1866

Manhattan: 54th Street (West) - 5th Avenue

4 West 54th Street, south side, west of Fifth Avenue (left) showing the Rockeffer home at a time when it was the property of William P. Williams and who had completed same in the year previous. The emtpy area to the south is the property of Columbia University. They succeeded Dr. David Hosack (Botanic Gardens) in ownership in 1814. The latter had purchased it from the City for $4,807.36 in 1811. These 12 acres comprise the present Rockefeller Center. Note the absence of lamp lights and buildings at the left. St. Patricks Cathedral is shown there, under construction. This photograph is taken from St. Lukes Hospital which is on the opposite, or north side of 54th Street. Not the gate and entrance of same in the foreground. 1866 (Positive)

Photo from the New York Public Library - Milstein Collection