Battery Park in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

History of New Pier 1

Photographed By Larry Gertner, September 25, 2015

1. History of New Pier 1 Marker

Inscription.
New Pier 1 was designed by General George B. Mc Clellan (of Civil War Fame), first Engineer-in-Chief of the Department of Docks. It was constructed between 1872 and 1877 as part of a larger maritime complex that included a wharf and boat landing.

The pier was later leased to the Iron Steam-Boat Company, which ran ferries to Coney Island beginning in 1881. The Steam-Boat Company erected a two-story pier building to house a restaurant, a saloon, and a dance hall. By 1897, New Pier 1 was turned over to freight use, and in 1972, it was demolished to make way for Battery Park City.

The white granite inlay in the pavement of this plaza indicates the approximate location of New Pier 1 and the shorelines circa 1877 and 1886. This map shows New Pier 1 of the far left circa 1879. The water around these piers was infilled in the early 1970s to create Battery Park City, so the former site of New Pier 1 is now largely within the footprint of Robert F. Wagner Park.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1872.

Location. 40° 42.278′ N, 74° 1.05′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is in Battery Park. The marker is adjacent to Pier A. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: New York NY 10004, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are

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within walking distance of this marker. History of Pier A (within shouting distance of this marker); American Merchant Mariners' Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); New York Korean War Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named New York Korean War Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named American Merchant Mariners' Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Norwegian Maritime Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Giovanni Da Verrazzano (about 300 feet away); In Honor of Peter Caesar Alberti (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manhattan.

History of New Pier 1 Marker site image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Larry Gertner, June 15, 2017

2. History of New Pier 1 Marker site

Pier A is visible to the left.

3. Inset

The Pier 1 area

The white granite boundary inlays mentioned in the text. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Larry Gertner, June 15, 2017

4. The white granite boundary inlays mentioned in the text.

Robert F. Wagner Park and Battery Park City in the left background.

Pier 1 area, July 1979 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Larry Gertner, 1979

5. Pier 1 area, July 1979

Pier 1 was within the area to the right of Pier A. The area, created with landfill from the construction of the World Trade Center, would become Robert F. Wagner Park and Battery Park City.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 19, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 6, 2018, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 268 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 6, 2018, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.