Did you know that Central Park was built on Seneca Village, a community of modest farms, also known as a safe haven for runaway slaves? Did you know Washington Square Park used to be a potter’s field? Author James Roman, a native New Yorker, brings to this guide an intimate knowledge and love of New York’s neighborhoods and the quirks of history that have helped shape the city. Discover 400 years of innovation through the true stories of the visionaries, risk-takers, dreamers, and schemers such as John Jacob Astor, Cornelius Vanderbilt, Stanford White, Gertrude Whitney and more with historical photographs and period maps. This second edition includes a new Broadway chapter and completely updated walking tours. A Must Read for anyone who loves New York City. “A fun, intelligent walk through New York’s past” — Library Journal “An ingenious approach . . . This hybrid history-slash-guide to New York encourages active participation in history, and expands our understanding of how the city reinvents itself.” — Examiner.com “In this wonderful and entertaining guide to what once was, author James Roman captures the heart and soul of an older New York ” — Chicago Tribune   “Packs a good bit of history into one handy source” — Publishers Weekly “Even if you’re not traveling to New York any time soon, you’ll love Chronicles of New York . Extensively researched, the guide is full of historical photos.” — Travelgirl magazine "This is a travel book for history buffs and those who want to know the story behind the landmark—and even for parents who want their children to see beyond the flashing lights and cheap souvenirs. With this book, travelers will find hidden gems of history even in the already famous parts of this much-traveled city." —Melissa Wuske, Foreword Reviews "Anyway, if a historical account of the development and progress of NYC after the United States won their freedom from England sounds interesting to you then you should definitely check out this book. If it doesn’t sound interesting you should still probably give it a chance because it may surprise you." —Tina Edwards, vexingcircumstance.wordpress.com A third-generation New Yorker, James Roman has regaled listeners with his chronicles of old New York as a real estate broker and sales manager for 15 years in Manhattan, and as a lecturer at the Real Estate Board of New York and New York University. He is also the author of Chronicles of Old Las Vegas and Chronicles of Old Los Angeles , and contributes regularly to publications that document emerging technology. Chronicles of Old New York Exploring Manhattan's Landmark Neighborhoods By James Roman Museyon Inc. Copyright © 2016 James Roman All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-1-940842-08-0 Contents CHRONICLES OF OLD NEW YORK, CHAPTER 1. GEORGE WASHINGTON SLEPT HERE When New York Was The Capital Of America 1789, CHAPTER 2. DRUNK ON WATER Aaron Burr's Profitable Gamble 1799–1842, CHAPTER 3. EARLY BOHEMIA The Roots of Greenwich Village 1822–1871, CHAPTER 4. FIFTH AVENUE'S FIRST BREATH A Potter's Field Becomes Washington Square Park 1824–1889, CHAPTER 5. FROM DYNASTY TO TRAGEDY The Story of the Astor Family 1783–2009, CHAPTER 6. A BEAR ON BROADWAY, AND A RIOT AT THE OPERA A Brief History of Astor Place 1811–1849, CHAPTER 7. SLUMMING The Story of Five Points 1830s–1900s, CHAPTER 8. MANHATTAN'S INCANDESCENCE Thomas Edison Electrifies New York 1880–1882, CHAPTER 9. FROM DEUTAL COVE TO COVETED ADDRESS The Evolution of Turtle Bay 1639–2001, CHAPTER 10. THE GOLD COAST Fifth Avenue Moves Uptown 1824–, CHAPTER 11. PARK AVENUE The Frog Prince 1872–1905, CHAPTER 12. MR. VANDERBILT BUILDS HIS DREAM HOUSE A Mansion on Millionaire's Row 1879–1927, CHAPTER 13. DOWN THE MIDDLE Central Park, and How It Got That Way 1851–1866, CHAPTER 14. IT HAPPENED IN GRAMERCY PARK The Cooperative Gets a Lift 1832–1883, CHAPTER 15. THE GREAT WHITE WAY There's No Business Like Broadway 1880–1930, CHAPTER 16. ASSASSINATION OF AN ARCHITECT The Story of Stanford White 1906, CHAPTER 17. ART IN AN ALLEY The Ashcan School and the Carriage Houses of Greenwich Village 1840–1950, CHAPTER 18. APARTMENT LIFE The Dakota and the Golden Age 1884–1929, CHAPTER 19. LOWER EAST SIDE An Immigrant Tale 1900–, CHAPTER 20. PROHIBITION AND ALL THAT JAZZ The Speakeasy Days of New York City 1920–1932, CHAPTER 21. A HARLEM HISTORY Philip A. Payton, Jr. Builds a Neighborhood 1902–1933, CHAPTER 22. THE MASTER BUILDER The Controversial Character of Robert Moses 1924–1956, CHAPTER 23. MANHATTAN HEARS THE BEAT How a Group of Writers Changed New York 1944–1963, CHAPTER 24. SOHO STORY A Neighborhood Grows 1960s–1980s, CHAPTER 25. CHELSEA The Western Frontier 1990–, CHAPTER 26. FATHERS AND SONS The Real Estate Dynasties of New York 1920–, WALKING TOURS, TOUR 1: Financial District, TOUR 2: Chinatown/SoHo, TOUR 3: Greenwich Village, TOUR 4: Astor Place, TOUR 5: Gramercy Park, TOUR 6: Turtle Bay, TOUR 7: Midtown,