1931

Manhattan: Catherine Street - East Broadway

Catherine Street, west side, south from and including the Bowery, to but not including East Broadway. June 12, 1931. P. L. Sperr. The one story structure seen at the apex formed by Catherine Street (upon which it bears No. 2) and Chatham Square (No. 14) is the site of one of the early watchhouses, same being erected in 1796 by order of the Common Council. At that time there was no Police Department. There was a Watch Organization, consisting of watchmen under the supervision of constables. A similar structure was at Broad and Wall Streets.

Photo from the New York Public Library - Milstein Collection