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Manhattan Notes -
Neighborhood Profiles
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Tuesday, 30 November 1999 00:00 |
The lower tip of the island of Manhattan is often to referred to as Downtown or Lower Manhattan. It was our nations first capital and the point of entry for the millions of immigrants that came to our country seeking a better life.
The area can be generally defined as being located within the borders of Chambers Street to the north, the Hudson or North River to the west, South by Battery Park and to the east by the East River. Of course, depending on which New Yorker you ask, the lines tend to blur. Some consider Downtown to begin where Midtown ends at 23rd Street. Others would say that it extends even farther north to Canal Street.
Downtown is where you will find the Financial District and the site of the World Trade Center as well as being the center for NYC government offices.
Thousands of people reside in Lower Manhattan in the area south of Houston Street. Considered one of the city's most livable areas, the neighborhoods include Battery Park, Chinatown, Little Italy, Tribeca, Soho, the Financial District and the Lower East Side. Many of the residents live within walking distance of their jobs and enjoy life outside of work at the numerous restaurants, shops and cultural activities.
Some interesting facts about Downtown:
- It was the site of our Nations first Capitol
- Author Jack London once lived as a hobo in Central Park
- Bowling Green is the oldest park in NYC
- Legend has it that the Dutch trader, Peter Minuit purchased the island from the Leni Lenape Indians for a mere $24 in trinkets.
- From 1892 to 1924, 12 million immigrants entered the United States through Ellis Island
- The Woolworth Building was the tallest building in the world from 1913 to 1929
- St. Paul's Chapel is Manhattan's oldest public building in continuous use
- The New York Stock Exchange has an annual trading volume of $5.5 trillion.
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