West Village in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Changing Shoreline
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, May 1, 2021
1. The Changing Shoreline Marker
click on photo to enlarge
Over several centuries, coal ash, dirt and many sorts of refuse were dumped into the Hudson River to create more usable land, forever altering the original shoreline. On the map below. the black line shows the original shoreline - once more than a block inland! - compared to today's shoreline. The white outline shows the shoreline in the late 19th century when Thirteenth Avenue was built to further widen Manhattan Island from 11th Street to 29th Street. In the early 20th century, most of this landfill was removed to accommodate longer passenger ships, creating the shoreline today you see in Hudson River Park.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Waterways & Vessels.
Location. 40° 44.453′ N, 74° 0.567′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is in West Village. It can be reached from Henry Hudson Greenway just south of Little Island. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: New York NY 10014, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in New York City. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Unsinkable Ship (within shouting distance of this marker); Disaster at Sea (within shouting distance of this marker); Improving Our River Habitat (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); A Park is Born
this page online
More about this marker. The marker is attached to the railing at water's edge on the Henry Hudson Greenway (i.e., the path parallel to 10th Avenue), just a bit south of the south entrance to Little Island.
Also see . . .
1. The Remnants of Manhattan's Thirteenth Avenue. Atlas Obscura website entry (Submitted on January 30, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Little Island. Hudson River Park website entry:
aka Diller's Island (Submitted on January 30, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, May 1, 2021
2. The Changing Shoreline Marker
The marker is visible here attached to the railing, with the newly opened Little Island park also visible in the background.
Photographed by Larry Gertner, July 5, 2021
3. The remains of Thirteenth Avenue
A former Department of Sanitation site, soon to be parkland.
Photographed by Craig Baker, June 3, 2022
4. Remains of Pier
Under the north entrance to Little Island.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 8, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 314 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 8, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. 3. submitted on January 30, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 4. submitted on June 3, 2022, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.
