Bowling Green in 19th Century

Original title: Bowling Green, New York. Additional test on print: Not only to the historical student and the antiquary, may we hope, is the site interesting connected with the cradling-place of a great city. ... Illustration printed on paper from the New York Public Library (original source not identified).

This photo can be dated between 1886, when the Aldrich Court Building, later Hamburg-American Building, was completed and about 1890, when the overhead wires were buried. However, the old five-story building at 29 Broadway, corner of Morris street is missing, probably to make way for the Columbia Building erected in 1890-1891.

The Standard Oil Building (26 Broadway, in the background) was completed in 1885 and the adjoining Welles Building at 14-20 Broadway was erected about 1882. The spire of Trinity Church is seen in the distance.