Broadway, New York City in the 19th Century

Broadway was the main thoroughfare in New York City, in the 19th century. Several of the early skyscrapers were built along Broadway which became a showcase for entrepreneurs, showcasing the best features of the City's architecture.

In the early 19th century, there were three churches on Broadway: the original temple of Grace Church at Rector Street, the second temple of Trinity Church, and St Paul's Chapel. The Gothic temple of Grace Church on Broadway, between Tenth and Eleventh streets, was consecrated in 1846. The Gothic temple of Trinity Church was consecrated the same year.

By 1811, Broadway ended at 10th Street, where it merged with the Bloomingdale Road, which then wandered up to near 147th Street, where it turned into the Kingsbridge Road. The Commissioners' Plan of 1811 retained Broadway and Bloomingdale Road up to 23rd Street. However, Bloomingdale Road, as far as 43rd Street, was restored in 1838, up to 71st Street in 1847, then in 1851 to 86th Street, with each section being straightened as it was restored. In 1865, it was restored all the way to Spuyten Duyvil Creek, northern Manhattan. The section below 59th Street was called Broadway, but the section from 59th to 108th Street was called The Boulevard. In 1899, the entire road was named Broadway, and the other names disappeared.

Electric lights in New York streets first appeared in 1880, on Broadway, as a demonstration by Charles F. Brush. In the 1880s, Broadway became cluttered with overhead wires and utility poles. After a legal and administrative battle, the City managed to get the companies to bury their wires about the 1890s.

This lighted street was and still is an important theater center. By the end of the century, there were more than 20 theaters on Broadway. At the beginning of the 20th century, the hottest place in New York was still Broadway, in Times Square.

More: Lower Broadway in the 19th Century ►