Old Map of Harlem, NYC by Bromley, 1879: Morningside Heights, Riverside Park, Leake & Watts Orphan Asylum, Bloomingdale Insane Asylum

“Part of ward 12, New York City,” a captivating hand-colored lithograph created by G.W. Bromley in 1879, offers a detailed glimpse into the urban fabric of New York City during the late 19th century. This exquisite map showcases the intricate layout of Morningside Heights, a neighborhood renowned for its rich history and architectural splendor. The meticulous detailing of buildings, ward boundaries, and original farm lines provides a fascinating insight into the development patterns of this iconic area, making it a valuable artifact for both historians and enthusiasts of urban evolution.

The map covers 8th to 11th Avenues, from West 101 St to West 121 St.

One of the most striking features of this map is its depiction of significant landmarks such as the Leake & Watts Orphan Asylum and the Bloomingdale Insane Asylum, now the prestigious Columbia University. These institutions played pivotal roles in the social and architectural history of New York City, and their presence on the map underscores the area’s importance as a hub of educational and social services. The map’s annotations and detailed representation of these landmarks offer a unique window into the past, highlighting the evolution of these institutions over time.

The inclusion of prominent parks like Morningside Park and Riverside Park adds another layer of historical significance to this map. These green spaces were crucial in shaping the urban landscape, providing much-needed recreational areas for the city’s residents. The map’s detailed portrayal of these parks, complete with original water courses and block dimensions, reflects the importance of urban planning and the city’s commitment to creating a balanced environment that catered to both residential and recreational needs.

The map also intricately details the network of streets and avenues that crisscrossed the area, including notable thoroughfares such as Amsterdam Avenue, Riverside Drive, and Claremont Avenue. This comprehensive depiction of the city’s infrastructure not only highlights the complexity of urban development but also serves as a testament to the meticulous planning that went into creating a functional and accessible city. The inclusion of fire hydrants, steam and street railways, and water mains further underscores the map’s utility as a tool for urban management and planning.

G.W. Bromley’s expertise as a mapmaker is evident in the precision and artistry of this map. Known for his detailed atlases of urban areas, Bromley’s work remains a valuable resource for understanding the historical and architectural evolution of cities. This map of part of ward 12, New York City, is a prime example of his craftsmanship, offering a rich tapestry of historical data that continues to captivate and inform. Whether for its historical value, artistic merit, or urban insights, this map is a remarkable addition to any collection.

Streets and roads on this map

• 10th Avenue
• 11th Avenue
• 12th Avenue
• 8th Avenue
• 9th Avenue
• West 101 St to West 121 St.
• Amsterdam Avenue
• Bloomingdale Road
• Boulevard
• Claremont Avenue
• Columbus Avenue
• Convent Avenue
• Edgecombe Avenue
• Eleventh Avenue
• Grant Avenue
• Manhattan Avenue
• Morningside Avenue
• New Avenue
• Riverside Avenue
• Riverside Drive

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Leake & Watts Orphan Asylum
• Bloomingdale Insane Asylum
• Morningside Heights neighborhood
• Morningside Park
• Riverside Park

Historical and design context

• Name of the map: Part of ward 12, New York City.
• Hand colored lithographed map: The map is hand-colored, which was a common practice at the time to distinguish different areas and features.
• Maps in the atlas show:
• Buildings
• Fire hydrants
• Steam and street railways
• Original water courses
• Original farm lines
• Ward boundaries
• Water mains
• Block dimensions
• When the map was made: 1879
• Mapmaker or publisher: G.W. Bromley
• Context about the mapmaker: G.W. Bromley was known for creating detailed atlases of urban areas, particularly in the northeastern United States. His maps are valuable historical resources for understanding urban development in the 19th century.
• Topics and themes shown on the map:
• Urban development: Detailed depiction of buildings and infrastructure in part of ward 12, New York City.
• Public institutions: Includes notable institutions like the Leake & Watts Orphan Asylum and Bloomingdale Insane Asylum.
• Parks and recreation: Shows large parks such as Morningside Park and Riverside Park.
• Countries and regions shown on the map: New York City, United States
• Context about the design or style of the map: The map is a hand-colored lithograph, which was a popular method in the 19th century for producing detailed and colorful maps.
• Historical significance or context of the map: The map provides a snapshot of urban development in New York City in the late 19th century, showing the layout of streets, buildings, and significant public institutions of the time.

Please double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.

This map looks great at every size, but I always recommend going for a larger size if you have space. That way you can easily make out all of the details.

This map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 70in (180cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

The model in the listing images is holding the 24x36in (60x90cm) version of this map.

The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.

If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my collection of the best old maps to see if something else catches your eye.

Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.

This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father’s Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.

This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you’d like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.