Financial District in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
William Barthman Jeweler
Exploring Downtown
— 174 Broadway —
A century ago the glittering heart of the city’s diamond, jewelry and watchmaker district beat right here. “Within these stores,” wrote the Daily Graphic in 1876, “are diamonds as bright as the eyes of the ancient Dutch beauties.” A proud lone survivor operates here: William Barthman, jewelers to the Financial District since 1884, the oldest such establishment in the city. Barthman’s is known to busy Wall Street moguls as the “Downtown Tiffany.” Legendary patrons have included the Morgans and the Vanderbilts and such celebrities as British actress Lily Langtry and dapper New York Mayor “Gentleman” Jimmy Walker. Embedded in the pavement, at the corner, is one of New York’s most unusual timepieces. In an age of ubiquitous tall, standing sidewalk clocks, Barthman installed his novel clock directly in the sidewalk itself, considering it a snappy piece of advertising.
In 1946, New York police estimated that 51,000 people stepped over the clock every day between 11am and 2pm. In the words of the Press in December 1899: “Sometimes two swift District telegraph messengers, who have stopped to match pennies in the shadow of the corner building, see the clock in the pavement with sudden twinges of conscience. It electrifies their feet and sends them flying on their errand.”
Erected by The Alliance for Downtown New York, Inc.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical month for this entry is December 1899.
Location. 40° 42.589′ N, 74° 0.596′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is in the Financial District. Marker is at the intersection of Broadway and Maiden Lane, on the left when traveling south on Broadway. Marker is on the northeast corner of the intersection of Broadway and Maiden Lane. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: New York NY 10038, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Broadway – Maiden Lane (here, next to this marker); April 11, 1960 (a few steps from this marker); July 5, 1960 (a few steps from this marker); October 14, 1960 (a few steps from this marker); May 29, 1959 (within shouting distance of this marker); October 14, 1959 (within shouting distance of this marker); May 11, 1961 (within shouting distance of this marker); March 13, 1959 (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manhattan.
More about this marker. The top right of the marker contains a picture of “Broadway and Maiden Lane (the location of the marker) in an 1880 lithograph by J.J.Fogerty.” Under this is a picture of a woman shopping for jewelry at Barthman’s store. The bottom of the marker features photos of Lillian Russell and “Diamond Jim” Brady. These have a caption of “James Buchanan (‘Diamond Jim’) Brady, son of a saloon-keeper, born and bred Downtown, rose to fame and fortune at the turn of the century as a millionaire railroad equipment salesman. Flamboyant fixture of the city’s finer restaurants and theaters, Brady used his fortune to pursue wine, women and jewelry. The women included singer and actress Lillian Russell, in her day considered the pinnacle of American beauty. The jewelry included a purported 30 complete sets, valued at over a million dollars – no doubt making Diamond Jim a valued customer at Barthman’s.”
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Take a tour of the markers in lower Manhattan erected by the Alliance for Downtown New York, Inc.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 10, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 2,051 times since then and 64 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 10, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 4, 5. submitted on September 11, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 6, 7. submitted on November 20, 2018, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 8. submitted on December 11, 2018, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 9. submitted on January 7, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.