Gramercy Park in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Cyrus West Field
Born Nov 30 1819 - Died July 12 1892
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, October 3, 2016
1. Cyrus West Field Marker
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Communications. A significant historical date for this entry is November 30, 1819.
Location. 40° 44.301′ N, 73° 59.121′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is in Gramercy Park. Marker is at the intersection of Lexington Avenue and Gramercy Park North, on the right when traveling south on Lexington Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 Lexington Avenue, New York NY 10010, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Peter Cooper (within shouting distance of this marker); Gramercy Park Clubhouse (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Gramercy Park Historic District (about 300 feet away); James Cagney (about 300 feet away); Gramercy Park (about 400 feet away); Bernard M. Baruch College / CUNY (about 400 feet away); James Harper (about 400 feet away); Poetry Society of America (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manhattan.
More about this marker. The marker is located at the site of his residence, and not the actual residence - that building having been torn down and replaced with the current building.
Also see . . .
this page online
1. History of the Atlantic Cable & Undersea Communications (atlantic-cable.com). ...In 1854 Field began the quest to lay a telegraphic cable across the Atlantic Ocean. After several failed attempts, in August 1858 Field arranged for Queen Victoria to send the first transatlantic message to President James Buchanan, and New York erupted in celebrations, lauding Field, telegraph inventor Samuel F. B. Morse, modern technology, and American ingenuity in general. But the cable broke after just three weeks, and Field did not complete his project until 1866.... (Submitted on October 18, 2016.)
2. Cyrus West Field. Wikipedia biography. (Submitted on April 8, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
3. The Lost Cyrus W. Field Mansion -- Gramercy Park. "Daytonian in Manhattan" entry. (Submitted on April 9, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, October 3, 2016
2. Cyrus West Field Marker - Wide View
The marker is visible here on the corner of the building.
Photographed By Bain News Service, October 17, 2016
3. Cyrus West Field
Image courtesy of the Library of Congress.
![<i>MUNICIPAL DINNER TO CYRUS W. FIELD,ESQ. [held by] METROPOLITAN HOTEL...</i> image. Click for full size.](Photos3/366/Photo366520.jpg?1018201610000PM "<i>MUNICIPAL DINNER TO CYRUS W. FIELD,ESQ. [held by] METROPOLITAN HOTEL...</i>. Click for full size.")
1858
4. MUNICIPAL DINNER TO CYRUS W. FIELD,ESQ. [held by] METROPOLITAN HOTEL...
The schedule of toasts for the Municipal Dinner held in honor of the laying of the transatlantic cable. Image courtesy of the New York City Public Library digital collections. (Click on image to enlarge)
Baker & Godwin, Printers, New York (Image courtesy of the Library of Congress), 1858
5. The laying of the cable---John and Jonathan joining hands
A crude but engaging picture, celebrating the goodwill between Great Britain and the United States generated by the successful completion of the Atlantic telegraph cable between Newfoundland and Valentia Bay (Ireland). Laid by the American steamer "Niagara" and British steamer "Agamemnon" (which appear in the background of the print), the cable transmitted its first message on August 17, 1858. The artist shows Brother Jonathan (left) shaking hands with John Bull. The two figures stand on opposite shores, set against a stormy, lightning-streaked sky over a choppy sea. "Brother Jonathan: "Glad to grasp your hand, uncle John! I almost feel like calling you Father, and will if you improve upon acquaintance! May the feeling of Friendship . . . be like the electric current which now unites our lands, and links our destiny with yours! May our hearts always beat together; and with one pulse--one Purpose, of Peace and Good-Will, we yet shall see ALL NATIONS speaking our Language, blessed with our Liberty, and led by that spirit of Love and Justice which leads to the only true happiness and Glory of Nations!" John Bull: "Happy to see and greet you, Jonathan! You feel like 'bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh!' You have grown to be a tall and sturdy man--quite as big as your Father! Great times these, my boy! We won't think of quarreling any more. I have grown too wise for that; and I hope we will both agree to let by-gones be by-gones! Henceforth we treat each other as equals, and only strive which shall do most in making 'all the world and the rest of Mankind' (as one of your good old Presidents once said) realize 'How good and pleasant a thing it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.'" - Library of Congress
Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 16, 2016, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 361 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 17, 2016, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. 4, 5. submitted on October 18, 2016, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
