Detail courtesy David Rumsey Historical Map Collection

I was researching about the College Place sign in the last Where in Tribeca…? post when I came across a most excellent 1852 map from the David Rumsey Historical Collection. The full title is Map of the City of New York Extending Northward to Fiftieth St. Surveyed and drawn by John F. Harrison C.E. Published by M. Dripps…1852. I don’t even think you have to care about history to find it fascinating. Zoom in, and click-and-drag to find Tribeca. College Place, as you can see, was the name of West Broadway below Chambers (because Columbia College was located on it). Worth Street used to be Anthony Street. Houston, on the west side, used to be Hammersley. And there’s so much more. Prepare to lose an hour or two—and to shed a tear for what used to be Hudson Park.