During the "Roaring Twenties," the automobile, concrete, macadam, and traffic gradually forced the market off the space needed for roads. Moreover, refrigeration and the advent of the "Super Market" reduced the need for every day shopping. Health regulations contributed to the demise of the sale of fresh, fish, and poultry and the shambles were abandoned as a vending area. All of these prompted the decline of the open-air market. Other changes symbolized the new priorities. With the invention of the infamous parking meter, the layout of Market Square was reoriented to facilitate automobiles, concrete sidewalks parallel to King Street were installed, and the space paved and lined to accommodate cars on non-market days. The Market Square became the "lot"; the police took over the shambles; the jail went into the basement; and a few shrubs were planted in the north court. By mid-twentieth century, even City Hall went into disrepair and was condemned. In 1956, the magnificent front portico was removed for safety reasons and the demolition of the building was discussed. Naturally, this provoked a great public outcry and prompted a generation of improvements. By 1973, City Hall was fully restored and attention turned next to the Market Square. The City commissioned a study; Queen's University students of Art History submitted their concept; City staff made proposals; and several downtown committees studied the situation. There were public meetings, editorials, proposals from the public. Clearly, there was much concern over the future of what was seen to be the heart of downtown Kingston. Twice, the City captured Provincial money for improvements -- but they were not implemented. Market Square Committees and subcommittees came and went for another whole generation without generating a single improvement. And so here we are. Back where we started with a wonderful bequest from the nineteenth century: a vital and living public space located in the heart of downtown Kingston. And interestingly, despite two centuries of attrition, Kingston's Official Plan still refers to the Market Square as "City Hall Square" and includes everything between Brock and Clarence Streets, and from King Street to the water. On paper and in legislation, at least, the original Market Square is still with us.

Marc Raymond is an optician by profession, a Canadian by birth and commitment, and an amateur historian interested in celebrating Kingston's past.
This essay is from Historic Kingston Vol. 48 2000, The Annual Publication of the Kingston Historical Society.