What's in a Name?
Streets in the Financial District
By Laurie Lewis
When the Commissioners’ Plan of 1811 laid out the numbered streets and avenues of New York City north of Houston Street, the creative naming of roads came to an end. In Lower Manhattan, however, where early settlers had already named the streets, the appellations reveal much about the history of the city.
The first European settlers were the Dutch, who arrived in 1624. In 1653, concerned about a possible British invasion, the Dutch erected a wooden wall running the width of their settlement on the northern border. Over time, the wall gradually disappeared, as first the Dutch and then the English, who took control of New York City in 1664, helped themselves to wood to heat their homes and businesses. Although the last remnants of the wall were removed in 1699, it lives on in the name of perhaps the most famous street in New York.
When the Commissioners’ Plan of 1811 laid out the numbered streets and avenues of New York City north of Houston Street, the creative naming of roads came to an end. In Lower Manhattan, however, where early settlers had already named the streets, the appellations reveal much about the history of the city.
The first European settlers were the Dutch, who arrived in 1624. In 1653, concerned about a possible British invasion, the Dutch erected a wooden wall running the width of their settlement on the northern border. Over time, the wall gradually disappeared, as first the Dutch and then the English, who took control of New York City in 1664, helped themselves to wood to heat their homes and businesses. Although the last remnants of the wall were removed in 1699, it lives on in the name of perhaps the most famous street in New York.
Sample Tours
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Virtual Tour
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Walking Tour
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We've Been Writing!
From its earliest days, New York has been home to many creative, inventive people. They introduced an amazing array of innovations that were the first of their kind in the nation. Read about them in New York City Firsts, a book by Laurie Lewis. For purchasing information, see www.nycfirsts.com.
Central Park is one of the jewels of New York City. Alan Cohen wrote text to accompany full-color photographs for Central Park People. For information about purchasing the book, contact the photographer at harvey@kopel.us.
Jane's Walk 2023
The first weekend in May is the annual Jane's Walk, an international event featuring a host of free walking tours. This year we'll offer several options.
Join Laurie Lewis to explore the roots of Manhattan on Financial District: It Happened Here First. Discover New York City's first public park, first religious services, first financial institutions, and more. This walk will take place twice:
- Friday, May 5 at 3 PM
- Sunday, May 7 at 1 PM
Can't attend in person? No problem! Laurie is also offering an on-demand virtual tour called It Happened Here First: Herald Square to Madison Square. It's based on the website for her book New York City Firsts: Big Apple Innovations That Changed the Nation and the World.
For more information about Jane's Walk and to register for these events, go to https://www.mas.org/janes-walk-nyc-2023.
About "Take a Walk New York" Tours
We are a group of New York City licensed tour guides offering a New York experience that is beyond the standard fare. Let us take you on a walk through the greatest city in the world, and discover why New York is a place like no other.
