The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-02-05
YE1uAlLMe the METROPOLIS.
ACCOUNT OF FULTON MARKET.



q imporar &c 1t is next to Washington market. Its
basiness, however, though chiefly Wholesale is also
- different character. Washington market deals
extensively in country produce while the prin-
spal trade Of Fulton market is in fish, and all vare
ties Of meat. The latter does not in fact present
the same inducements to farmers TO send their pro-
1nee to il; the space is limited, and the accommoda
tons very poor. About three or four years ago the
supply Of vegetables was informed, more
abundant; but within the last year two, the
ny wagons from Long Island have left it for Washing
ton market where they have found q more extensive
custom and better SALE Fulton market on account
Of lbs situation, have large trade in vege
tables and will always remain inferior, in its general
business, to Washington market. There Is no room
FOR expansion, and it, limits must, therefore, remain
always the same, unless some future Common Council
should order the dock in front to be filed in ltisnot
probable, however, that this will ever be done, no
matter how requisite it may appear, the East river
i too at this point to admit of any contrac
ton. Still, there is very extensive under the
market, and sufficient accommodation for about two
hundred stands and stalls. The market building it.
SELF is bounded by Front, Beekman, Fulton and South
streets, and forms square, each side Of which is
about two hundred feet in length Between South
Szeet and the river, there about fifteen stands,
or more properly speaking sheds, for the sale of fish
and fruit mainly. Under these the most extensive
Wholesale business in fish is transacted, and the deal
en- supply not only the various markets in New York,
bat in Williamsburg and Brooklyn.
The value of the whole property is estimated at
$40, 900, which is $4,000 less than Washington
market. There is, however, great disparity in the
proportion of their rents to the amount of the pro-
perty, for while the latter yields revenue Of
@33 900 to the city treasury every year the former
pays about SIS 900. This material difference, how
is accounted for by the fact that there are more
than twice the number of stands in Washington
market ; and also that considerable part of the
derived from it is received for the rent of
stands and sheds erected the ground between
West street and the river, which believe is not
Included in the Comptrollers estimate Of the market
property.
The amount received from Fulton market for rent,
has very largely increased within the last few years.
OF the $50 IS received in 1851 Sl0,227 SO was
paid for the rent Of cellars of which this market has
more than any other in the city. The rent for
hutchers stands during the same year, amounted to
43,240 AZ; the remainder being paid for vegetable,
Ash, poultry, and other stands. The highest rent
paid for the best stand in the market does not exceed
three dollars week, while the poorest stand rents
The retail dealers in fancy wares, apple women, and
coffee and pie men. The coffee stands as general
hing, quite ornament to the market, and are
regarded a great convenience to the dealers and
shers doing business tire, who are unable to leave
he market to obtain their meals elsewhere. They
are, therefore, pretty well patronized.
Fulton market established about thirty years
ago, on s present site. Soon after its erection the
whole number of stalls, amounting to eighty-six,
were put up at auction and disposed Of for Sl9 Ol5
which s an average Of $2I6 for each stand. The
lowest price for which stand can be purchased now
= $3.50 and some Of the dealers would not dispose
q their title for five six thousand dollars. The
aggregate value of all the stands may be estimated
at 300 ,000 which is rather under than over their
neal worth to the dealers. The price paid for the
sands thirty years since, about equal to the rent
receipts at present Bot it appears that the business
u the market limited at that period that there
we're more stands than could be proitaby occupied
md many of the victuallers unable TO pay their
rents. This led to a reduction Of the numbers TWEEN
3yseven of the butchers stalls in the southeast wing
being allotted to fishermen, and the residue were
kt at o diminished price.
The market building, which is at present not in
very good repair is story high, with basement
the roof being supported large number Of
Stone pillars. The butchers stalls occupy three
sides of the building, the centre being occupied by
commission dealers in fowls, and ell kinds Of meat,
besides large number who sell vegetables, butter,
cheese, &c. All the oyster stands are situated on
The side of the market nearest to Fulton street and
they occupy a considerable space. Immediately in
front of each Is separate stand in which several per-
sons constantly employed in opening oysters Tie
principal stands display , great deal Of taste in
their construction and the most attractive in the
whole market. They are all made of wood, and
Intended an imitation Of the Gothic style, and
are certainly superior to those in Washington mar
ket, and may add, to any other market in the
city. Each has a kind Of restaurant attached, in
which oysters dressed suit all tastes served mp
dnring all hours OF the day. Considerable quantities
~ oysters disposed Of in this manner for they
are an article Of food that market dealers are very
partial to-
We have said that the market is in bad repair;
but still it is superior TO many others in the city.
There three brick buildings attached TO it, each
- which is occupied boarding house. while the
cellars or Easements occupied retail provision
and liquor stores, restaurants, &c. The business
done in these ia very large, aud the rent paid for
them forms than one-haf the revenue from the
whole market Independent OF the rent received
from those who bold stands, stalls, and sheds,
small amount is collected ky the clerk Of the market,
Mr.. Isaacs, from pedars of various kinds each OF
whom is required by the ordinance to pay one shil.
ing per week for the privilege or disposng Of hi-
wares inside the limits Of the market lie also col
iects a market fee Of six cents per day for every
sand occupied by comtryman selling the produce
- his own farm and CITY cents from each person
employed a. agent by such countryman.
The quarters assigned q the dealers in country
produce, situated in the lower part Of the market
near South street. Every morning during the fruit
and vegetable season, il is crowded 10 render II
almost impossible to pass, while the thoroughiore j.