In 1829, Carroll's founder William Tong set aside this area for a market house where goods would be bought, sold, and traded, and neighboring Market Street took its name from that planned structure. Tong died in 1830, however, and the market house was never built. During the canal days a sawmill stood on this site, and after its removal the tree-filled area was surrounded by a picket fence into the early 1900's. Because of its shape it was known as Triangle Park, and in 1988 it was officially named Bessie Benson Memorial Park for a local civic leader.