Page images
PDF
EPUB

PARKS, DRIVES AND STATUES-MANHATTAN AND BRONX-Continued.

in British prison ships during the Revolutionary, to death, the sculptor being J. Massey Rhind. The

war.

Mazzini-A bronze bust of Giuseppe Mazzini, presented to New York by Italian residents; in Central Park on the West Drive; unveiled in 1878. Moore Bronze bust of the poet, Central Park, near 5th av. entrance; unveiled 1880.

Morse-Life size bronze statue of Professor S. F. B. Morse, the inventor of the telegraph, in Central Park, near 5th av. and 72d st. entrance; unveiled 1871.

Obelisk, the-This monolith, relic of an age dating back more than fifteen centuries before the birth of Christ, was presented to New York by the late Ismail Pasha, Khedive of Egypt. It is of granite, about 70 feet long and weighs 200 tons. Special machinery for its removal was constructed. It was erected in Central Park, near the Art Museum, in 1877.

Peter Cooper-Bronze life size statue of Peter Cooper, junction of 3d and 4th avs.; unveiled 1897.

structure is of granite almost as light as marble. The sarcophagus is of brilliant reddish porphyry, and is in the crypt immediately under the center of the dome. A place is reserved for Mrs. Grant, and there is a stairway leading down to the resting place. The dedication of the tomb took place April 27, 1897.

Staten Island Driveways.

As a builder and maintainer of good roads, Staten Island stands pre-eminently in the foreground. Under the provisions of a special law of 1890 (Chapter 555), eighty-five miles of improved roads have been completed, and there is still under contract about fifteen miles more, which will be constructed during the year 1899. The roads thus far constructed are of the Telfordmacadam and macadam classes, more especially of the latter. The mileage of roads has been

Schiller-Bronze bust of the poet. in the Ram-
ble at Central Park; unveiled 1839.
Scott-Bronze statue of Sir Walter Scott; Central fairly we divided among the five towns.
Park, on the Mall; unveiled 1872.

Seventh Regiment-A bronze figure to commemorate the regiment's dead during the civil war; Central Park on the West Drive; unveiled 1874. Seward-Bronze statue of the American statesman, William H. Seward; Madison Square Park; unveiled 1876.

Shakespeare-Bronze statue of the great dramatist: Central Park, lower end of the Mall; unveiled 1872.

Sims-Bronze statue of the eminent American surgeon, James Marion Sims; unveiled in Bryant Park in 1894.

Stuyvesant-Marble effigy of Governor Peter Stuyvesant, in the outer wall of St. Mark's

[merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

General U. S. Grant died July 23, 1885. Ground was broken for the magnificent tomb April 27, 1891 The corner stone was laid by President Harrison April 27, 1892. The location is on the Riverside Drive and 123d st., Manhattan. The cost was between $500,000 and $600,000 and the money was raised by voluntary contributions of 90,000 donors, varying in amount from 1 cent to $1,000 each. The measurements of the structure are 90 feet each side of the square. It is built according to what is called the Grecian Doric order, and has portico steps 70 feet wide. The square structure is surmounted by a cornice and parapet 72 feet high. Above this rises a circular cupola 70 feet in diameter, terminating in a pyramidal top 150 feet above the grade and 280 feet above the Hudson River. The interior shapes the outline of a cross 76 feet in greatest dimension. Piers of masonry at the four corners are connected by arches forming recesses. The arches rise 50 feet above the floor, and on them rises an open circular gallery surmounted by a paneled dome 105 feet above the floor level. The plane and round surfaces are decorated with sculpture in alto relievo, representing scenes in Grant's career from birth

The im

con

County has issued bonds to pay for this proved road system to the amount of $1,215,000, and the cost of cleaning, sprinkling, patching and repairing of roads, bridges and culverts is about $73,000 per annum. The roads are structed and maintained under the personal supervision of Henry P. Morrison, Deputy Commissioner and Chief Engineer of the Borough of Richmond. The entire mileage of roads is stationed off in fifty foot lengths, and is daily patrolled by inspectors,

The towns of Northfield, Middletown, Southfield and Westfield (now known as the Second. Third, Fourth and Fifth Wards respectively) made arrangements, while under the old County government, for the construction of about forty-four miles of macadam roads, which are now in course of construction, and the town of Southfield also provided for the building of a boulevard, to run parallel with the shore for seven and one-half miles. Staten Island has but few public parks. Stapleton and Port Richmond each has one. There is in contemplation, however, the establishment of an extensive public park at Silver Lake. A commission was appointed by the Governor, in 1898, to make arrangements for this improvement.

How to Obtain a Discharge From the
U. S. Army.

Enlisted men of the Regular and Volunteer Army who desire to procure a discharge from the United States service should address a letter to the Adjutant-General of the Army etting forth the reaSons upon which they base their applications and hand or mail it to the captain of their company, who in turn is required to forward it through regimental, brigade and division headquarters with his recommendation. Applications that do not come up in this manner will not be entertained. All applications must be forwarded immediately, approved or disapproved.

Soldiers transferred from one regiment to another and soldiers going on furlough, other than sick furloughs from hospitals, perform the journey at their own expense and can not be furnished government transportation.

About Flags,

To strike the flag" is to lower the national colors in token of submission. Dipping the flag is lowering it slightly and then hoisting it to salute either a vessel or a fort. A flag of truce is a white flag.

A black flag is a sign of piracy. Yellow flag shows a vessel to be in quarantine, or is the sign of a contagious disease. A flag at half-mast means mourning. Flags are used as the symbol of rank and command, the officers using them being called flag officers. Such flags are square, to distinguish them from other banners.

The red flag is a sign of defiance, often used by revolutionists. In the American service it is a mark of danger and shows a vessel to be receiving or discharging her powder.

The white flag with a red cross is a sign of

peace.

THE WATER FRONT.

Brooklyn. The length of Brooklyn's water frontage is thirty-three miles and extends from the head of Newtown Creek along the East River, around Red Hook Point into Gowanus Bay and along Gowanus and Bay Ridge shores to Fort Hamilton, around the reservation into Gravesend Bay, along Bath Beach, Bensonhurst and Gravesend Beach, around Coney Island, into and around Sheepshead Bay, into and around Jamaica Bay and along the full extent of Rockaway Beach, including all intermediate creeks and canals, a good depth of water prevailing for the greater part of the distance. The portion bordering on the East River and eastern shore of New York Bay is lined with docks and wharves for every description of craft, storehouses, grain elevators, sugar refineries, oil refineries, iron milis, saw mills, ship and spar yards and the buildings and appointments of many boat, yacht, athletic and country clubs which represent the outlay of hundreds of millions of dollars. Between S. 5th and S. 6th sts. are located the tower piers and anchorage of the new East River Bridge to Manhattan. There are thirteen landings for ferries from Manhattan along the Brooklyn frontage on the East River, distributed between 39th st., South Brooklyn, and College Point.

PALMER'S DOCKS-The area embraced between N. 10th and N. 4th sts., Kent av. and the East River, with a shore frontage of upward of 1,800 feet, has located upon it several extensive enterprises. The largest and most important of these is the manufactory of the Brooklyn Cooperage Company. Between N. 8th and N. 9th sts. are located wharves, elevated railways, platforms and pockets, fitted with every mechanical device for receiving, handling, storing and delivering coal. There is storage room for 35,000 tons of coal and the business in this line amounts to upward of 350,000 tons annually. The block between N. 9th and N. 10th sts. is appropriated to a depot for the receipt and shipment of general freight. At the storehouses are accommodated the wholesale hay and straw markets, which supply the greater part of the forage, consumed in Brooklyn. Adjoining the depot, at the river end, is a mill from which 100 tons of ground feed can be turned out daily. Connected with the mill is an elevator, with a storage capacity of 500,000 bushels.

With the exception of the business done by the Pennsylvania Railroad on the block between N. 4th and N. 5th sts., the entire space between N. 4th and N. 10th sts., Kent av. and the East River, is occupied by railroad terminals and cooperage. The railroads terminating at New York harbor and from and to which cars are transported to the docks are: N. Y. Central and Hudson River, West Shore, N. Y., Lake Erie and Western, Lehigh Valley and Central Railroad of New Jersey, and their connecting lines; Central Vermont, New York. Ontario and Western, Norfolk and Western and Kanawha Dispatch. The business of these lines, both east and west bound, excluding coal, averages about 5,000,000 pounds of freight daily. In addition there is carried from the pier at N. 7th st. freight designed for the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad and its fast freight lines, Old Dominion Steamship Company. People's line of steamers for Albany, Citizens' line of steamers for Troy, Murray's line of steamships and barges for Albany and Troy, Norwich line for points on N. Y. and New England Railroad, Central Vermont Railroad and its connections and Mallory line to Gal

veston.

SUGAR REFINERIES-Sugar refining is one of the most important industries in Brooklyn. Formerly it was distributed among many individual and competing interests which of late years have been harmonized and brought under consolidated control under the title of the American Sugar Refining Company, commonly known as the "Sugar Trust." The largest refinery of the combination, which is the largest in the world, covers the water frontage from S. 1st to S. 5th sts.. as well as several squares on the east side of Kent av. This refinery treats 2,000 tons of raw sugar per day. producing 12,000 barrels of the refined product. The Greenpoint refinery is the most modern of all the sugar plants. Its capacity is 7,000 barrels per day. The Mollenhauer sugar house, at the foot of S. 11th st.. was built in 1892 and is independent of the "Trust.' The latest sugar refinery constructed on the Brooklyn side of the

East River is that of Arbuckle Bros., at John st., which is equipped with all modern appliances for speedy and extensive production. Half the sugar consumed in the United States is refined in Brooklyn.

Between S. 11th and Little sts. is Wallabout Bay and channel, constituting the water front of the United States Navy Yard and Wallabout Market.

BROOKLYN WHARF AND WAREHOUSE CO. -Between Main st and the Erie Basin, on Gowanus Bay, is embraced the most valuable property and works on the East River front, among them, near the junction of Water and Fulton st6., being the eastern piers of the New York and Brooklyn Suspension Bridge. For many years the docks along this shore have been used by a majority of the steamships and sailing vessels which find berths in Brooklyn, the various inward and outward cargoes of which are delivered to the storehouses or received from the grain elevators. These stores and the wharfs adjoining are now united under the control and management of one company-the "Brooklyn Wharf and Warehouse Company," the total capital of which is $30,000,000, and the property owned and leased by it extends along the shore for the distance of two and threequarter miles. This company has built a terminal railway upon the bulkhead in front of its warehouses, connecting with the largest of the trunk lines, which facilitates quick service in the receipt and shipment of merchandise, and four locomotives are constantly employed in shifting cars on the various divisions of its property. Beside the other vesse.s, the steamships of fifty regular lines dock at the wharves of this company.

GRAIN ELEVATORS-The port of New York is one of the largest grain handling ports in the world and Brooklyn warehouses store four-fifths of the grain brought to its harbor. The capacity of the Brooklyn grain elevators is upward of 20,000,000 bushels. The largest, Dow's, at Columbia and Pacific sts., contains huge bins, shoots and six miles of rubber belts thirty inches wide, operated by two 400-horse power engines. The grain is transferred from the canal boats in which it is brought to tide water to the bins, thence on the belts to every part of the building and ultimately by a conveyor to the final place of deposit. Following are the estimated capacities of the Brooklyn Wharf and Warehouse Company elevators, of which the McCormack elevator, on Commercial Wharf, has been remodeled into a railroad elevator with latest improved machinery for economizing time.

Name and location.

Nos. 2 to 16, Commercial Wharf..| Nos. 51 to 59, Commercial Wharf. Nos. 6 to 11, Clinton Wharf...... Nos. 70 to 92, South Pier... Columbia Stores, ft. Atlantic av... Dow's Stores, ft. Pacific st..

Storage Transfer capacity capacity bush. per hour.

Beard's Stores, Erie Basin... Woodruff's Stores, ft. Joralemon st Commercial, Atlantic dock.... Francis E. Pinto's Atlantic dock.. Iron Elevator, ft. Degraw st... Watson's, Furman st...

Total

[blocks in formation]

OTHER ELEVATORS. Bowne's, Gowanus Canal... Beyer's, ft. Taylor st... Shaw & Truesdell's, Second st....... 100,000 Hecker-Jones-Jewell Mfg. ft.. Co., Fulton st.

Total

600,000 3,000 150,000 6.500 2,000 20,000 4,000

870,000 15,500

Beside those mentioned in the foregoing table a large number of floating elevators are constantly at work at piers which have no permanent elevators, and add from five to six millons to the storage capacity of the city, as well as between thirty-five and forty thousand bushels per hour transfer capacity.

INDEPENDENT STORES AND BUSH DOCKSFoot of 41st, 42d and 43d sts., have two piers, 30x 1,000 and 260x1,000; of the latter 100x900 ft. is cov ered, being the largest covered pier in the Port of New York. The company has six four-story and four six-story warehouses, with a floor space of 600,000 sq. ft. Entire plant is of recent construction.

THE WATER FRONT-BROOKLYN-Continued.

THE ATLANTIC BASIN-Under the control of the Brooklyn Wharf and Warehouse Company, is situated near Hamilton Ferry, nearly opposite Governor's Island. Vessels can enter it in any stage of tide. It covers an area of 40 acres, has brick and granite warehouses on three sides and contains four piers, beside the two bulkheads which form the basin and are known as the North and South piers. Three of the inside piers are covered and are 700, 800 and 900 feet in length, respectively, by 75 and 85 feet in width. The longest, designated as South Central, is the most extensive in this port. A float bridge with railroad tracks enables the transfer of cars brought by floats from any railroad terminal on the harbor to the tracks which ramify each pier and bulkhead of the basin. The freight thus brought is thereby delivered to storehouse or vessel without bulk being broken between shipment and delivery. This basin is the largest grain depot in the world and is equipped with seven elevators. Its fromage line of bulkheads and piers measure three miles. The entrance to the basin is 200 feet wide.

THE ERIE BASIN-Now operated under lease by the Brooklyn Wharf and Warehouse Company, commences at the inset of Gowanus Bay and Gowanus Canal, at Van Brunt st., covers about 100 acres of the bay and is protected by a mile in length of breakwater, semi-circular in form, terminating at Columbia st. Along its northern interior are located the great Erie Basin Dry Docks, Crane's Dry Docks and Gokey & Hilton's Dry Docks. It contains two large covered piers and eight smaller open piers, stores for grain having capacity of over 3,000,000 bushels and stores for general merchandise. Of the latter, two are used for the storage of nitrate of soda, chloride of potash, saltpeter and similar substances and are the only stores in the city which receive that character of merchandise. In the basin are received the great ocean rafts of timber from Maine and other northern forests as well as much sawed lumber. Many vessels of all descriptions are laid up in this basin for repairs or to winter. Every autumn from 500 to 700 canal boats seek its protection upon the closing of the Erie and other canals and the crews and their families form a colony of from 2 000 to 3,000 persons. Many of the boats are grain laden and retain their cargoes on storage at an average rate of cent per bushel per month. On account of the great quantities of grain transferred in the basin it is made the headquarters of many floating grain elevators.

BROOKLYN DRY DOCKS-The Erie Basin Dry Docks of Brooklyn, among the largest in the United States, were opened to public use in 1866. The chamber of No. 1 dock is 510 feet in length, 112 feet wide at the top and 50 feet at bottom. No. 2 dock is 610 feet long, 124 feet wide at top and 60 feet at bottom. Most of the iron ships that require docking in this port are hauled up on these docks. It was here the Celtic and Britannic were repaired after their collision. At the foot of Court and Clinton sts. are the shipyards of C. & R. Poillon, remarkable for yacht and pilot boat building. Also the marine railways of Downing & Lawrence. The Burtis Marine Railway is at the foot of Conover st.

BROOKLYN SHIP YARDS.

Brooklyn is noted for its many ship yards, where famous ships have been built. The principal work In that line nowadays is the building of immense railroad floats and scows at Crane's yard in the Erie Basin, and the building of pilot boats and yachts at Poillon's yards. Ayres' yard, foot of 55th st., and H. C. Wintringham's are known for the construction of boats. steam and naphtha launches and steam and sail yachts. Leary's ship yard, on Newtown Creek, near Eagle st., is also another busy place in the same line.

[blocks in formation]

portance. Among them are Bath Beach and Bensonhurst on Gravesend Bay; West Brighton, Brighton Beach, Manhattan Beach and Point Breeze on Coney Island; Sheepshead Bay on the bay of that name; Bergen Beach and Canarsie on Jamaica Bay, and Rockaway Beach, Arverne, Wave Crest, Isle of Wight and Far Rockaway on the farther ocean front embraced in the Greater New York, from the eastern limit of which to the western shore of Staten Island the width of the new city is nearly thirty miles.

Manhattan.

HUDSON RIVER SHORE LINE.

The water front of New York City, which borders for seven-eighths of its boundaries upon the Atlantic Ocean, Long Island Sound, the bays and estuaries which put in from those bodies of water and the Hudson River, has been ascertained by the Department of Docks of the City to be 450 lineal miles. The water frontage on the Hudson River side begins at the Battery. The first feature of interest is the Castle Garden Building, in which is now established by the city an aquarium open daily and free to the public. Next northward is Pier A, occupied by the Department of Docks, which has exclusive supervision over all the wharf privileges of the city. Adjoining is fire station No. 57, the headquarters of the fire-boat system of the Manhattan Fire Department. From there northward on various piers and bulkheads are established extensive terminal and highly developed facilities for the receipt and handling of freight brought or dispatched by the railroads terminating on New York harbor. Also conveniences for the many thousands of passengers and the freight by ferries, ocean going steamships and river steamboats, which berth on that side of the city, particulars of which appear under appropriate classification in this book. At W. 10th st. and vicinity is the principal oyster and clam market of the city. The largest meat and general produce market-West Washington-is at Gansevoort and W. 13th sts. From W. 14th to W. 22d sts. are the landing places of the ice and lumber companies, having depots and yards in contiguous streets. From W. 29th to W. 38th st. the frontage is occupied by an immense freight depot of the N. Y. Central and Hudson River Railroad Co., and freight landings of the West Shore, N. Y., Ontario and Western and Pennsylvania railroads. On this stretch, in addition to the other freight, is received the bulk of the hay and straw brought to the city. The piers and bulkheads from there progressively are occupied by the Western Stock Yard Co., Consolidated Gas Co., Knickerbocker Ice Co., N. Y., Lake Erie and Western Railway Co., Consolidated Canal and Lake Co., Union Stock Yard and Market Co., Eastman's Co. and individual interests to W. 59th st. Between W. 59th and W. N. Y. Central and Hudson River Railroad Co., 72d sts. is another great freight terminal of the connected with which are nine piers, two grain elevators, stock yards and abattoir. From W. 72d to W. 129th sts. the river is overlooked by Riverside Park, the shore line for that distance and to W. 158th st. being occupied by individual and corporate interests of varying importance. W. 130th st. is the landing place of the ferry from Fort Lee, New Jersey. At W. 219th st. is the mouth of the Spuyten Duyvil Creek and the Harlem Canal, which connects the Hudson and Harlem rivers. Mount St. Vincent, fifteen miles from the City Hall, is the northern limit of the city. From this point to the southern extremity of Staten Island the air line length of New York City, from north to south, is upward of 35 miles.

EAST RIVER SHORE LINE.

The point of land lying between the Hudson and East rivers, at the southern extremity of Manhattan, is occupied by the public park known as the Battery. At the southeast corner of Battery Park is located the ferry to Liberty Island, the Barge office, a department of the customs, a bureau of immigration, office of the U. S. Marine Hospital, ship news office and ferry to Governor's Island. Next, on the East River, is the ferry to Staten Island. Adjoining are the ferries to Hamilton av.. Atlantic av. and 39th st., Brooklyn, the three occupying the space to Pier 3, East River, upon which is located the Quartermaster's Department of the U. S. Army. From ferrics.

freight terminals of canals

these

and

THE WATER FRONT-MANHATTAN-Continued.

of

brings the shore line down to Newtown Creek, which is the northern boundary of Brooklyn,

Be-light

Staten Island.

house establishment at Tompkinsville. The adjoining 800 feet belong to the American Docks' corporation, which has four great piers and ten extensive warehouses. Beyond Tompkinsville about one mile of the shore is owned by the Rapid Transit Co., on its own account or as lessee of the Staten Island Railway Co.; 1,800 feet by the estate of George Bechtel, and another long stretch by A. B. Stickney, of St. Paul, Minnesota, President of the Chicago Great Western Railway Co., acquired with the view of establishing a terminal for the freight of the railroad, via lake and canal connections. The succeeding 4.00 feet of the water front down to the U. S. Government fortifications are held by small private owners. The remainder of the shore to the waters of the lower bay is the property of the State of New York and the United States and occupied by the quarantine station and the fortifications on that side of the Narrows. South of the Narrows is South Beach, a stretch of two miles, now used as a seaside resort. Adjoining is Midland Beach, recently enlarged in development. One steam and two electric railroads, local and from Newark and Elizabeth, N. J., have terminals at this beach. too. Along this shore to the bay Great Kills the water is shallow. Beyond Great Kills the depth increases. At Prince's Bay the White Dental Co. has a large manufactory. At Tottenville, the ex

railroads, steamship, steamboat and other vessel landings take up the space to Wall st., from which there is a ferry to Montague st., Brooklyn, At Fulton st. there is another ferry to Brooklyn, Between Fulton and Beekman sts. is loAt St. George, five thousand feet of the water cated the principal wholesale fish market front is owned by the Staten Island Rapid Tranthe city. At Roosevelt st. are established the sit Railroad Co., on which is established the ferry western piers of the great suspension bridge which landing and depot of that company. Also the connects Manhattan and Brooklyn. Between Mar- freight terminals of the Baltimore and Ohio Railket and Pike sis. are pontoon dry docks of great road Co. The latter has lately been augmented to capacity. At Clinton st. is a sectional dry dock. double its original capacity. In 1897 the company Between Broome and Delancey sts. is located the paid the Rapid Transit Co. over $500,000 for trackanchorage of the new East River bridge to Brook-age, at the rate of one cent per ton per mile. lyn in course of construction. The piers of this Adjoining these terminals is the property of the structure on the Manhattan side are fully com- United States Government, appropriated to the pleted and the anchorage is well advanced. tween E. 26th and 28th sts. the water front is embraced in the possessions of Bellevue Hospital, a free public institution of New York City. Conne ted with the hospital are ferries to Blackwell's, Randall's, Ward's and Hart's islands. At E. 34th st. the ferry to Long Island City provides connection with the Long Island Railroad system. From E. 34th to E. 84th st., excepting at E. 71st st., where the tunnel bored under the East River from Ravenswood, L. I., by the East River Gas Co., reaches Manhattan, the shore front is used in small local interests, landings for ice boats, brewers' Ice and malt houses, etc. Between E. 84th and E. 89th sts., East River Park takes in the water front and land to Avenue B. E. 89th to E. 90th st. embraces the Roman Catholic institution, Home of the Good Shepherd. E. 92d st. is the landing of the ferry to Astoria, L. I. At E. 99th st. is a ferry to College Point, L. I. At E. 127th st. is the outlet into the East River of the Harlem River. The features of note on the Harlem River are the bridges, some of which are draw or swivel, at 3d av., those of the N. Y. and Harlem and N. Y. and Northern railroads, Washington Bridge, High Bridge, on which the Croton aqueduct crosses the Harlem River and High Bridge Park, which borders for a considerable distance the west side of the river. North of the eastern outlet of the Harlem River, and continu-treme southern point of the Island, on Raritan ing out into the head of Long Island Sound is Bay, are brickmaking and terra cotta works and Port Morris, where is located a freight and trans- other industries. Northward at Rossville, on Statfer terminal of a branch of the N. Y., New en Island Sound, is the ultramarine manufactory Haven and Hartford Railroad, at which boats of Louis De Jonge & Co. Next. at Linoleumville. take the cars of that railroad and transfer them are large manufactories of the floor covering from to the Pennsylvania Railroad at Jersey City, N. which the place derives its name. From there a J.. the on west shore of the Hudson. with- wide expanse of salt marsh borders the Sound to out disturbing passengers or breaking freight bulk. the place a: which is established the abutment Some two miles beyond Port Morris the Bronx of the Arthur Kids railroad bridge, which conRiver, the limit of city improvements on the east nects the states of New Jersey and New York side, empties into Long Island Sound. From that about a mile west of Elizabethport. This bridge to Throgs Neck the shore consists chiefly of is free, and therefore accessible to all the ten salt marshes. At Thogs Neck is located Fort trunk lines of railroads west of the Hudson River. Schuyler, a powerful defense of this approach to Three miles further on, at Mariner's Harbor, is the city. Salt marshes again border much of located the largest flouring mill in the Eastern the shore in this section, and on to Pelham, the States included in the Jones-Hecker-Jewell synnorthern limit on this side of New York City. cate; also the Dean Linseed oil mills, the most From there across the sound the New York City importan: in the linseed oi trust. On Shooters' line takes its course to Long Island, reaching the Island in the Sound is the Standard Oil Company's land at Little Neck, on the east side of Little packing factory. Next comes the Jewett white Neck Бау. On the western side of the bay, jut-lead mills at Port Richmond, the largest conting out into the Sound and closely approaching tributor of goods to the white lead trust. Throgs Neck. is Willet's Point, which is also the Benlee ship building establishment with its strongly fortified, and with its compan- late large additions and J. H. Starin's vessel ion, Fort Schuyler. is believed to con- repairing shop. Further along, at West New stitute impassable an barrier to hostile Brighton, is C. W. Hunt's portable railway Whitestone, College Point approach. and manufactory. At the end of another mile is Flushing line the shore to Flushing Bay. At Bow- Sailors' Snug Harbor. The income of this instiery Bay an attractive summer resort, called North tution now amounts to $1,000 per day. Between Beach, has been created. West of Bowery Bay this point and St. George there remains but New is the village of Steinway. Astoria and Ravens- Brighton, at which several industries are proswood fill up the space to Long Island City, where ecuted. chief among them being the plaster mis there extensive petroleum refineries, paint, of J. B. King & Co., by which are reduced to varnish and other manufactories and numerous commercial conditions millions of tons of Nova piers for the shipping, connected with those in- Scotia plaster rock brought by vessels direct from dustries. western terminus of the the mines. The circuit of the island water front Island Railroad is also located at this city. This aggregates about fifty miles.

are

The

Brooklyn.

Long

MARKETS.

FORT GREENE PLACE, between Atlantic av. and Hanson pl., adjoining the Brooklyn terminus of the Long Island Railroad, is the location of distributing branches of the great Western dressed meat and packing houses; also of dealers exteneively engaged in distributing poultry to retailers. HUDSON AVENUE SHAMBLES-The west side

Also

of Hudson av., between Tillary and Concord ets. is the site of the slaughtering houses, at which 250,000 head of cattle, sheep, lambs and calves are prepared for market and sold annually.

JOHNSON AVENUE SHAMBLES-Johnson av.. between White and Bogert sts., are important cattle and hog slaughtering and meat selling estab bishments. The output is the largest in the city.

PLYMOUTH MARKET-Est. 1875. Private prop

MARKETS-Continued.

erty. Now situated at cor. Henry and Orange sts. Business retail.

WALLABOUT MARKET-For the detailed history of this market see Brooklyn Daily Eagle Almanac for 1896. Established by the city, Oct., 1884, on land of the Navy Yard Reservation, rented from the United States Government. Location, Flushing and Washington ave. Fee of the land, 17 85-100 acres, secured Nov., 1891; consideration, $700,000. Additional lands. 27 15-100 acres, west of Washington av., from Flushing av. to the East River, purchased from the National Government June, 1894. Consideration. $1,208,666. The latter tract is being developed into a canal, pier and warehouse system for vessels engaged in the food supply traffic. Facilities for railroad cars to bring freight to the market without breaking buik will also be embraced. In May, 1894, the city authorities and market people, acting conjointly, effected from the New York State Legislature the enactment of a law, chapter 569, which provided for the future administration of the market interests, and authorized the city authorities to issue upon lots rented five years' leases, with privilege of two renewals of similar duration at rates adjustable at the commencement of each term. The leases issued under this law required the erection of substantial buildings of brick, stone and iron, uniform in external design, at the outlay of the lessees; the buildings at the termination of the leases to revert to the city upon payment of their appraised values. During the years 1895-6 the buildings were constructed and are regarded as comprehending the nearest conception possible at the present time of perfect adaptation to their respective uses. The improvements on the east side of Washington av, during 1897-8 have been the construction of buildings on several additional lots rented and the completion of the market office building, for the accommodation of the market officers, health department, telegraph station, etc., the gift to the market of ex-Commissioner of City Works Alfred T. White, under whose administration the reconstruction of the market was instituted, and chiefly carried out. There has also been additions to the paved area of the plaza appropriated to the use of the wagons of farmers in the sale of market garden produce. Of the work on the west side of Washington av. the Wallabout basin is practically completed; the bulkhead wall surrounding the same having been finished during the past year. The total dredging or excavation, giving a depth of about sixteen feet at low water over almost the entire basin, has amounted to 640,000 cubic yards, accomplished at the cost of $127,000. The bulkhead wail along the south and West sides of the basin, 1,680 feet in length, has cost $157,000, and the wall along the easterly side of the basin, some 1,080 feet long, $90,000. These walls add a mooring frontage of over half a mile in length to the city's wharfage room. Piers will be built into the basin from the easterly bulkhead as business requires. The lease of one of the piers to the Pennsylvania Railroad Company at the annual rental of $12,000 to enable the delivery of freight by that railroad to the market without intermediate handling has been agreed to by Comptroller Coler. The preparation of the pier for the service will involve the outlay by the city of $40,000 and of $100,000 by the railroad company.

The business of the market is distributed to retail dealers, and is estimated to aggregate at least $25,000,000 a year in the value of commodities handled. A considerable portion of such amount is contributed by the market gardeners of Long Island, who dispose of their vegetables in the square of the market set apart for their use, and in which 546 wagon loads of such produce were sold on a Saturday in the summer of 1897. Revenue to the city as per report of fiscal year closing November 30, 1897-From lot rents, $42,046.65; from farmer's fees, $3,531.

Under the changed condition of the city government the revenue of 1898 from the markets will not be reported until the commencement of the new year. It will, though, in this market, not vary greatly from that received in 1897, through the lot rents being enlarged from new leases and farmers' fees reduced by smaller yield in crops. through the season's unfavorable weather upon agriculture.

VEGETABLE MARKET-On Bushwick av., at the western terminus of the Montauk division of

the Long Island Railroad. are located commission and wholesale dealers in Long Island produce.

Manhattan.

CATHARINE MARKET-City property. Est. 1786. Bounded by Catharine, Cherry and South sts, and Catharine slip. Business, distributing to retailers and retailing, the latter chiefly to vessels docking in the vicinity. Revenue to the city from rents, $4,939. Est.

CENTRAL MARKET-Private property. 1867. Bounded by 7th av., Broadway and W. 47th st. Business retail.

CENTRE MARKET-City property. Est. 1817. Bounded by Centre, Grand, Orange and Broome sts. Business distributing to retailers and retail. A portion of this market is occupied by the Second District Civil Court. Lease of the remainder for a term of years sold at auction at $1,500 annual rent.

Lo

CLINTON MARKET-City property. Est. 1829. Bounded by Canal, Spring. Washington and West sts. Business, distributing to retailers and retail. Revenue to the city from rents, $7.401.75. COLUMBUS MARKET-Private property. cated at 7th av. and W. 124th st. Business, retail. FULTON MARKET-City property. Est. 1821. Bounded by Fulton, Beekman, Front and South sts. Business, wholesale and retail. Revenue to the city from rents, $43,618.

FULTON FISH MARKET-The building is the property of an association which pays $1,200 annual rent for the bulkhead occupied by it on the east side of South st, between Fulton and Beekman sts., opposite Fulton general market. Business, exclusively sea food at wholesale. HARLEM MARKET-Private property. Opened 1891. Bounded by ist av., EX 1024 and 1034 sts, and Avenue A. Business, distributing to retailers. Has also an open square in which market gardeners stand their wagons and sell their vegetables direct from their farms.

JEFFERSON MARKET-City property. Est. 1832-3. Bounded by 6th av., Greenwich av. and W. 10th st. Business, distributing to retailers and retail. Revenue to the city from rents $9,064.50. MANHATTAN MARKET-Property of the N. Y. Central and Hudson River Railroad Co. Bounded by 11th av., W. 34th and 35th sts. and 12th av. Originally established in 1871 by the city at a cost of $3,000,000. Consumed by fire in 1879. Site sold to present owner a few years later, by which present buildings were erected. Business, wholesale and distributing to retailers, both meats and vegetables.

TOMPKINS MARKET-City property. Est. 1828. Bounded by 33 av., E. 6th and 7th and Hall sts. The greater part of the building is occupied for an armory by the 69th Regt., N. G. N. Y. Business, on ground floor, wholesale meat dealers, distributing to retailers. Revenue to the city from rents, $7.105.88.

WASHINGTON MARKET-City property. Est. 1813. Bounded by Washington, West, Fulton and Vesey sts. Present structure erected in 1880. Business, wholesale and retail. Revenue to the city from rents, $80,348.75 by last report. The reduction of 20 per cent. from the amount of rents previously charged in this market to take effect September 21, 1898, was ordered by the City Comptroller.

WEST WASHINGTON MARKET-City property. Originally an auxiliary of Washington Market, located on bulkhead and wharves of Hudson River, opposite that market and between Dey and Barclay sts. Moved to Washington and West sts. and 13th av., between Gansevoort and W. 12th sts., in 1889. Market for meats and vegetables, that portion between West st. and 13th av., while space between West and Washington sts. is left open for the standing of wagons of market gardeners in the sale of their vegetables. Nearly 500 wagon loads of vegetables have been sold in this square in a single day. Business, wholesale and distributing to retailers. Permits to do business in this market are revocable by the Comptroller without time notice. Revenue to city last year from rents of stands, $104,699. From farmers' wagon fees, $15,381.25. This year the aggregate of the rents will be larger through there being fewer unoccupied stands, while fees from farmers will amount to less in consequence of unfavorable weather in May, reducing market gardeners' crops.

« PreviousContinue »