For over two centuries, Newport Market Square has been the central business district, a major thoroughfare, and a gathering place for parades, politicians, and celebrations. When the Paul Reider family surveyors designed what became Newport in the early 1800s, they were inspired by the Philadelphia rectangular street plan and market square. This early 19th century center square remains one of the largest and oldest urban squares in Central Pennsylvania. During Christmas 1898, electric lights were turned on in hotels and businesses on the square for the first time and began to replace the town’s public gaslights. A Christmas tree has graced the square almost every December since 1914.