The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-05-11

MAP OF WASHINGTON HEIGHTS--THE GROWTH
or THE UPPER END OF New YoRK-Kurth and
Rosa, city surveyors, have sent to this Office for
Our inspection new and original manuscript
map Of Washington Heights beautifully exc
Cuted and colored, and of very large size, being
on scale Of one inch to 200 feet It embraces
the upper part Of Manhattan Island from l55ih
street to Spuyten Duyvel creek. The design is
to show the portions of this region Inhabited
every building being distinctly marked and the
comparative elevation Of the ground at every
prominent point, by means Of contour lines
dotted at various intervals indicating the height
above low water, Just as seacoast chart ex-
bibits the various depths known rs soundines
The mud, the salt meadow and the trees are also
pointed out by appropriate marks Thus the rise
and fall and the grading OF every locality in this
region are made plain to the eye. For instance:
Manhattanville is marked l05 feet above low
water. Alta Vista, at Fort Washington, the high
est point in the Twelfth ward and on this island
go feet above low water. The latter is about
midway on the map between l55th street and
tbe northern boundary OF the island
The information from which the map is drawn
is derived from official sources--the maps OF the
Harbor Commissioners and Of the United States
Coast Survey. Kurth and Rosa, who were en-
ployed on this survey, and are, therefore, well
acquainted with the subject, got it up for
the use of the commissioners for laying
ont the streets and avenues Of Washington
Heights, in anticipation of the act appoint
ing them being passed by the last Legisia-
ture. As that act did not pass, the map is
open for sale to such persons as want it
ready, for example, for any committee who
may be appointed by the property owners
to prepare plan for the adoption of the next
Legislature. It's accuracy can easily be verified
by comparing it with the official data TO which
we have referred
From this map it will be seen that the gradiug
at Fort Washington is SO steep that it falls 220
feet In 400 feet, rendering 1t utterly impractical
BILE TO construct rectangular, dead level streets
after the fashion of the lower part Of the city
The ground presents the same features all along
the Hudson on one side, and towards Harlem
river on the other, so that fortunately the pic
turesque element cannot be destroyed, unless at
a cost far beyond the value Of the ground. The
map shows how Winding roads may be con-
structed along the slopes avoiding the decivi.
ties, and rendered gentle and gradual in ascent
and descent. In this map the line of the
Tenth avenue is prolonged to Kingsbridge,
which continuation is imperatively required by
the necessities of travel This line avoids the
Heights, running between the Ridge and Harlem
river aud east of the Kingsbridge road. From
the Tenth avenue, at the widest portion Of this
ItklDU, W buc liuusOu, ID c'Sutteu uuuuItu
feet (six hundred yards). There is, therefore,
no necessity at present, nor for o long time to
come, Tor any other avenue in the interva! be-
tween it and the Hudson. The Tenth avenue if
prolonged to Kingsbridge, must cross Sherman :
creek, which is indicated on the map, and must
be filed up.
The improvement in the navigation rum tho
East river to Spuyten Duyyel creek adopted in
an act passed by the last Legislature is also
shown on the map. The route to and from the
Hudson, by the mouth of Harlem river, would be
very circuitous and the improvement consists in
widening and deepening a little creek at
222d street, and prolongiDg it in straight line
into Spuyten Duyvel creek. The object is to
facilitate the communication between the North
and East rivers, and to obviate the necessity of
going round the southern end Of the island. This
has been long advocated by the Ifarbor Com
/ miseioners, by Mr.. Beach, of the United States
Coast Survey, by General Totteuham and other
| authorities. The traffic between the Hudson and
the Sound is very considerable, A proposition
was made TO continue sherman's creek to Tubby
Hook for the same purpose but it was abandoned
on account of the necessity for 30 many draw
bridges Were it not for this difficulty, a cut
from Sherman's creek could he easily accom-
pilshed, the ground being all low, with the ex-
ccpGon OF the space of 100 yards, which lies
Twenty ieet above the level of the Hudson. BY
%he improvement about to be carried into effect
not oniy VIII the double object be accomplished
OF shortening the route between The Sound and
the hudson, and of relieving the lower part of
the East river Of numerous small craft. which inn.
pede the movements of steamers and large
vessels, but vast amount Of low priced wharf:
age VIII DC created-a prime necessity for New
York, where The price of wharfage is iniurionsly
highland extensive lumber, limo and brick es-
adjustments, wanted for building, will be pro.
Elded in consequence Of this desirable change.
me neigbborhood Of Harlem will ere long be
LAID out In numerous docks and piers, and soon
that waste marsh viii be alive with business aud
fruitful of dollars
We take this opportunity OF again urging on
the properly owners of Washington Heights the
Importance of holding meeting soon TO fix upon
some plan Of laying out the streets for the adop-
ton Of the next Legislature Here is q splen.
did map ready to hand, and which, we dare say,
can be obtained ct o reasonable rate II ia the
very thing wanted-tbe desideratam supplied.