Old New York from Trinity Church

Illustration of the City of New York, looking north from Trinity Church. Broadway is on the left and Wall Street is on the right. The original title is: New-York, in 1849, but the illustration, drawn by Edward B. Purcell, was registered by the engraver Stephen Weekes, in 1848, according to text on print. Publisher: Robert Sears (1810-1892). Publisher: Robert Sears (1810-1892). Source: New York Public Library.

Judging from the perspective, this illustration was taken from the tower of the third temple of Trinity Church, then the tallest structure in the City, consecrated in 1846. The tower was drawn a bit further north.

North of the Trinity Church Yard, there is the New England Hotel, built about 1844, and the City Hotel, which opened in 1795 and closed in 1849.

The old Post Office at Nassau Street was established in 1845 in the premises that formerly housed the Middle Dutch Church, on the city block bounded by Liberty Street (tower side), Nassau Street (lateral) and Cedar Street.