Roman Amphitheater, Madison Square

Interior view of the P.T. Barnum's Great Roman Hippodrome, showing a chariot racing led by women in a large amphitheater. Photographic reproduction of drawing published in the Daily Graphic, New York, Thursday, March 5, 1874 (Brown Bros. New York stamp on verso). Source: New York Public Library.

The Roman Hippodrome, built by Phineas Taylor Barnum (1810-1891), opened in 1874 on the northeast side of Madison Square, between 26th and 27th streets. The site was previously used by the New York and Harlem Railroad as passenger depot and freight warehouse.