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Reddit mentions of The Measure of Manhattan: The Tumultuous Career and Surprising Legacy of John Randel, Jr., Cartographer, Surveyor, Inventor
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Reddit mentions: 2
We found 2 Reddit mentions of The Measure of Manhattan: The Tumultuous Career and Surprising Legacy of John Randel, Jr., Cartographer, Surveyor, Inventor. Here are the top ones.
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| Release date | February 2013 |
Although the street grid has for the most part remained similar to the way it was first planned in 1807, there have been several important changes to it, most notably Central Park, which was something of an afterthought as the city was pushing northward. That said, there were already a number of different grids already in place, including three distinct ones downtown, the roads of Greenwich Village, a separate grid which had been laid out by the Stuyvesant family in the East Village, and in the small villages scattered throughout northern Manhattan. The boundaries of the Commissioners’ Map illustrates the influence of Greenwich Village, as its street grid was kept in place, and the numbered streets initially started above 14th Street on the West Side, and above Houston on the East side. The grid that the Stuyvesant family laid out, however, was virtually erased from the map, with one notable exception: Stuyvesant Street, which is one of the oldest streets in the city, and runs from true East to West; most of the grid actually runs from Northwest to Southeast. Although Broadway was in fact an old native trail (which originally went up the East side, as the West side of Manhattan is rocky), what many people don’t know is that its planned route from 1811 was altered by Henry Brevoort, who could not stand the idea of the city running a road straight through his beloved orchard (at 10th Street and Broadway, you can see the jog here). Other significant changes to the street grid include the later inclusions Lexington and Madison Avenues, and the streets of Hamilton and Washington Heights, which bend to the will of Manhattan's topography. If you are really interested in the street grid, I read an excellent book about the chief surveyor of the project: The Measure of Manhattan: The Tumultuous Career and Surprising Legacy of John Randel, Jr.: Cartographer, Surveyor, Inventor.
I’ve always loved learning about NYC history, and friends started suggesting that I look into being a tour guide. The Department of Consumer Affairs gives a test for a sightseeing license that is comprised of 150 multiple choice questions and you have as much time as you need to take it. You have to get a 97 to pass and if you get above 120 you are distinguished on the DCA’s website; I think I got a 140 (damn bus stopping regulations). There wasn’t any official training beyond that, I just have always had a knack for remembering facts about history. Once I got my license, I became a NYC specialist and I've been sharing my love of the city with all sorts of folks ever since. I’ve found that it’s a great career for me, because I get to do what I love every single day of my life!
You're very welcome!
Normally, I would list these books in addition to a small description and reasons why I found them particularly interesting or engaging. However, it’s getting a bit late, so I’m just going to give you a list of some books that I particularly recommend. I should have some time later this afternoon to talk about them more in depth, and to answer any questions that you might have.