... By Charles D. Elliot. I first knew Union square in 1846, at which time it was called Sand Pit square, a name said to have been given it, facetiously or otherwise, by some of the gentlefolk of Winter Hill . the name, though not euphonious, was appropriate, as its western side bordered sand lands that for years supplied the neighboring brick yards, as well as cities, with the best of silica. In shap...