 The square was also known as "Printing House Square," and it was here that the Great Fire of New York broke out on December 16, 1835, decimating much of Lower Manhattan.3 Hanover Square, a former home to the New York Cotton Exchange, and 10 Hanover Square, a former office building, have been converted to residential use.The IRT Third Avenue Line elevated railway had a station above the square from 1878 until 1950, when it was deactivated and later dismantled.