Upper West Side in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

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Tecumseh Playground

Photo Wanted image. Click for full size.

1. Photo Wanted

Inscription.

Tecumseh Playground. . , What was here before? , This was once the site of Public School 87, a four-story, non-fireproof building that dated to 1889. It was slated for demolition in 1952 to construct a new school to accommodate a growing neighborhood., How did this site become a playground? , In 1952 the City of New York acquired additional property on the block bounded by Amsterdam Avenue, West 78th Street, Columbus, and West 77th Street for school and recreational purposes. The new William T. Sherman School opened in 1954. Plans were drawn up for a Jointly Operated Playground (JOP) to serve the school and local community. Beginning in 1938, the Board of Education agreed to provide land next to schools where NYC Parks could build and maintain playgrounds that could be used by the school during the day and the public on evenings and weekends. The design incorporated play equipment and facilities for roller-skating and basketball and maintained the old school garden., In 2004, a large mural depicting a frontier scene was painted by Mitchell Schooler on the south wall of the playground. In 2013, the playground received a renovation of its recreational facilities two kickball fields, a soccer field, three basketball courts, a small track and two hopscotch games. New benches and chess tables, including some that are ADA-compliant were also added, as well as a new accessible drinking fountain., Who is this playground named for? , Like the adjacent school, this playground is named for Civil War Union General William Tecumseh Sherman (1820-1891) who was born in Lancaster, Ohio. Born in Lancaster, Ohio, Sherman graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1840. He served in the Mexican-American War (1846-1848). After the Civil War (1861-1865) broke out, he was appointed brigadier general of volunteers in 1861 and fought at Bull Run and Shiloh. Promoted to major general in 1862, he distinguished himself in the Vicksburg and Chattanooga campaigns of 1863. Sherman blazed a trail of destruction as his troops seized Atlanta, marched to the sea, and headed north through the Carolinas. He received the surrender of Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston on April 26, 1865, seventeen days after the surrender of General Robert E. Lee at Appomattox, Virginia.

What was here before?
This was once the site of Public School 87, a four-story, non-fireproof building that dated to 1889. It was slated for demolition in 1952 to construct a new school to accommodate a growing neighborhood.

How did this site become a playground?
In 1952 the City of New York acquired additional property on the block bounded by Amsterdam Avenue, West 78th Street, Columbus, and West 77th Street for school and recreational purposes. The new William T. Sherman School opened in 1954. Plans were drawn up for a Jointly Operated Playground (JOP) to serve the school and local community. Beginning in 1938, the Board of Education agreed to provide land next to schools where NYC Parks could build and maintain playgrounds that could be used by the school during the day and the public on evenings and weekends. The design incorporated play equipment and facilities for roller-skating and basketball and maintained the old school garden.

In 2004, a large mural depicting a frontier scene was painted by Mitchell Schooler on the south wall of the playground. In 2013, the playground received a renovation of its recreational facilities two kickball fields, a soccer field, three basketball courts, a small track and two hopscotch games. New benches and chess tables, including some that are ADA-compliant

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were also added, as well as a new accessible drinking fountain.

Who is this playground named for?
Like the adjacent school, this playground is named for Civil War Union General William Tecumseh Sherman (1820-1891) who was born in Lancaster, Ohio. Born in Lancaster, Ohio, Sherman graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1840. He served in the Mexican-American War (1846-1848). After the Civil War (1861-1865) broke out, he was appointed brigadier general of volunteers in 1861 and fought at Bull Run and Shiloh. Promoted to major general in 1862, he distinguished himself in the Vicksburg and Chattanooga campaigns of 1863. Sherman blazed a trail of destruction as his troops seized Atlanta, marched to the sea, and headed north through the Carolinas. He received the surrender of Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston on April 26, 1865, seventeen days after the surrender of General Robert E. Lee at Appomattox, Virginia.

Erected by NYC Parks. (Marker Number 300.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Parks & Recreational Areas • War, Spanish-American • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the NYC Parks series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 26, 1865.

Location.

Tecumseh Playground image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), August 30, 2025

2. Tecumseh Playground

Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 40° 46.905′ N, 73° 58.728′ W. Marker was in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It was in the Upper West Side. It was on West 77th Street east of Amsterdam Avenue, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: New York NY 10024, United States of America.

We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.

Regionally, this marker was in New York City.

It was also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found 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 location: Engine 74 / Ladder 25 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Philip Roth (about 600 feet away); The Apthorp Apartments (approx. 0.2 miles away); West End Collegiate Church and Collegiate School (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named West End Collegiate Church and Collegiate School (approx. 0.2 miles away); Central Savings Bank (approx. 0.2 miles away); Verdi Square (approx. 0.2 miles away); Theodore Roosevelt Park (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manhattan.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Tecumseh Playground (has been replaced with this marker).

Credits. This page was last revised on September 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 2, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 83 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 2, 2025. 2. submitted on September 2, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.