Lower East Side

Rechtauck; Naghtogack

Description

Known as, ca 1524

The area now known as the Lower East Side was originally inhabited by Lenape people, who lived in seasonal bands as observed by the explorer, Giovanni da Verrazzano. They fished along the rivers in the summer and moved inland for crops and hunting during the fall and winter. One of their main trails followed the approximate path of modern-day Broadway. A notable encampment near Corlears Hook was called Rechtauck or Naghtogack, a place where the Lenape gathered and interacted with the land. This region's geography supported their traditional way of life.

Settled, ca 1600

In the Dutch colony of New Amsterdam, most of the population lived below Fulton Street, while small plantations, called "bouwerij" (or "bowery"), were situated to the north. Enclaves of free or "half-free" Africans also settled there, particularly along the Bowery between Prince Street and Astor Place. These settlements served as a buffer between Dutch settlers and Native Americans. Over time, the area saw consolidation of these farms into larger estates, including what became the Delancey farm, which encompassed much of the Lower East Side.

Redeveloped, 1760

James Delancey's pre-Revolutionary farm in Manhattan, known as the "West Farm," gave its name to streets like Delancey Street and Orchard Street. It spanned the area from Division Street to Houston Street. In the 1760s, Delancey began surveying his land, planning a grand Delancey Square, which was to occupy a large portion of what is now the Lower East Side. However, following the American Revolution, the loyalist Delancey's land was confiscated, and the planned aristocratic square was replaced by a more practical street grid system.

Became, 1910

Lower East Side Population peaks at 500,000 making it one of the world's most densely populated places

Related People & Organizations

The Lenape Tribe

Timeline

1524+ 1

1643

1770

1795

1814

1818

1825

1826

1827

1849

1863

1886

1888

1889

1895

1898

1903+ 1

1910+ 1

1912

1913

1930

1977

1988

1989

2001

2004+ 1

2009

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Images

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The Seward Park Educational Campus, home to five smaller schools

New York Times

The Bowery, just south of East Houston

New York Times

The East River Housing Corporation

New York Times

East River Park

New York Times

The Tenement Museum, on Orchard Street

New York Times

The intersection of Delancey and Allen Streets

New York Times

Katz’s Delicatessen

New York Times

The Bowery

New York Times

Baruch Houses

New York Times

The East River Housing Corporation buildings

New York Times

The Bialystoker Synagogue

New York Times

Essex Market

New York Times

Cyclists pedal toward Brooklyn on the Williamsburg Bridge

New York Times

Condominium buildings on Norfolk Street tower over Delancey Street.

New York Times

Columbia Street

New York Times

The Williamsburg Bridge

New York Times

1907

"Imported Americans", shopping from push-carts in the lower East Side

Underwood & Underwood, Library of Congress

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1910

Life on the lower East Side

Underwood & Underwood, Library of Congress

1524 - Known as

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New York Public Library

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37-24, 24th St, Suite 102, Long Island City, NY 11101