Wall Street in 18th Century

Wall Street entered 18th century with the City Hall at the corner of Nassau Street under construction. The New York's second City Hall was built, from 1699 to 1703, at the present site of the Federal Hall National Memorial (26 Wall Street). George Washington was inaugurated here, On April 30, 1789, as the first President of the United States of America. New York City was then the national capital.

In 1709, the slave market was constructed on the Foot of Wall Street and was in operation until 1762. This structure was renamed the Meal Market in 1826. This structure was removed before the end of 18th century and the Wall Street Ferry was built on the place in 1853.

The William Pitt statue by English artist Joseph Wilton (1722-1803) was commissioned in 1768 and installed in September 7, 1770, at William Street. It was partially destroyed in September, 1776. William Pitt (1708-1778), Earl of Chatham, was a  parliamentary hero, who championed the cause of the American colonies against the Stamp Act.

The New York Stock Exchange was founded in 1792 and the New York Stock & Exchange Board was formally created in 1817. The present neoclassic building was completed in 1903.

The Tontine Coffee House was established in 1793, on the northwest corner of Water Street. The institution was renamed the Tontine Building in 1834. The building was demolished in 1855 and replaced by a new Tontine Building in the same year.

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◄ Old Wall Street

Wall Street in 18th Century

Copyright © Geographic Guide - Images of NYC in 18th Century.

The East River waterfront of Wall Street in 1798, seen the spires of the old temple of Trinity Church (the tallest) and the old temple of the First Presbyterian Church.