstone and Franklin Squares are located in the heart of Boston’s South End neighborhood. Charles Bullfinch, who initiated the plan for the South End in 1801, originally intended the two squares to be a single residential park called Columbia Square. Franklin Square was completed in 1849 and Blackstone Square followed in 1855.

The Olmsted Brothers created improvement plans for both squares in 1913, maintaining the original diagonal paths but adding trees and two smaller walks. The squares feature identical, central fountains with marine motifs that are in the midst of renovations. Throughout numerous renovations over their lifetime, both Blackstone Square and Franklin Square have retained their 1850s design intentions and appearance.