1897 Map of Harlem

About this map

Yonkers and the northern reaches of New York City are captured here as the 19th century draws to a close, showing a landscape transitioning from suburban estates to dense urban corridors. The map highlights the critical infrastructure of the era, including the Croton Aqueduct and the massive Jerome Park Reservoir, alongside the newly completed Ship Canal at Tubby Hook. Major public spaces such as Van Cortlandt Park, Woodlawn Cemetery, and Riverside Park anchor the boroughs, while Grant's Tomb stands as a prominent landmark overlooking the Hudson River. Across the water, the Palisades rise above settlements like Tenafly and Fort Lee, connected to the city by a dense network of rail lines including the New York and Putnam R.R. and the West Shore Railroad. This survey preserves the complex geography of islands and points along the East River, from Rikers Island to the military installation at Fort Schuyler.