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This 1871 map of New York City presents a highly detailed survey of Manhattan Island, extending north to 111th Street, while also covering portions of Queens and Brooklyn along the East River and Jersey City and Hoboken along the Hudson River.
The structured grid system of Manhattan’s streets and avenues is clearly illustrated, reflecting the city’s adherence to the 1811 Commissioners’ Plan. Surrounding boroughs, including Brooklyn and Queens on the East River and Jersey City and Hoboken on the Hudson River, are mapped with significant urban detail. The northernmost boundary of the map is at 111th Street, indicating the expansion of New York City’s population into what were then suburban areas.
A notable feature of the map is the inclusion of radial distances measured from City Hall. Ferry routes are prominently displayed, highlighting their role in 19th-century transportation between Manhattan, Brooklyn, and New Jersey before the completion of the Brooklyn Bridge in 1883. Additionally, the map identifies individual pier owners along the Hudson and East Rivers, reflecting the dominance of maritime commerce in the city’s economy.
The map also reveals the ongoing urban expansion and land division of the period. Color-coded sections differentiate wards and municipal divisions. Central Park is prominently displayed as a green space, indicating its increasing importance as a public park following its official designation in 1857. Large portions of Upper Manhattan remain undeveloped, suggesting the gradual urbanization of the city.
![(Rare New York City Plan) Gaine's Universal Register, or, American and British Kalendar, For The Year 1776 [with:] Plan of the City of New York](https://storage.googleapis.com/raremaps/img/small/92336.jpg)
![(New York City - Photograph) [Original 19th-Century Photograph: Western Union Telegraph, Post Office, Tribune Building] View from the 'Equitable Insurance' Building, due North, looking up Broadway](https://storage.googleapis.com/raremaps/img/small/108180.jpg)
![[ Battle of Long Island ] Sketch of General Grants Position on Long Island . . .](https://storage.googleapis.com/raremaps/img/small/102979.jpg)
