Southern Tip of Manhattan, Battery

Skyline and waterfront of the southern tip of Manhattan, between 1899 and 1902. Original title: New York City from the Staten Island Ferry. Source: New York State Archives. Education Department Division of Visual Instruction.

Panoramic view of Manhattan shoreline from the Staten Island Ferry in Upper New York Bay at the mouth of the Hudson River. City building and docks can be seen on shore. The Battery is behind the boat in the foreground. The Produce Exchange building was completed in 1884 on 2 Broadway, facing Bowling Green.

The 11-story Chesebrough Building was erected in 1898 at State and Pearl streets. At the time, many foreign consuls signified their intention of taking offices in the building. It was demolished in 1966. It was replaced by the 21-story Seaman's Church Institute building in 1968. Today the site is occupied by the 42-story 17 State Street, completed in 1988.

The top of the Manhattan Life Insurance Building, completed in 1894 on Broadway, is seen in the distance. It was the tallest building in New York City until 1899 when it was succeeded by Park Row Building (its upper structure is seen to the right of the Produce Exchange).