Civic Center in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Collect Pond and the City
Photographed By Larry Gertner, April 6, 2015
1. Collect Pond and the City Marker
When New York was a small town at the southern tip of Manhattan, Collect Pond was a place for recreation: fishing in the summer and skating in the winter. Fishing in the pond was so popular that in 1734 the city banned nets, allowing people only to use hook and line.
Eventually, however, the pond was fouled by industrial uses and pressures from the advancing population. Tanneries, slaughterhouses, and other noxious industries that utilized large amounts of fresh water began to locate near the pond in the 1690s.
Area residents also contributed to the pollution, leading to a 1778 ban on laundering in the pond, which was largely ignored. In 1785, the New York Journal reported “suds and filth are emptied into this pond, besides dead dogs, cats, etc. thrown in daily, and no doubt, many buckets (of bodily waste) from that quarter of town.”
Erected by NYC Parks.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Industry & Commerce • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1734.
Location. 40° 42.979′ N, 74° 0.122′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is in Civic Center. Marker is on Lafayette Street near Leonard Street
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Collect Pond Before The City (here, next to this marker); Death of the Collect Pond (here, next to this marker); The Legendary Collect Pond (here, next to this marker); From Collect Pond To Park (here, next to this marker); The Jerry and Maria McAuley Center (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Engine Company 31 (about 400 feet away); Abraham De Peyster (about 400 feet away); The Mudd Club, 1978-1981 (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manhattan.
Photographed By Larry Gertner, April 8, 2015
2. Collect Pond Park
The markers are visible to the left. The park was rehabilitated 2012. The "Pond" had not been filled for the season.
Photographed By Larry Gertner, April 6, 2015
3. Inset
(Part of the) Plan of the City of New York, 1735
Photographed By Larry Gertner, April 6, 2015
4. Inset
Collect Pond and the encroaching city
Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 6, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 138 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 6, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
