Market Street

Market Street. . , Market Street was named after the concentration of markets that were established there. Catherine Market was established between Market, Catherine, Cherry and Front Streets. Catherine Fish Market was adjacent, between Front Street and the East River., The immigrants driving the population growth created these markets for themselves. Fruits and vegetables were delivered in large quantities with little regard for quality or price. When demand could not be satisfied, produce was brought in from all over the U.S. and abroad by rail and steamship. The markets provided employment for many immigrants. Peddling and selling from barrows was common. This trade provided an alternative to sweatshop labor, but conditions in the markets were equally unhealthy., Workers in the markets and sweatshops lived in the nearby tenement buildings, areas considered as slums because most building lacked heating, plumbing, toilets, and running water. These wretched living conditions eventually provoked the demand for public housing., One of the main businesses on this part of the river was bonded warehouses. Nineteenth century federal regulations exempted export goods from customs duties which encouraged these warehouses. As an entry port, warehousing was vital and New York held over half the market goods in the United States at the time., From 1783 until the Brooklyn Navy Yard opened in 1801, the U.S. Navy Yard occupied two piers on the Water Street waterfront, at George’s Street, later Market Street., In the 19th century the area centered on Park Row was being kept busy by New York’s newspaper industry. Most of these business eventually relocated uptown., Popular as a delicacy, oysters were some of the major items sold in the busy markers. In the 19th century, New York was surrounded by rich oyster beds. A large number of oyster bars opened between 1830 and 1870.