The story of Gramercy Park in New York: from a marshland to something extraordinary

Gramercy - This is the only New York park where only a select few can get. About how from the marshland of its territory turned into one of the most attractive areas of Manhattan, the publication said Events.

At the beginning of the XIX century on the site of this park was an unattractive marshland.

That was until the American missionary Samuel Ruggles decided to create something extraordinary there.

About the missionary

Ruggles was born in New Milford into a well-known family from Connecticut. He arrived in New York after an almost imperceptible legal career and began to engage in real estate.

In 1831, the Ruggles acquired 23 separate plots of marshland. The site north of 20th Street in Manhattan at that time was almost a rural area: rocky groves and swamp bands prevailed there. Therefore, this land was relatively inexpensive.

To drain the swamps and landscaping, Ruggles spent $ 180 thousand. After that, he fenced his plot with a fence, and inside laid a park; part of the land was divided into separate sections where mansions were erected. The owners of these mansions received the park as a gift.

The idea of ​​Ruggles was that such a plan in the future will become the main for urban planning of buildings.

Famous politicians, creative people and celebrities became the owners of the mansions in this quiet and luxurious area. Since 1844, the legendary Gramercy Park decorative gates have always been locked and inaccessible to the general public.

Park name

Gramercy literally translated from Dutch Krom Moerasje means "a little crooked swamp." Over time, this name turned into a similar in sound Gramercy - this is an old English word meaning "thank you very much."

Secrets that the park holds

The park housed the national art club - in 1898 it was the first organization that hosted women on a par with men. The club itself was located in the home of former New York Governor Samuel Tilden. Rumor has it that this house hides a secret passage to a neighboring street. This came to the rescue when it was necessary to avoid political rivals or impending unrest during the Civil War.

In 1863, the park was officially opened for some soldiers who bravely defended its territory during the Civil War.

Famous residents of Gramercy

In the 1880s, the American inventor Thomas Edison rented an apartment in the southern part of the Gramercy district with his wife and daughter.

Edwin Thomas Booth, a well-known Shakespearean actor in the early 1918th century, was also a resident of Gramercy. In XNUMX, a statue was installed in his honor, which now recalls the eminent resident.

And in the Gramercy Park, Teddy Roosevelt and the popular film actor James Cagney were born.

Since rich barons and governors lived in this park, they built marble ballrooms and stables here. As a result, Gramercy has become one of the most attractive areas not only in Manhattan, but, perhaps, in the world.

If you want to join this party and live in a popular place, go to 8 Gramercy Park, where the chic Gramercy Park Hotel was built. It was founded back in 1930. The hotel is often chosen by celebrities to celebrate celebrations or accommodation. In particular, Bob Dylan and David Bowie love to be in it.

The conflict at $ 30 thousand

In 2001, an unpleasant incident occurred in the park, which turned into a judicial conflict. This happened after a group of schoolchildren visited the park, many of whom were black and Hispanic. Children were guests of the National Art Club.

One of the influential members of the Board of Trustees Gramercy allegedly repeatedly spoke out to the guests, saying that "the park is not for such children", and called the police.

At that time, the trustees of the park and the National Art Club fought for leadership in management, and this conflict became a cause for action, the source said.

On the subject: New Yorkers will have their own island park

The lawsuit said Gramercy Park violates New York’s general rule of equality for all races. US District Judge Gerard Lynch scolded the parties for "using" children in the "internecine wars for control of the board of trustees" and called on them to resolve the conflict. As a result, the parties agreed, and the children received about $ 30 thousand for moral damage.

Who is responsible for the safety of the park

The well-being of the park is controlled by a board of trustees, which includes the owners of mansions and townhouses. The foundation is called the Gramercy Park Trust (now called the Gramercy Neighborhood Associates).

By 1966, the NYC Conservation Commission granted Gramercy historic quarter status; In 1988, new lands adjacent to the park received this status.

In 1980, the quarter was added to the US National Register of Historic Places. Many of the old buildings have survived to this day. For example, house number 34 is the oldest of the existing cooperative residential buildings in Manhattan.