Central Park History

'Cleopatra's Needle' Obelisk
in Central Park, New
York
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Central Park History for kids: Fast Fact Sheet
The
following facts on Central Park History provides a fast
fact sheet of important historical information.
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Location: Central Park, Manhattan, New
York, United States
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Idea Promoter: Anna Minturn and the high
society of New York City
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Construction start date of Central Park: 1857
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Initial land acquired: 778 acres. 2.5 miles
from 59th Street to 106th Street and half a
mile from Fifth Avenue to Eighth Avenue.
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The initial cost of land? £5 million dollars
for Central Park
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Name of the Designers: Frederick Law Olmsted
and Calvert Vaux
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Date Central Park was opened: November, 1858
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Ice Skating: By December 1858 New Yorkers
were skating on the 20 acre lake south of
the Ramble in Central Park
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How big is Central Park now? The size of
Central Park has been extended to cover 842 acres -
1.3 sq miles.
Facts about the Central Park History: Fun Facts for Kids
History and interesting info about
Central Park History. Fast Facts about about Central Park History for kids are detailed below. The history
and information is told in a series of fun facts providing a simple
method of relating to construction of Central Park History. Cool, fun and interesting stats and
facts for kids about Central Park History.
Central Park History Facts for Kids
Central Park History
Fact 1: The original design plan for the
streets of Manhattan was established by the
Commissioners Plan of 1811 put in place the grid plan
for Manhattan but as Central Park was not envisioned
until 1853 it was never included in the original design.
Central Park History
Fact 2: Landscape gardener, Alexander Jackson
Downing, proposed some initial plans in 1850
Central Park History
Fact 3: Anna Mary Wendell Minturn, the wife
of a wealthy merchant called Robert Bowne Minturn,
worked to gain support for the idea of a great "Central
Park" from the high society in New York City.
Central Park History
Fact 4: The reasons for the Central Park project were to
show the countries of Europe that the new, emerging
cities of the United States were becoming culturally
refined and aware of their civic duties to their
citizens.
For additional facts refer to the
History of Urbanization in America
Central Park History
Fact 5: The vision for Central Park was to create an area for
recreational activities and the opportunity to
socialize. Fine, sweeping landscapes with a variety of
unusual trees, plants and flowers would bring beauty to
the city based on the a pastoral landscape like that of
English romantic gardens. Classic, architecture, elegant
fountains and expensive statues of famous, prestigious
people to bring culture to New Yorkers.
Central Park History Fact 6:
In 1853 the state legislature granted
the city the right to buy lands in the vicinity of 59th
and 106th streets, and Fifth Avenue and Eighth Avenue.
Central Park History
Fact 7: 778 acres of land was acquired, at
the cost of $5 million dollars, which was equivalent to
6% of Manhattan's total acreage.
Central Park History
Fact 8: Over 1,600 residents were displaced
when the land was acquired for Central Park. 6 percent of Manhattan's
total acreage.
Central Park History Fact
9: The
first Central Park Commission was formed and the
commissioners initiated a design competition for the
project which was published on October 13, 1857.
Central Park History
Fact 10: The commissioners specified there
should be sites for an exhibition or concert hall, a
prominent fountain, a flower garden, a winter skating
lake, playgrounds for healthy exercise, and a parade
ground for militia drills
Central Park History
Fact 11:
The winners of the design contest,
called the "Greensward Plan" were park superintendent,
Frederick Law Olmsted and architect Calvert Vaux.
Central Park History
Fact 12:
The New York State legislature initially acquired 778
acres of land
of what would be the first landscaped public park in the
United States of America
Central Park History
Fact 13: The Central Park site needed a significant amount
of work. Nearly 3 million cubic yards of soil was
needed, swamps were cleared and replaced by lakes and a
curved reservoir was also added to the site.
Central Park History
Fact 14: The Central Park site was planted with 270,000
shrubs, plants and trees. The site included seven water
features totaling 150 acres, fountains, 136 acres of
woodlands and 250 acres of lawns. There were 4.25 miles
of bridle
paths.
Central Park History
Fact 15: $14 million was spent on developing
the land and construction works for Central Park.
Central Park History
Fact 16: Bridges and Arches: There were a
total of 11 decorative bridges and 22 arches.
Central Park History
Fact 17: The first visitors were generally
from the middle and upper classes who had the free time
to socialize and take carriage rides. The lower classes
worked 6 days a week only leaving Sundays to make the
trip. It wasn't until the early 1900's that this trend
changed
Central Park History
Fact 18: There were restrictions in relation
to some activities in early Central Park history, for instance group picnics were
forbidden and tradesmen were banned to use their trade
wagons for family excursions. Ball games were also
restricted.
Central Park History
Fact 19: The Geographical features of Central
Park include the Pond and Hallett Nature Sanctuary, The
Ramble and Lake, Conservatory Garden, Conservatory
Water, Great Lawn / Turtle Pond, Cedar Hill, Cherry
Hill, Harlem Meer, The Lake, Onassis Reservoir, Rat
Rock, Seneca Village, Sheep Meadow and Vista Rock
Central Park History
Fact 20: Over the years many additional
recreational facilities were added for people to visit
in Central Park.
The history continues below with facts and history about
the places of interest together with the famous people
who are remembered in the form of fine statues and
sculptures.
Continued...
Central Park History Facts for Kids
Facts about the Central Park History: Fun Facts for Kids
History and interesting info about
Central Park History. Fast Facts for kids are detailed below. The history
and information is told in a series of fun facts providing a simple
method of relating to construction of Central Park History. Cool, fun and interesting stats and
facts for kids about the Central Park History.
Central Park History Facts for Kids
Central Park History
Fact 21: The Ladies Pavilion was built in 1903
to shelter ladies waiting to change streetcars at the
Columbus Circle corner of the park - it went rusty over
the years and was restored in 1979.
Central Park History
Fact 22: Over 230 different species of birds
have been spotted over the years in Central Park.
Central Park History
Fact 23: Calvert Vaux's design of Bank Rock
Bridge, also called Cabinet Bridge, was made of carved
white oak with decorative cast-iron panels and pine
decking. It was restored in 2007
Central Park History
Fact 24: Cleopatra's Needle in Central Park: The famous red
granite obelisk referred to as 'Cleopatra's Needle'
dates back to the reign of the Egyptian pharaoh Thutmose
III in 1450 BC. It is one of a pair - the other is by
the River Thames in London. Cleopatra's Needle was
erected on February 22, 1881. It is 21 metres (69 ft)
high, weighs about 224 tons and is inscribed with
Egyptian hieroglyphs.
Central Park History
Fact 25: Christopher Columbus: The bronze
sculpture of Christopher Columbus by Jeronimo Sunol was
created in 1892 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of
Columbus's arrival in the Americas and was unveiled on
May 12, 1894.
Central Park History
Fact 26: Daniel Webster: The bronze sculpture
of Daniel Webster, the great American statesman, was
made by Thomas Ball and erected in 1876.
Central Park History
Fact 27: The 107th Infantry Memorial is a
bronze sculpture and memorial by sculptor Karl Illava
that was dedicated on September 27, 1927
Central Park History
Fact 28: Eagles and Prey is the oldest known
sculpture and was installed in 1863. Eagles and Prey is
in bronze by the sculptor Christophe Fratin. It was a
gift given to the City by Gordon Webster Burnham
(1803-1885).
Central Park History
Fact 29: The Falconer by English sculptor
George Blackall Simonds depicts a man in Elizabethan
clothing releasing a hunting falcon. The bronze statue
was erected in 1875.
Central Park History
Fact 30: The Indian Hunter: The Indian Hunter
is a bronze sculpture by John Quincy Adams Ward, and
first sculpture erected in Central Park by an American
artist. It was dedicated on February 4, 1869.
Central Park History
Fact 31: Robert Burns (1759 – 1796): The
bronze depiction of the famous Scottish poet Robert
Burns is by John Steell and one of four versions, the
others being in Dundee, London and Dunedin. It was
dedicated on October 2, 1880.
Central Park History
Fact 32: William Shakespeare (1564 – 1616):
The tribute to the great English playwright William
Shakespeare is by John Quincy Adams Ward and was
unveiled in 1872.
Central Park History
Fact 33: Frances Hodgeson Burnett Memorial
Fountain: A memorial to Frances Hodgson Burnett (1849 –
1924) that was dedicated in 1936. Frances Hodgeson
Burnett was an English playwright and author famous for
her children's stories including Little Lord Fauntleroy
and The Secret Garden.
Central Park History
Fact 34: The Seventh Regiment Memorial by John
Quincy Adams Ward honors the 58 men of the 7th Regiment
who died defending the Union during the Civil War. It
was erected in June 1874.
Central Park History
Fact 35: Samuel Morse: The bronze depiction of
the famous inventor of the telegraph, Samuel Morse, is
by Byron M. Pickett and was dedicated on June 10, 1871.
Central Park History
Fact 36: Sir Walter Scott (1771 – 1832): The
bronze portrait statue of Walter Scott, the great
Scottish author and poet, is by John Steell, and was
dedicated on November 27, 1872, donated by
Scottish-Americans of New York.
Central Park History
Fact 37: Romeo and Juliet: The works of
William Shakespeare are remembered in the modern bronze
depiction of Romeo and Juliet by American artist Milton
Hebald. It is located in front of Delacorte Theater and
was donated by philanthropist George T. Delacorte, Jr.
in 1978.
Central Park History
Fact 38: King Jagiello (1386 - 1434): The King
Jagiello Monument depicts the ancient Polish king on
horseback. It is by the Polish sculptor Stanisław K.
Ostrowski (1879-1947) and was erected in July 1945.
Central Park History
Fact 39: Giuseppe Mazzini: The bronze bust of
Giuseppe Mazzini, the famous Italilian revolutionary, is
by Giovanni Turini. It was commissioned by a group of
Italian-Americans and was dedicated in 1878.
Central Park History
Fact 40: Fitz-Greene Halleck: The bronze
statue of the American poet Fitz-Greene Halleck is by
James Wilson Alexander MacDonald and installed on May
15, 1877. It was the first statue in Central Park to
depict an American and nearly 10,000 people attended its
dedication.
Central Park History
Fact 41: Victor Herbert: The bronze bust of
composer Victor Herbert is by Edmund Thomas Quinn. The
memorial was commissioned by the American Society of
Composers, Authors, and Publishers and dedicated in
1927.
Central Park History
Fact 42: Untermyer Fountain: Untermyer
Fountain in Central Park features a bronze cast of Walter Schott's Three
Dancing Maidens, and is named after American lawyer
Samuel Untermyer. The Untermyer fountain was donated by
his children, following his death in 1940.
Central Park History
Fact 43: The Arsenal in Central Park: The Arsenal brick
building was built between 1847 and 1851 as a storehouse
for arms and ammunition for the New York State Militia.
Central Park History
Fact 44: Belvedere Castle: Belvedere Castle
in Central Park was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux
and built in 1869 as a Victorian Folly (an extravagant
building built primarily for decoration).
Central Park History
Fact 45: Bethesda Terrace: Bethesda Terrace
was the vision of Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux
to create a sweeping Promenade (the Mall) leading to a
grand terrace overlooking the Lake. It was constructed
in 1859-64. The Bethesda Fountain is a great feature on
the lower level of the terrace depicting an 8 foot
female winged angel and 4 four-foot cherubs representing
Temperance, Purity, Health, and Peace.
Central Park History
Fact 46: The Carousel in Central Park: The original 1871
Central Park carousel was powered by a mule or horse
under the carousel's platform. The current carousel (the
fourth) has 57 hand-carved horses and two chariots.
Central Park History
Fact 47: Delacorte Theater: The Delacorte
Theater in Central Park is an 1,800-seat open-air theater named in honor
of George T. Delacorte, Jr who donated the money for the
construction. It is leased by Shakespeare in the Park
and was opened in 1962.
Central Park History
Fact 48: During the
Great Depression of the 1930's homeless people set up camp
in
Shantytowns and
Hoovervilles. One such shanty town sprang up
in an empty reservoir - now the Great Lawn
in
Central Park. The Central Park shanty town was called "Hoover Valley" and the
shacks were referred to as "Depression Street". It
was demolished in April 1933 when work on the
reservoir landfill resumed.
Central Park History
Fact 49: John Lennon: Strawberry Fields
memorial in Central Park is a 2.5-acre landscaped section that is
dedicated to the memory of
Beatles member John Lennon
and named after the Beatles song "Strawberry Fields
Forever". It was designed by Bruce Kelly and dedicated
on October 9, 1985. The Diana Ross playground was opened in 1987 and features various
swings and slides.
Central Park History
Fact 50: Central Park Zoo: The Central Park
Zoo was opened in 1864 as the menagerie. It the second
publicly owned zoo to be established in the United
States, after the Philadelphia Zoo. The zoo is part of
an integrated system of four zoos and the New York
Aquarium and covers 6.5 acres of Central Park.
Central Park History Facts for Kids
Central Park History - President James Buchanan Video
The article on the Central Park History provides an overview of one of the Important issues of his presidential term in office. The following
James Buchanan video will
give you additional important facts and dates about the political events experienced by the 15th American President whose presidency spanned from March 4, 1857 to March 4, 1861.
Central Park History
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Interesting Facts about Central Park History for kids and schools
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Summary of the Central Park History in US history
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The Central Park History, a important
event in US history
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James Buchanan Presidency from March 4, 1857 to March 4, 1861
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Fast, fun facts about the Central Park History and its zoo
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Foreign & Domestic
policies of President James Buchanan
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James Buchanan Presidency and
the Central Park History for schools,
homework, kids and children
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