Madison Avenue, New York - Vintage Images

Madison Avenue, in Manhattan, runs from Madison Square, at 23rd Street, to 142nd Street, near the 369th Infantry Regiment Memorial in Harlem. Madison Avenue is named after James Madison, the fourth President of the United States.

Madison Avenue was not part of the original Manhattan street grid established in the Commissioners' Plan of 1811. It was constructed south-north, between Park Avenue and Fifth Avenue, in 1836.

Several landmarks spread across Madison Avenue: Metropolitan Life Insurance Company Tower, Appellate Division Courthouse of New York State, New York Life Building, Hotel Seville, Emmet Building, Colony Club, Madison Belmont Building, B. Altman and Company Building, Episcopal Church of the Incarnation, Morgan Library & Museum, Joseph Raphael De Lamar House, 275 Madison Avenue, 400 Madison Avenue, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Villard Houses, Look Building, 550 Madison Avenue, Fuller Building, 45 East 66th Street, Gertrude Rhinelander Waldo House, 1261 Madison Avenue, 1321 Madison Avenue, Squadron A Armory and All Saints Church.

More: Madison Avenue at Madison Square ►

The beginning of Madison Avenue in 1906, looking north from 23rd Avenue. Madison Square is on the left. On the right is the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company Building. Adjoining the building, on the left, is the old Church of the Rev. Dr. Parkhurst, demolished in 1919. Across the street is the "new" church in neoclassic style. The Tower of Madison Square Garden is in the distance. Vintage post card, compliments of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company Home Office, New York City.