New York isn't all neck straining skyscrapers. The tip of Manhattan is the legacy of Dutch settlement in the 1600s.
No better way to start a tour than with a 4 dollar breakfast...
The instrument is set on a Borough President of Manhattan monument. The castings of which are abundant enough, but nearly every one is rusted shut over the 80 years since being set.
This one is at Coenties slip. The road used to actually be a boat slip.
This area is a nightmare for boundary. But I don't have to worry about those things. Here's a few pics of the local blocklines.
It's so tough down here that the property owners place these in the sidewalks...
But, if you know about the survey history you can find things that help. So the boys stroll down Stone street towards Mill Lane.
Drop the bag...
And find these...
Here's a job I wish I had bid on...
Here's a city map showing location of building line in relation to old survey lines.
A map showing coordinates and set monuments for the center of the Court House.
It's always good when you come across the old sidewalks.
And a visit to the old Customs House provides an elevation.
Heading up Broadway to Wall street takes us past the bulls butt, a very popular spot. Notice how well polished certain parts have become.
The full frontal...
Heading towards Jay street.
The view back to our "trig pillar".
Can you find the plug?
Barclay street at West street.
Which takes us back home.
Post your plat when it's done!
Please!
N
Thanks,
Fantastic post.
Thanks. This is a great way to start may day.
I half expected to see Casey Neistat tool by on his skate board.
Awesome pics! What's the significance of the center of the courthouse? Is that a point of commencement?
Curious about the date of the historical map.?
Or is that the current GIS map. : )
Instead of (or sidewalks) in the post title, "Concrete Canyon" would have been appropriate
Thank you! Great post, I wish I would of kept a photo journal of my past jobs. Jp
The historical breakdown is from city surveys between 1912 and 1915, but I think it's dated 1917.
And brick gulleys would be slightly more appropriate.
😀
Excellent pics. Could you explain the marks on the wall in picture 10 for somebody from a different country. Are the upside down T and square some sort of benchmark?
The T is a benchmark. The box is where the city tied into the building by dimensions from their base lines.
Great post!
Old sidewalks....a too often overlooked but important piece of evidence
what do you think happened in and near lots 63 and 81, on block 27? several slim triangles are drawn in brown. maybe corrective instruments or lot line adjustments?
great looking plat/worksheet and exciting finds in the field
Great photos Scott - Thanks!
You said in the OP that "New York isn't all neck straining skyscrapers.", but thats what all us Country Boy's see... It's fascinating to see the different environments we work in!
Thanks for the pics. That first picture sure was a funny looking breakfast burrito (morning staple for field work in West Texas). Did you get it at the convenience store or a mom & pop shop like Garcia's? I go back and forth between lingua or barbacoa.
What do the symbols mean, on the pic "Stone Street 2" mean?
the rectangle, and the inverted T?
Thanks!
N
@ Andy. Sorry, just thought it was a cool map and I needed monuments and coordinates.
@ Nate. The inverted T is a benchmark and the box a point the borough survey used to tie building to street lines.
Moe, which block 27?
Got to love a city that has multiple blocks with the same numbers.
Heck, we got 5 block 29s...
Example of borough survey ties to buildings.
That was a fun excursion through a bit of your world that in no way resembles mine. Thank you, Scott. You're a good man.
And not a single fence post to argue about...
🙁