Fifth Avenue from 31st Street

The old Fifth Avenue, New York City, south from 31st Street toward Madison Square. Illustration published in 1858 in the Nelson's Guide to the City of New York and its Neighbourhood by Thomas Nelson & Sons.

At the time, this section of 5th Avenue was mostly residential. The Marble Collegiate Church at 29th Street, on the right, was dedicated in 1854. Continue below...

Text about the Fifth Avenue from Nelson's Guide: «Running up to the northward from Washington Square is the most fashionable part of the city, —the Fifth Avenue, — which has been not inappropriately termed the Belgravia of New York. Nothing can exceed the general elegance and fine architectural effect of the street buildings here. The houses are of brown sandstone, which admits of the highest degree of decorative art— and which, for the most part, they have received. The plate-glass windows, too—not to speak of the fine taste displayed in the minor appurtenances, such as the door-plates, handles, bell-pulls, &c., and which reigns paramount in this favoured region — serve greatly to enhance the effect. Nor do the interior furnishings and ornamentation fail to sustain this first promise to the eye ; for, on the contrary, nothing can exceed the costliness of material and richness of style pervading the halls, staircases, and drawing-rooms pertaining to the mansions of the " Fifth Avenue." No doubt considerable help is obtained, for purposes of ornamentation and art, from the number of foreign artists and connoisseurs who are constantly pouring into New York from the continent of Europe ; but, however it may be, the fact is undoubted, that, in respect of elegance and comfort, nothing can surpass the residences here. Altogether, it may be pronounced the finest street in New York, and its most fashionable promenade.»