State Street

Giovanni da Verrazzano, the explorer observed that Lenape called the point “Kapsee” meaning “sharp rock place”. It was home to the Kapsee people who were leaders among the Canarsie group of the Lenape.

State Street approximates the original waterline of the island before landfill expanded it. The original fort built by Dutch settlers for New Amsterdam, Fort Amsterdam, was located where State Street is now. The street was originally called "Copsey Street" after the Native American village of Kopsee, which had been located nearby.

In 1790, the State House or Government House was built on the site of the fort.  It was renamed by the Common Council after the State House.