Lake and Bow Bridge, Central Park

Construction of the Central Park began in 1857. Lakes replaced old swamps. The park's first areas opened to the public in late 1858.

According to Shannon, in 1868, visitors could reach Central Park by hackney coaches, which stood at all times, Sundays included, at Fifty-ninth Street, from Fifth to Seventh Avenue; Seventy second Street, between Eighth and Ninth avenues; west side of Fifth Avenue, between Seventy-first and Seventy-second streets; and in One Hundred and Tenth Street, between Fifth and Eighth avenues. The rates of fare to be charged for the use of such coaches was as follows: all around the Park, with the privilege of keeping the coach two hours, four dollars; principal parts of the Park, three dollars; to casino and lake and return, two dollars; when engaged by the hour, two dollars per hour; when for three or more hours, each one dollar and fifty cents per hour.

Original title: Central Park - The Lake and The Bow Bridge. Engraving published in the Manual of the Corporation of the City of New York, 1868, by Joseph Shannon (Clerk of the Common Council).