Clinton Square is a public square in downtown Syracuse, New York, United States, that has served a gathering place since the earliest days of the city. The square was the original town center and first came into existence in the early 19th century as the crossroads of two major roadways. With the construction of the Erie Canal through the square in the 1820s, the intersection was further transformed. During the 19th century, the square was a marketplace and hosted various public events, including an 1870 public barbecue reportedly attended by 20,000 people.