USA > New York > New York City > The City of New York. A complete guide and a complete new street directory 1885 > Part 5
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FREE CIRCULATING LIBRARY, 36 Bond st. Open from 9 A. M. to 9P. M. Sundays from 4 to 9 P. M.
HARLEM .- Third ave., near 122d. Open from 9 A. M. to 9 P. M. Subscription, $3.
LIBRARY OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE .- Cooper Union. Open daily from 9 A. M. to 9 P. M.
LIBRARY OF AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY .- 77th st. and Eighth ave. Open from 10 A. M. to 5 P. M.
MERCANTILE LIBRARY ASSOCIATION .- Astor Place. Open from 8 A. M. to 8 P. M. Down-town office, 51 Liberty. Terms of membership: For clerks, $1 initiation fee, and $4 per annum. Merchants and oth- ers, $5 annually. Reading-room open from 8 A. M. to 9 P. M.
MOTT MEMORIAL AND MEDICAL .- 64 Madison ave. 9 A. M. to 9 P. M.
NEW YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY .- Second ave. cor. of E. 11th st. Open, October to April, 9 A. M. to 9 P. M .; April to October, 9 A. M. to 6 P. M.
NEW YORK LAW INSTITUTE .- 116 P. O. Building. Open from 8.30 A. M. to 6 P. M. from March to October; rest of the year from 9 A. M. to 5 P. M.
NEW YORK SOCIETY .- 67 University Place. Open from 8 A. M. until 6 P. M. Reading-room, from 8 A. M. to 10P. M.
PRINTERS' .- 3 Chambers. Open every Saturday P. M. Free.
WASHINGTON HEIGHTS .- Tenth ave., near W. 155th.
WOMEN'S .- 38 Bleecker st. Open daily from 9 A. M. to 4 P. M.
YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION. - Twenty-third st., c. Fourth ave .; Fourth av., c. E. 129th; 134 Bowery; Grand Central Depot. Open daily from 8 A. M. to 10 P. M. Sundays, from 2 to 7 P. M.
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The new Tribune Building.
CITY OF NEW YORK.
CENTRAL PARK DIRECTORY,
Carriages will leave the Fifth and Eighth avenne entranees on 59th street, making tue cireuit of the Park, at brief intervals, from 7 A. M. till dusk, and may be taken anywhere on the road.
Fare for each passenger making the entire circuit of the Park, or any distance, Twenty-five cents. The circuit will be made in about one hour and a half.
Not more than twelve persons will be allowed in a carriage at any one time.
Park-keepers in uniform are on duty at all hours of the day and night, and will give visitors information respeeting the earriages and the Park.
No parcel or baggage is permitted in the carriages.
Smoking is not allowed in the earriages.
Parties will please report any incivility on the part of the driver, to a park-keeper, or to the Park Commissioners.
Length of Park, from 59th street to 110th street, about 22 miles; width of the Park from Fifth avenue to Eighth avenue, about }2 mile; length of Park Carriage . Roads, about 92 miles; length of Park Bridle Roads, about 5}2 miles; length of Park Walks, about 2812 miles.
The Park contains 800 aeres; New Reservoir, 107 acres; Old Reservoir, 35 acres; Pond, 59th street and Sixth avenue, 5 acres; Lake, 20 acres; Conservatory Water, 212 aeres; Pool, 2 acres; Harlem Meer, 1212 aeres; Loch, 1.
Metropolitan Museum of Art, containing Cesnola collection, ete., Fifth avenue and 82d street.
Obelisk, faeing Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Museum of Natural History, Eighth avenue and 81st street.
Museum and Menagerie, Fifth avenue and 64th street.
There are Zoological and Natural History Collections at the Arsenal, near the south-east part of the Park.
Boats to take visitors around the Lake may be found at the boat house on the cast side.
Refreshments may be obtained at the Casino and at Mount St. Vincent, and Mineral Waters at the "Springs."
Music on the Mall every Saturday afternoon, when the weather is fine.
LOCATION AND NAMES OF GATES.
5th av. and 59tli strect, Scholars' Gate.
8th av. and 110th street. Strangers' Gate.
3tl ..
Children's Gate.
7th
59th
Artisans' Gate.
8th
59th
66 Merchants Gate.
Woman's Gate.
8th
66
79th
8th 66 85th
66 Mariner's Gate. 5tl
.6 110th Pionvers' Gate.
8th
66 96th
Gate of All Saints Boys' Gate.
7 1
110th
Warriors' Gate.
5th
7zł Miner's Gate. 79th 90th .. Engineers' Gate.
5tlı
66 66
96tl Woodman's Gate Girls' Gate.
Hunter's Gate 5th 66 102d
.. 110th
Farmers' Gate.
8th " 100th
59th Artists' Gate.
6th
8th
72d
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CITY OF NEW YORK.
CENTRAL PARK.
Central Park is the great pleasure ground of New York, and the chief point of interest for visitors. If the stranger with but half a day at command fails to visit it, he misses the great "show place" of the city. Any city can show its streets, hotels, theaters and churches. Few can exhibit such rural charms, adorned by art, in the midst of its streets and houses. Eight hundred and forty-three acres of lawn, drives, shady walk, garden and wood, lake and brook, right in the heart of the town. At once a sanitary measure, play ground for chil- dren, grand avenues for lordly carriages and whispering places for lovers. The wilderness of marsh, rough hill and tangled woodland, extending from 59th to 110th strects, between Fifth and Eighth avc- nues, was taken in hand by the engineer and landscape gardener in 1858, and even to-day it is not finished, though millions of money have been spent in the best investment New York ever made. There are two ways of seeing Central Park, afoot or with a horse. Neither will show the whole, as the drives miss much of the finer and more elaborate features of the places, and the walks fail to give some of the best prospects and out-looks. More than this, many points of interest are not in reach of carriage or foot-path, but must be seen from a boat. There are 10 miles of carriage roads, 8 miles of bridle paths for horseback riders, and over 25 miles of walks.
Large and comfortable open carriages are provided at the Fifth and Eighth avenue entrances, for all visitors who care to drive through the grounds. The fare for the entire trip up to Mount St. Vincent, at the northern end of the Park, and return, is only 25 cents. By tak- ing a return or transfer ticket, the visitor may leave the carriage at the end and may return from any point where he chooses to take another carriage. For instance, on leaving the Fifth avenue gatc, a transfer ticket is taken (without extra charge), and after spending an hour or more in the upper park, carriages may be taken and quite another road may be traversed to 59th street. Another good plan is to leave the carriage at the Terrace, cross the lake, and going through the Ramble, visit the Belvedere. Then walk along the breezy paths round the great Reservoirs to Mt. St. Vincent, where any car- riage that passes may be taken back to the Eighth or Fifth avenue entrances. Another pleasant trip is to walk to the Terrace and then take a carriage for Mt. St. Vincent, where a fine café has been opened (1884), replacing the old buildings burned in January, 1882. From
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CITY OF NEW YORK.
this place a rather longer, but exceedingly picturesque walk, may be taken through the woods and up the lovely valley that leads off to the west towards Eighth avenue, and then through the pine woods to the Belvedere and the Ramble. Crossing the Lake again, another carriage may be taken at the Terrace for 59th street. The simple ride up and back, a distance of about five miles, shows many of the chief points of interest in the Park and gives a most charming journey. All the grand turnouts and carriages may be seen on the road, and stops are made at such places as offer good views of the various statues and prospects. From three o'clock till dark is the best time to see the driving and the display of fine horses and gorgeous apparel. Saturday and Sunday are the most brilliant days of the week. These Park carriages are under the control of the Park Commissioners, and may be taken without hesita- tion, as they are always safe and clean. Everybody uses them, and they are considered quite as elegant as the public hacks that may be hired at the gates. These hacks and open carriages charge 50 cents or more for each passenger and only hold four. Park carriages may also be taken at 72d street for the trip through Riverside Park, a beautiful drive beside the Hudson, from 72d street to 130th street. The fee for the trip is 25 cents.
The Bridle Roads are marked "for visitors on horseback only," and are exclusively devoted to their use. They join the drives near the gates and pass through some very retired and interesting parts of the Park. A good gallop may be obtained upon them without fear, as they avoid the greater part of the drives and go under or over nearly all the foot-paths.
The Park Afoot .- This is, by far, the best way to see Central Park. The visitor who has only a short time to give to the place, and who wishes to "do all the sights " as easily and conveniently as possi- ble, had best take the Sixth or Third avenue elevated road to 59th street. If he enters at the "Artisan's Gate " at the end of Seventh avenue on 59th street, the broad path may be taken that gently curves to the right, and passes under a pretty vine-covered bridge. The bridges in the Park are all of great interest and beauty. No two are alike. There are 48 bridges, archways and tunnels in the Park. Each is a study in itself, and the ornamental architecture is varied with great taste. Beyond the bridge the path climbs a small hill and crosses an iron bridge over one of the bridle paths. Here we turn to the right and presently come to the great lawn.
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CITY OF NEW YORK.
Play Ground. - Visitors are generally not allowed to walk on the grass, but on certain days this place is declared free, and then thou- sands of boys and young children roam on this wide field and play ball and other games. On such days signs are put up marked, "Com- mon," and then the grass land is free. Off to the left here may be seen a mass of high bare rock. Such places as this, where there is no grass, are always free everywhere in the Park. Going on we pass through a ri- tie arbor and come to the
Carousel. Here are swings, a "merry-go-round," and plenty of amusement for the younger children. Leaving these delights, we turn sharply to the right and go under another bridge and come to a high rock bank surmounted by an immense rustic arbor. This is one of the sights of the Park, and it is well worth while to turn aside . and climb over the smooth rocks to see it. Coming back to the path we soon come to
The Dairy, a restaurant where milk and ice-cream and a few simple things are for sale, and it furnishes a nice place for chil- dren's lunches. Swings and other amusements are provided near by. Just before reaching the Dairy the path turns to the right and soon comes to
The Marble Arch, an archway under the road, with steps lead- ing up to the paths beyond. The archway and stairs are all of marble, and the structure is both massive and beautiful. Mounting the steps we come suddenly upon one of the grand sights of the Park. Here the drive divides and we enter
The Mall, a broad path lined with trees, extending from the Marble Arch to the Terrace. It gives a fine view of this part of the Park and makes the grand promenade. The Belvedere tower can be seen at the end of the long vista, and here may be seen fashionable turnouts and crowds of pleasure-seekers, on their way to the Lake and the Rambles. Goat carriages for children's rides are here also. Several of the best statues in the Park may here be seen. The statue of Shakespeare, a standing figure, comes first. Second is a statue of Robert Burns. Next is the figure of Walter Scott, and further on that of Fitz Green. Halleck ; and a short distance to the left is a fine figure of an Indian hunter and his dog. Farther off, to the left, may be seen the large level field known as
The Common .- A flock of sheep roam over the grass, tended by a gray old shepherd and a very knowing shepherd dog, whose actions
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CITY OF NEW YORK.
in his care of the flock afford amusement and study for all interested in such matters. Instead of taking the Mall and going directly to the Lake, we may here take the first or second path to the right. Passing under the road, we follow the winding path down hill and under an- other stone bridge, to
The Museum and Menagerie .- Here a collection of birds and wild animals of various kinds and a museum of natural history is opencd free, and an hour or more may be profitably spent in examin- ing both. The objects are all close together, and it requires no special guidance to find them all. Having seen these things, take the same path back as far as the place where it divides just under three great willow trees. Keeping on, we pass another small play-ground for children, and keeping off to the left, soon come to a part of the drive. Crossing the roadway and taking the path to the right, and then keep- ing off in that direction, we come to a few stone steps, and then enter a long rustic arbor at the
Great Circle. - Here many of the pleasure-riders turn in, and driv- ing round, view the prospect, or stop at the pretty stone cottage for lunch. From the arbor there is a view on one side down over the Mall, where the bands play, and over the terrace and the drive. The stone cottage to the right is
The Casino, a lunch-room or restaurant, and is much patronized by the visitors who come in carriages. Walking through the arbor, we may go down the steps and come out on
The Terrace. - This is the most striking and remarkable feature of the park. It is of a fine soft stone and covered with the most beautiful carvings. The central stairway goes down under the road, and the two side stairways arc beyond the road. The three flights of stairs all mect below on the edge of the lake at the great bronze fountain, called Bethesda fountain, and representing the figure of an angel blessing the waters. Going down the central stairs, we enter an arched hall, devoted to a restaurant. The walls are beautifully decorated with col- orcd tiles, and it makes a cool and pleasant spot for a slight lunch. The otherstairways show the outside of the terrace, and give one an opportunity to examine the figures of birds and animals carved in the stone walls and massive balustrade. Passing the fountain below, we come to the boat landing on
The Lake .- This irregular body of water cannot all be seen at once from any one spot, and the best way to examine it is to take a boat-
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CITY OF NEW YORK.
ride. The trip takes about half an hour, and is very enjoyable. There are two classes of boats, one at a low price for all who choose to go with the general company, the other boats may be hired singly for a little larger fee. Boats may be hired with or without a boatman. The prices are placarded on the boat-house, and if the visitor has time, it is well worth while to take the trip. From the lake we may continue our walk by taking the path to the left of the terrace and following the shore of the lake. We soon come to a fine iron bridge over the lake, and from the top get a good view of the lake and the beautiful shores on both sides. The swans and other birds also make a feature of interest. Crossing the bridge, we enter the most interesting part of the whole park, known as
The Ramble. As its name implies, this is a place where one may ramble for hours through shady paths, through mossy dells, over pic- turesque bridges, along winding lanes, among deep thickets, past bold rocks, and through woods and scattered grass. The paths, both small and great, wander in every conceivable direction, and cross each other in such a delightfully confusing way that there is no end of amuse- ment in following them to see where they really do go. Arbors and seats are placed everywhere, and pretty views come as surprises every- where. By taking the broad path from the bridge, a little to the left, we soon come to the donkey stand, where the children may indulge in a donkey ride if they are so inclined. Following the shore of the lake, we soon cross a rustic bridge, and mounting some steps, come to
The Schiller Monument. - It is a portrait bust, and is said to be a fine work of art. Turning to the right, we follow the signs pointing the way to
The Cave .- It is found in a deep rocky dell, and is worth visiting for the sake of the picturesque views it affords at both entrances, and for the solemn company of owls sitting inside. Passing through the cave, we may climb the steep steps beyond, and take the path over- head, or we may return by the way we came. If we return, the path may be taken to the left, and soon after to the right. This leads to a broad path up the hill to the right again. At the next turn we go to the left, and the path will lead us up over the rocks to the top of the hill, where stands
The Belvedere .- This is a stone tower or outlook, giving an extensive view over the park and the country round about. To the south may be seen the spires of the lower part of the city. To the west is the
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CITY OF NEW YORK.
Hudson and the country beyond. East of the East River are many small islands, the Sound, Brooklyn, and the Long Island shore. To the north lies the two great reservoirs, and beyond there is the upper part of the city, with a glimpse of High Bridge. At the foot of the tower on the east side the path round the reservoirs may be taken through a pretty valley of hedges. A few steps beyond, to the right, is a flight of stone steps leading down into the Ramble again. No par- ticular directions need be given here. The visitor may wander where he likes, look at the rabbits, peacocks and squirrels, and easily find his own way back to the lake. Crossing by the bridge, we may take the path along the beach, and go part way round the lake to the right. Meeting the drive again, we come to the statue of "The Falconer," placed on a high rocky bank. Here the path along the roadside may be taken to the left, and presently we come to the Common again. Here is a bronze group of eagles, and another path leading past there to the Mall. Another path to the right leads to the little soda-fountain stand called
The Springs .- From this part we may keep off to the right, and by going round the Common, come out the Eighth avenue entrance on 59th street. By returning to the Mall, we may keep on down the driveway to the left, or to Fifth avenue and 59th street. At the end of the Mall, near the. Marble Arch, the paths to the right along the roadway lead to Sixth and Seventh avenues. The path on the right- hand side leads to Seventh avenue, and the path on the left of the road goes to Sixth avenue. This walk does not by any means include all the park. It has shown nearly all the chief points of interest, within easy reach, and placed them in such an order as to enable the stranger to see as much as possible in a short time. Another excellent plan of seeing a great deal of the park in a single walk, is to take the Sixth avenue elevated road to 81st street, and thence follow the main paths in a general south-eastern direction, diagonally across the park to the gate at Fifth avenue and 59th street.
The Metropolitan Museum. If, when at the Lake, instead of crossing the bridge, we had continued northward along the east side, a short walk would have brought us to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, at Fifth avenue and 82d street, a red brick building of modern Gothic style, 218 feet long. It was opened to the public in 1880 by President Hayes, in behalf of the trustees. Its cost was about $500,000. It contains the Di Cesnola collection of Cypriote archæological objects,
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CITY OF NEW YORK.
the Blodgett collection of Dutch and Flemish paintings, the Avery collection of pottery, and a great number of other curious and artistic articles. It isopen to the public without charge on all week days, except Monday and Tuesday, when an admission fee of 25 cents is charged. The most important single object owned by the Museum is the paint- ing, "Return of the Holy Family from Egypt," by Rubens Almost facing the Museum, to the west, on a gentle elevation, stands
The Obelisk. This monument of antiquity was given to New York in 1877, by Ismail Pacha, then Khedive of Egypt. With its compan- ion, now in London, it was erected by Thutmes III. as an offering of praise to the sun-god, who had given him many victories. It is fully 3,400 years old. The hieroglyphics on one side have become unintel- ligible. The other inscriptions are invocations to the sun-god and adulations of Thutmes, and his descendant, Ramses. The difficult engineering feat of transporting the huge monolith to New York was undertaken by Lieutenant-Commander H. H. Gorringe, U. S. N. The Obelisk arrived in New York July 21, 1880, and the work of erection was completed February 22, 1881.
Museum of Natural History. Nearly opposite the Museum of Art and the Obelisk, on the other side, and just outside the park proper, stands the fine fire-proof structure of the Museum of Natural History. The grounds occupy Manhattan Square, between Eighth and Ninth avenues, and from 77th to 81st streets. The present building, like the Art Museum, is but a single wing of the structure as designed. The corner-stone was laid by President Grant on June 2, 1874. Among the most interesting objects are the Verreaux natural history collection, the Eliot collection (North American birds), and the entire museum of Frince Maximilian of Neuwied. The Museum is open to the pub- lie without a charge on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Statues in the Park -- In addition to the works of art already mentioned, there are many other busts and statues of distinguished authors, statesmen and heroes, and several fanciful pieces of statuary. In the Mall, besides Ward's Shakespeare, places of honor have been given to a bronze statue of Burns, modeled by John Steele; a fine statue of Scott, by the same artist, in a sitting posture; and a similar representation of Fitz-Greene Halleck, by Wilson MacDonald. A life- size statue of Prof. S. F. B. Morse, at the 72d street entrance; a bust of Mazzini, on the West Drive; the heroic bronze statue of Daniel Web- ster, modeled by Ball, also on the West Drive; the Seventh Regiment
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CITY OF NEW YORK.
Memorial statue, representing a private in full uniform-one of the very best works of its sculptor, Mr. J. Q. A. Ward; a bust of Thomas Moore ; and The Crouching Tiger, designed by Kemyss, are chief among attractions of this kind. The latest statue "erected (1884) is that of San Bolivar, presented to the city by the President of Vene- zuela.
OTHER PARKS.
Besides Central Park, New York has a number of smaller parks or squares. The Battery, at the foot of Broadway, is the oldest and most famous. Bowling Green is close to it, and is also another relic of revolutionary times. City Hall Park and Union and Madi- son Squares have each been described under the head of "Broad- way." Washington Square is bounded by Waverley place, Macdou- gal, Fourth, and Wooster streets, and is ornamented with trees, lawns, and a fountain. Tompkins Square is between Avenues A and B, join- ing Tenth and Seventh streets. Stuyvesant Square was formerly a part of the old Peter Stuyvesant farm, and was a gift to the city. It is bounded by Rutherford and Stuyvesant places, and E. 15th and E. 17th streets, while Second avenue runs through it from north to south. Gramercy Park is a private park between Third and Fourth avenues and E. 20th and E. 21st streets. Bryant Park is on Sixth avenue, and is described under that avenue. Besides these are Hamilton Square, situated between Third and Fourth avenues, near 66th and 67th streets; Manhattan Square, on the same avenues, between W. 77th and 81st streets. Mount Morris Square, in Harlem, is one of the most attractive and picturesque of the smaller squares; it is between 120th and 124th streets, on Fifth avenue. Morningside Park, at the north- west corner of Central Park, has 32 acres, and extends to 123d street. It is as yet little improved. Riverside Park is the strip of land west of the Boulevard, by the side of the Hudson, from 72d street to 130th street, about 3 miles in length. The drive is one of the most delight- , ful about the city.
EXCURSIONS ROUND ABOUT.
The vicinity of New York presents attractions in every direction, and in the greatest variety. Not only are the two large cities of Brooklyn and Jersey City within easy reach, but by the sea-shore along the two rivers, and in the country beyond, are many places worth visiting. All the most popular places of resort are connected with the city by boat or rail, and the excursions thus offered are both cheap and plen-
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tiful. The first, and perhaps the best, are by the sea-shore. Long Branch, the fashionable sea-side resort, is within easy reach by boat or rail from Jersey City. By boat the visitor lands at Sandy Hook, and affording views of the Highlands of New Jersey, a short rail ride by the beach. Coney Island and Rockaway beaches are nearer, and are both reached by boats or rail, and each presents good surf bathing and all the usual delights of a very democratic watering-place. No finer trip for an afternoon can be found than to take the Iron Steam- boat line (Pier 1, Battery, ) to the Iron Pier at Coney Island, and thence wander along the shore, taking stages or marine railway, if desired, to Brighton Beach, Manhattan Beach, and the Oriental, taking the steam- boat for return in the evening. Starin's Glen Island, to be reached by boats from foot of Cortland street, is also a mnost pleasant and popu- lar resort. The rates, routes, and starting places of many excursion boats will be found elsewhere. Staten Island, still nearer the city, may be reached by boat in half an hour. Boats touching at places on the east side of the Island, take one quite near the Narrows, and within easy walking of the forts and heights. Boats for the north side of the island go through the long inlet known as the Kills, and pass- ing a number of pretty villages, enter Raritan Bay, affording some charming views of the Jersey shore and Orange Mountains. Another line of boats run farther on, to Perth Amboy, and making a still more extended excursion. Other excursions may be made to Flushing, Jamaica, Babylon, and other points on Long Island, by rail and ferry. Boat excursions may be made on both the East and North River. Boats to Harlem leave every half hour from down town piers, and pass- ing up East River, skirt the eastern side of the city, pass Blackwell's, Ward's and Randall's Islands, each with their public and charitabl institutions, and entering Harlem River, stop near the Third avenue Bridge. Here other boats may be taken for High Bridge. This famous place of resort is noted for its great stone bridge carrying the Croton- water pipes over the deep valley, and its picturesque scenery. High Bridge may also be reached by the Ninth Avenue Elevated Railroad, and by rail from the Grand Central Depot. From High Bridge the cars may be taken up the Harlem River valley to Spuyten Duyvil, on the Hudson. The ride from this point down the river to 34th street gives a fine view of the Hudson and the Palisades, and passes the vil- lages of Mount Washington, Carmansville, and Manhattanville, and the west side of the city, of which they form a part. Boats on the
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