New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-02-13
THE BOULEVARDS.
WHAT ARE THEY, AND WHERE ARE THEY

a great zeal IS Silu JUST HON avn" 49,
Bouevards OF this city, and the immense advantages
accrung from them TO the metropolis Tic subject has
been discussed repeatedly ia tho daily papers ana mas
been the current topic OF the day in the mouths OF re
estate agents. Most magnificent accounts Of these I'M
provemens have been lid before the pubic rom mc 10
time Few however fully understand the naiufa or I'M
portance Of the work. The question is often asked
"What are the Boulevards. and where are tie Boue.
varisiv The name Of Boulevard Is associated ia the
American mind with the capital OF France, "hi'hor
all good Americans 20 when they die. UcalS mp pictures
Of broad finely paved streets lined with handsome shops
and cafes. and sidewalks thrORged with peasEreseeng
prOmenaders. The name "B0uleyards" was originally
applied to roads occupying the site OF demolished forth
hcatiors. Their position necessarily oohiined TO tie
outskirts Of cities, which they enconpassed TO greater
or less extent The term soon was misapphed ulitbe-
merely another for the main avenues OF a
metropolis Paris has its Boulevar9s running all around
and through the heart OF the city, in every possible d.
recton. Those. belonging the former class furnish
the best drives in the immediate vicinity Of the capital
while the latter devoted to shopping purposes Tho
Boulevards of New-York simply those thorough
fares or avenues branching Of from, above. Central
Park and traversng tho whole upper portion OF Ian
Island. Some Of these in process Of compile
ton, and with others the natOy steps have yet 10 be
taken in their construction.
Bonoparte rendered incalculable servce' 20 France
when he turned his attention TO the construction Of mill
tary roads through the extent Of his empire Napoleon
ILL., closely initiating his ustrious predecessor. has
widened Strengthened out end improved tie streets Of
Paris as 10 render them the wonder aud admiration Of
the world In most OF the capitals Of Europe the subject
Of streetmakng has been carefully studied. COMPARE
son Of some Of the principal and thOrougfares
Of this and other countries may be o. interest to tho
reader. Tho Neva Perspective" In ST. Petersburg,
generally considered Of the finest streets in Europe
is 100 feet broad "Uner den Llnden" the main street
CT Berlin, is feet WIDE In Paris, the Avenue DO
Tho
ogne" is 40 feet in width the Avenue Neuiy" Is 81
feet the Avenue Vncennes" Is 23l feet and the New
Boulevard Malsherbes les feet wide The older bOue
wards Of that city vary considerably In width but none
of them are less than 16J feet wide. Atlantcave IN
Brooklyn Is 100 feet broad; Pennsylyaniaaye in Wash
ngton is 40 feet wide whetho other vary from
100 to 40 feet and the streets 50 40 feet tho
average being 80 feet In New York, Fourtavc above
Thrtyfourthst wdened not long since, 20 40 feet
the other old avenues however, ere 100 feet wde All
the new bouevards Will be at least 100 feet BROAD 1t -
deemed that 100 feet amply sufficient for the width of
most public thoroughfares. breadth much greater than
this would be incompatible with the best interests of this
city, occupying too much valuable roOm and involving
too much expense An exception 10 this rule will be made
in several Of boulevard where the will b.
| $50 feet wide.
The origin Of these boulevards of NewYork can be at
trbued the peculiar formation Of Manhattan Island
NewYork is much elongated in proportion to Its
breadth. In pursuance Of mistaken policy In the carly
history Of the city large portion Of tho upper part Of
the island was, till lately, entirely neglected. In the
mean time the city has been extending up higher and
higher, till IL has reached the limits OF this deserted
waste. Narrowed down this boundary, there dau
ger Of its being cramped for want OF room and it has
been felt that immediate steps must be taken for it,
lief For the past Is years the uptown growth OF this
metropolis has been confined 70 the side OF the
island The land here less irregular in its general
surface, easily graded aud altogether more free
|
railroads on the Second Third and Fourhaves rendered
il very accessible. AS a result OF all these socGed adj
vantages 1t was soon built UP TO the Harlem bridge
The line OF travel confined to this route and every
one considered it the most desirable land above Fifty
nintlst Property increased very much IN value lots
West side Many were duped into the belief that tails
was and would continue 10 be- tho most eligible site for
For many years the west side OF the city between Fifty
ninthst and e-hundredaud fifty fth.st, bad been
had been opened The surface OF this portion Of tho
island is elevated and tho landscape Is particularly fine
The Manhattanyille valley, running mp 70 O1ehuudred
andthirtythrds divides It INTO two tracts OF highland
This VALLEY + nearly a. low as the YaISI level 6SSge
hundredand fifty hfthst. Is high shonider OF land
where in the line of Ninthaye. the level Of tAe Harlem
Plain From 100 TO 2j feet IN hight II has in places
nith-st, no attempts till lately made 10 open
avenues or reclaim the land from ITS original wduess
IL thought the expense would be roo great anG 50
tho most valuable part OF the island neglected. THIS
is called the Fort Washington region, the Field Its
that of the east side, while lis natural beauty aud adj
vanages are unequaled II is three and two.tnld miles
and comprises about 700 acres II land II is bounded by
Observation-Disclosures f-st on the south. the Hudson
ten Duyvil Creek the north. The surface is varied
and irregular. About half way between the Harlem and
Hudson Rivers valley is formed by two ranges 81 hills
commencing she line of Fort Washington. ard lying
IN easteryand south westerly direction. Tho old
Klngsbrdge road runs directly through It. On tie west
Side of the valley the cliffs are abrupt and almost nac
cessbe West OF the road. ana close spuy
| ground
the chain OF hills tie Hudson The eastern spur OF
Highlands terminates north OF Fort George. aud at its
foot lies OF sixty OF salt meadow. From
here north TO spuyten Duyvi on the east OF the Kings
bridge Road the land merely surface Ine
highest point Manhattan Island is at Washington
flights, on tho grounds OF James Gordon BeAnet, esq
where the hills rise to the hight OF 24 feet above low
water Here TO be seen the remains OF Fort Wash
ngton. Most Of this territory covered with wood oaks,
chestnuts, walnnts, cedars eims dc, beng found in
abundance. Forests and Of considerable
| and beauty constitute pleasing feature. The land
above Northumberland fty -ffh.st, is owned By $50
! proprietors among whom are Chas. 0C0DOr, Lucius
Chitenden Isaac DycimaD, Daniel HGticreld. Madame
Jumel, l. r. Martin, James Gordon Bennett G ~ Con
JOS Potter Deylin, H. Seaman, and Fergusaon Isaac
Dyckman possesses the largest tract OF ground, com-
the Juvenile Asylum. the Blind Asylum, 'hc Deaf and
Dumb Institute, the Neagle Cemetery. and the Public
School at Tubby Hook The population OF this region IS
from 1900. There are about $50 houses, OF
which are large and elegant country seats; PIC. OF
was lately bought FOR the site OF new reserve for the
healthy location aud diversified scenery OF the upper
pOrtOnof the island, seemed 10 reudrr delight
fui region for private residences All &c requires 10 make
It the popular the establishment OF con.
yenlent means of access In tho way OF broad ad spen
did carriago-ways.
Each year desrableness OF institun some changes
and improvements in the region above ftyninthst.
and west OF Elghth-ave has been more aud felt
has been ebowing It's way further uptown into
many OF The hitherto fashionable streets. ana there
seemed to be- safety against It's elcroachnent any
where below Madison square Many PORTIONS of tne city
have become fesrfuly OyercrOwded. aud mode OF
reilei Is felt absolutely necessary Tie hgst
NJ Ina Xe fsfl WA maj