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Financial District in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
 

The Buttonwood Agreement

 
 
The Buttonwood Agreement Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, June 5, 2025
1. The Buttonwood Agreement Marker
Inscription. In 1792, right where you're standing, the Buttonwood Agreement was officially signed and executed, establishing the first ever New York Stock Exchange. At the time, the Tontine Coffee House stood on this site and served as its first official home.
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical date for this entry is May 17, 1792.
 
Location. 40° 42.332′ N, 74° 0.469′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is in the Financial District. It is at the intersection of Wall Street and Pearl Street, on the left when traveling east on Wall Street. The plaque is on the side of the Wall Street Hotel. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 88 Wall Street, New York NY 10005, 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: Edward Livingston (a few steps from this marker); The Slave Market: Wall Street, 2023 (within shouting distance of this marker); New York’s Municipal Slave Market (within shouting distance of this marker); Down Town Association (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); 70 Pine Street (about 400 feet away); 55 Wall Street / 20 Exchange Place (about 400 feet away); Reframing Neglect (about 400 feet away); George Clinton (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manhattan.
 
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sectionhead>More about this marker.
Based on Google Street View, this marker was added to the building in 2021 or 2022 after a renovation of the Wall Street Hotel.
 
Also see . . .
1. Buttonwood Agreement: What it is, History, Signers.
Excerpt from Investopedia: "The Buttonwood Agreement was a compact to create a stock exchange on Wall Street in New York City, signed by 24 stockbrokers and merchants in 1792. Legend says it was finalized under a buttonwood tree near what is now 68 Wall Street. The agreement marked the creation of an official stock exchange for the young United States and the beginnings of an American investment community that would come to be known as Wall Street."
(Submitted on June 10, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.) 

2. Old New York Coffee Houses (includes "The Tontine Coffee House" illustration).
In 1792 the Tontine Coffee-House was built on the opposite cross-corner [from the old "Merchants' Coffee House"], and, in almost cruel mockery to the old house, the meetings of its subscribers were held in the old and famous Long Room. Indeed, the purpose of the Tontine Building was to afford new and more ample accommodations for the merchants, and particularly for the Chamber of Commerce.
(Submitted on May 9, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts.) 
 
The Buttonwood Agreement Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, June 5, 2025
2. The Buttonwood Agreement Marker
The marker is on the side of the Wall Street Hotel.
Wall Street Hotel image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, June 5, 2025
3. Wall Street Hotel
The marker is on the building near the corner of Wall and Pearl Streets.
Buttonwood Agreement image. Click for full size.
Gottscho-Schleisner Collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division
4. Buttonwood Agreement
This diorama depicts the signing of the Buttonwood Agreement in 1792.
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on June 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 10, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 923 times since then and 327 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 10, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.
 
Editor’s want-list for this marker. A clear, daylight photo of the marker and its location • Can you help?
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Jul. 2, 2026