Local historical website Ephemeral New York recently dug up this great 1897 map from the NYPL Digital Collections that shows exactly how New York City appeared in 1642 as a Dutch Colony. Be sure to check out the accompanying article for some insight into the map's details.
“The Great Highway” is Broadway. The “Common Ditch” was a rather filthy canal that once filled in became Broad Street. And before landfill reshaped the Lower Manhattan shoreline, the waters of the North River (the Hudson to you and me) lapped at Greenwich Street.
Matt Coneybeare
Editor in Chief
Matt enjoys exploring the City's with his partner and son. He is an avid marathon runner, and spends most of his time eating, running, and working on cool stuff.
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