Old Map of Lower East Side, Manhattan by Bromley, 1879: James, Market, Pike, Rutgers Slip, Chatham Square
This exquisite map hails from 1879, a creation of the esteemed cartographer G.W. Bromley, showcasing a segment of New York City’s vibrant past. It illustrates the intricacies of Lower East Side’s Ward 10, along with parts of wards 4, 7, and 13. The map is a hand-colored lithograph that not only delineates streets and blocks with exceptional precision but also highlights the built environment of the era, including buildings, steam railways, and even the flow of original water courses.
The map is graced by Chatham Square, a pivotal historical intersection in the city, and outlines various slips such as James Slip, Market Slip, Pike Slip, and Rutgers Slip, which were integral to the maritime activities of the city’s bygone days. These slips, now mostly filled in, were once bustling with market activity and seafaring commerce, reflecting the economic dynamism of New York’s waterfront.
Bromley’s map is a testament to the urban landscape of New York City in the late 19th century, marked by its fire hydrants and street railways. One can observe the delineation of original farm lines and ward boundaries, offering a glimpse into the land divisions that predated the city’s modern layout. Water mains and block dimensions are meticulously marked, providing valuable insights into the city’s infrastructure and planning during that period.
This map, with its intricate details and annotations, serves as a historical document reflecting the era’s urban design. It indicates the precise locations of buildings and infrastructure, such as fire hydrants and railways, which were critical to the functioning of the city during that era. The presence of such detail allows historians and enthusiasts alike to reconstruct the daily lives and urban environment of New Yorkers in 1879.
While immersed in the cartographic elegance of this map, one must note that it is an artifact of its time. As such, not all modern places are depicted, and some may bear names that have since been changed or lost to history. This serves as a reminder of the ever-evolving nature of urban landscapes and the stories that maps like this one carry within their lines and labels.
Neighborhoods or Regions
- Lower East Side
- Chatham Square
Streets and Roads
- Bowery
- Christie St.
- Forysth St.
- Eldridge St.
- Allen St.
- Orchard St.
- Ludlow St.
- Essex St.
- Norfolk St.
- Suffolk St.
- Clinton St.
- Jefferson St.
- Division St.
Historic Landmarks and Parks
- James Slip
- Market Slip
- Pike Slip
- Rutgers Slip
Please double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.
This map looks great at every size, but I always recommend going for a larger size if you have space. That way you can easily make out all of the details.
This map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 70in (180cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.
The model in the listing images is holding the 24x36in (60x90cm) version of this map.
The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.
If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my collection of the best old maps to see if something else catches your eye.
Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.
This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father’s Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.
This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you’d like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.
