Inside the Apple

1. New York's Foundation: From Indigenous Land to Dutch Colony

While today the bedrock is really only visible in the parks and a few other places, 400 years ago it would have been the island’s most salient feature, making it distinct from the less rocky, more arable land surrounding it in what we would today call New Jersey and Long Island.

Mannahatta's landscape. Before European colonization, Manhattan was a diverse landscape of forests, meadows, and waterways inhabited by the Lenape people. The island's defining feature was its exposed bedrock, Manhattan schist, remnants of the Wisconsin glacier. The Lenape relied on the rivers for fishing and transportation, with the Muhheakuntuck (Hudson River) holding particular significance in their culture.

Hudson's arrival. Henry Hudson's voyage in 1609 marked the beginning of European influence, though he was not the first to sight the area. Hudson's exploration of the Muhheakuntuck River, later named after him, paved the way for Dutch traders seeking beaver pelts, a valuable commodity in Europe. This marked a shift from exploration to economic exploitation.

The $24 myth. The Dutch West India Company established a permanent settlement, New Amsterdam, and purportedly purchased Manhattan from the Lenape for 60 guilders, or $24 worth of goods. This transaction, shrouded in myth, symbolizes the complex relationship between the Dutch and the indigenous population, involving differing concepts of land ownership and use rights. The true nature of the agreement remains a subject of debate.

2. Navigating Early New York: Trade, War, and Transition

Little did he, or they, know that he was also to be Manhattan’s last Dutch leader.

Stuyvesant's rule. Peter Stuyvesant, the last Dutch director-general, governed New Amsterdam with a stern hand, overseeing its growth into a thriving port city. However, his authoritarian style and conflicts with the colonists led to calls for greater autonomy. Despite these challenges, Stuyvesant's leadership laid the groundwork for New Amsterdam's future.

English takeover. In 1664, the English seized New Amsterdam without bloodshed, renaming it New York in honor of the Duke of York. The transition was relatively smooth, with Dutch residents remaining and daily life continuing largely unchanged. Stuyvesant himself retired to his farm, "the Bowery," marking the end of Dutch rule.

Wall Street's origin. The threat of English invasion prompted the construction of a wall along the northern edge of New Amsterdam in 1653, giving Wall Street its name. Though the wall itself was short-lived, it symbolizes the constant state of alert and the evolving geopolitical landscape of early New York.

3. Forging a New Identity: Religion, Revolution, and Remembrance

Walking the streets of New York City, you constantly come face to face with history.

Religious diversity. English rule brought greater religious freedom to New York, with Anglicanism becoming the dominant faith. Trinity Church, established in 1696, acquired vast land holdings and became a powerful institution. The city's religious landscape diversified, reflecting its growing heterogeneity.

Revolutionary fervor. New York played a pivotal role in the American Revolution, with events like the Stamp Act protests and the felling of King George III's statue at Bowling Green igniting revolutionary sentiment. The city endured British occupation and a devastating fire, emerging as a symbol of American resilience.

Washington's legacy. George Washington's farewell to his officers at Fraunces Tavern and his inauguration as the first president at Federal Hall solidified New York's place in American history. These events, along with the establishment of the New York Stock Exchange, marked the city's rise as a center of political and economic power.

4. The Great Port: Commerce, Immigration, and Urban Expansion

Posted like silent sentinels all around the town, stand thousands upon thousands of mortal men fixed in ocean reveries.

Maritime dominance. New York's strategic location and bustling harbor fueled its economic growth in the early 19th century. Commerce dominated the city's identity, with maritime activities shaping its social and physical landscape. The city's streets teemed with sailors, merchants, and tradesmen, all connected to the sea.

Population boom. Immigration and migration led to a dramatic increase in New York's population, creating both opportunities and challenges. The city expanded northward, swallowing up villages like Greenwich and transforming swampland into habitable areas. This rapid growth strained resources and exacerbated social inequalities.

Collect Pond's demise. The draining of the Collect Pond, once a vital water source, resulted in the creation of the notorious Five Points slum. This failed urban planning project highlights the unintended consequences of development and the challenges of managing rapid urbanization.

5. Building a City: Infrastructure, Architecture, and Social Divides

The goal was to create a regular pattern of east-west streets; along the avenues, exactly twenty of the blocks made up a mile.

Manhattan's grid. The Commissioners' Plan of 1811 imposed a grid system on Manhattan, shaping the city's physical structure and facilitating its northward expansion. While efficient, the grid also faced criticism for its monotony and disregard for natural features. The grid was designed to aid people walking to the commercial piers on the East and Hudson rivers.

Architectural landmarks. The construction of City Hall, St. Patrick's Cathedral (Old), and other landmarks reflected New York's growing prominence and architectural ambitions. These buildings served as symbols of civic pride and religious expression, shaping the city's identity.

Social stratification. As New York grew, social divisions became more pronounced. Wealthy residents moved uptown to fashionable neighborhoods like Greenwich Village, while immigrants and the working class were relegated to overcrowded slums like the Five Points. This spatial segregation reflected and reinforced social inequalities.

6. The Road to Civil War: Slavery, Abolition, and Social Unrest

It is an unfortunate truth that New York’s history is marred by a virulent strain of anti-Catholicism.

Slavery's legacy. Despite its Northern location, New York had a long and complex history with slavery. The city's economy benefited from the slave trade, and enslaved Africans played a significant role in its development. The alleged slave rebellion of 1741 and the Civil War Draft Riots exposed deep-seated racial tensions.

Abolitionist movement. The abolitionist movement gained momentum in New York, with figures like Elizabeth Ann Seton and Henry Ward Beecher advocating for the end of slavery. Churches and organizations provided support to enslaved people seeking freedom, challenging the institution of slavery.

Civil War tensions. The Civil War Draft Riots in 1863 revealed the deep divisions within New York society, with working-class residents protesting the draft and targeting black citizens. These riots underscored the complex and often contradictory attitudes toward race and equality in the city.

7. The Gilded Age: Wealth, Immigration, and Transformation

There now is your insular city of the Manhattoes, belted round by wharves as Indian isles by coral reefs—commerce surrounds it with her surf.

Post-war boom. New York experienced a period of unprecedented economic growth and transformation after the Civil War. The city's population swelled with immigrants, and new industries and technologies emerged. This era, known as the Gilded Age, was marked by both immense wealth and stark inequality.

Robber barons. Figures like Cornelius Vanderbilt and J. P. Morgan amassed vast fortunes, shaping the city's economic and political landscape. Their wealth fueled the construction of grand mansions, cultural institutions, and transportation networks, transforming New York into a global metropolis.

Immigrant experience. The influx of immigrants from Europe and Asia created vibrant ethnic enclaves like Little Italy and Chinatown. These communities faced challenges of poverty, discrimination, and assimilation, but also contributed to the city's cultural richness and diversity.

8. The 20th Century Beckons: Innovation, Conflict, and Legacy

The Lead, we hear, is to be run up into Musquet Balls for the use of the Yankies, when it is hoped that the Emanations of the Leaden George will make as deep impressions in the Bodies of some of his red Coated & Torie Subjects.

Architectural revolution. The late 19th and early 20th centuries witnessed a revolution in architecture, with the construction of skyscrapers like the Flatiron Building and the Woolworth Building transforming the city's skyline. These buildings symbolized New York's ambition and technological prowess.

Social reform. Progressive reformers like Jacob Riis and Lillian Wald sought to address the social problems of the Gilded Age, advocating for improved housing, education, and healthcare for the city's poor. Their efforts laid the groundwork for future social welfare programs.

A world city. As New York entered the 20th century, it had become a global center of commerce, culture, and immigration. The city's diverse population, innovative spirit, and architectural grandeur positioned it as a leading force in the modern world.

Last updated: February 23, 2025