From City Hall to The Battery, this tour affords a unique window onto Lower Manhattan and offers visitors an overview of some of the most significant historical sites in all of New York City.

Start your trip at City Hall, the oldest city hall in America to serve its original purpose as the place where the Mayor and City Council conduct the city’s business. Built between 1803 and 1812, the building is situated on what was once the northernmost edge of New York City. Note the beautiful white marble façade on the front of the building and compare it to the brownstone used for the back— an indication that no one expected city to ever expand beyond Lower Manhattan! And as old as City Hall may be, the adjacent park is much older, dating back all the way to Colonial Dutch days.

Continue on to one of Manhattan’s most storied attractions — no visit to the city is complete without a trip to see the Brooklyn Bridge. Completed in 1883, the bridge joined New York with Brooklyn (which had been two separate cities). Designed by German immigrant John Augustus Roebling, it was the world’s longest suspension bridge and its enormous support towers were once New York’s tallest structures. A week after the official opening of the bridge, rumors swirled that the structure was collapsing. Amidst the panic, a stampede ensured and a dozen people were killed. Obviously the rumor proved to be false — public fears were finally put to rest when the great circus showman, P.T. Barnum, paraded 21 elephants across the span.

Another meticulously designed piece of NYC history stands nearby. The Woolworth Building is an impressive architectural wonder. Dubbed the “Cathedral of Commerce,” the 60-story masterpiece was once the world’s tallest building. The breathtaking lobby contains jewel-like mosaics, filigree brass work and, hidden among the gnarled gargoyles tucked into the corners, figures of Cass Gilbert and the building’s namesake Frank Woolworth. Woolworth, of “five-and-dime” store fame, paid $13.5 million in cash to have the building built; it served as the headquarters of the renowned Woolworth department stores. Sadly, the lobby is no longer open to the public, but seeing the sheer majesty of the building is worth trying to peak through the front doors.

Further down along Broadway, St. Paul’s Chapel stands as the oldest public building in continuous use in New York City. Built in 1766 as the “uptown” extension of Trinity Church a few blocks south, 18th century regulars included George Washington, who walked to the chapel from Federal Hall to attend the Thanksgiving service following his first inauguration. His carefully preserved pew is still on view. The small chapel may also be considered the “mighty chapel that could”— St. Paul’s has survived fires, blizzards and the World Trade Center terror attacks on September 11, 2001. The chapel served as a place for rest and refuge to those working in the rescue efforts following the attacks. St. Paul’s has now become a museum and shrine to the history of post-9/11 recovery efforts in Lower Manhattan and memorials from around the world.

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Despite Times Square’s notorious reputation, it managed to maintain its powerful symbolism, in part because of its “chaotic action, dense and diverse pedestrian activity, [and] continuous role as the key entertainment district.” It also remained a central transit hub and offered a “unique physical ‘experience of place,’ which derived from its small-scale buildings, open space, and illuminated lights.” Times Square’s symbolic meaning, therefore, ignited debate and opposition with any proposed plan for renewal.

In addition to the district’s symbolism, efforts at redevelopment also proved challenging, in part, because the adult industry made huge profits. For example, CUNY researchers estimated that the weekly gross of peep shows ranged from $74,000 to $106,000 in 1978.

Likewise, property ownership was convoluted as landlords sought to create distance between themselves and those who ran the porno shops and peep shows on their property. The redevelopment project focused on revitalizing 42nd street as a theater and entertainment center. After tremendous time, money, and effort, Times Square slowly began to transform as adult stores and sleazy theaters were replaced by child-oriented stores and successful musicals. As tourist activity increased, Times Square continued to improve. A new TKTS sales center was installed. Further construction stopped vehicular traffic and made the plaza area more inviting to pedestrians. In 2008, the newly designed Duffy Square was re-opened to the public. Times Square has experienced flourishes of creative vibrancy and periods of great depravity, and yet it remains “the crossroads of the world.”

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Brooklyn bridge on a February night, with the Manhattan bridge in the background.

The Brooklyn Bridge is a hybrid cable-stayed/suspension bridge in New York City. It connects the boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn

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