I got the vaccine--how soon can I run?

The COVID-19 vaccine distribution is ramping up, and many avid runners are beginning to wonder how a vaccination will impact their training (or just for fun running!). At City Running Tours we understand that whether or not to get the vaccine is a completely personal and private choice, but, since we’re all about spreading the history of our cities—and the COVID-19 vaccine is a monumental event in our current world—we thought we’d share how your vaccine might affect your running schedule for a few days.

First and foremost, the CDC claims that there is no evidence that exercising before or after receiving the vaccine will affect its efficacy. If you go directly from the gym to the vaccination center, or you want to run home after, your vaccine will be just as effective as it would be if you took it easy.

However, it’s important to note that all forms of the COVID-19 vaccine come with potential side effects, including headaches, fatigue, dizziness, chills, and nausea. It can also cause muscle soreness at the injection site. If you feel any of these symptoms, it’s probably safer to rest rather than exercise. It’s up to you to judge how working out will affect your body. Some people feel no side effects at all, and, in that case, exercise for as long and intensely as you want!

After receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, it’s important to listen to your body, and give it what it needs—there’s plenty of time to run once the side effects wear off! And, speaking of time to run, we are thrilled at the thought of a more open, hopefully COVID-free world in our future. We can’t wait to hit the streets of our wonderful cities with even better clients and friends. Come run with us!

TAKING YOU OUT TO THE BALLGAME! A NEW YORK CITY HISTORY OF THE YANKEES!

Out in front of “The House That Ruth Built”

In honor of the baseball season starting, we will be running Uptown in the northern section of Manhattan to highlight the New York City history of one of the MLB’s most iconic teams—the New York Yankees. We begin on Broadway and 165th Street in Washington Heights. 

Let’s start with what we all know:

The Bronx-based Yankees are one of the most successful teams in baseball history, with 27 World Series titles and 40 American League pennants. However, the Yankees didn’t start out in the Bronx. 

Here is where it gets interesting:

The story of the Yankees begins in Baltimore, Maryland, where the Yankees competed as the Orioles in 1901. In 1903, the Orioles were bought by Frank Farrell and Bill Devery, who moved the team to New York City and changed their name to the New York Highlanders. Part of the American League, the Highlanders were often nicknamed “Yanks,” and, in 1913, the team officially became the Yankees. 

This new team originally played its games at Hilltop Park in Washington Heights, which is now the location of Columbia Presbyterian Hospital at Broadway between 165th & 168th Streets. In fact, there is a garden on the Fort Washington Street side of the hospital. In 1993, the Yankees dedicated a bronze plaque in the shape of home plate to Hilltop Park, that has been placed in the exact location that home plate originally was. The Highlanders continued to play in Hilltop Park until 1912 when they moved to a newly rebuilt Polo Grounds just a short distance away and soon after as mentioned above, officially became the Yankees. 

From Broadway and 165th Street we will run southeast to Highbridge Park. 

The lower section of the park is known as Coogan’s Bluff, named after James Coogan the owner of  land, overlooking the most eastern part of Washington Heights, the Harlem River and the western section of the Bronx. It was this land just below the Bluff that was the location of the Polo Grounds. From the Bluff you could see right into the stadium. Home plate was on the near side and centerfield was on the far side. Even if you did not have tickets you could still catch a glimpse of a game. Within Coogan's Bluff a memorial plaque honoring the field and an old stairway remain that would take you down the hill to the stadium. The stairway located at 157th Street and Edgecombe Avenue is closed off because it is in disrepair. On one of the landings is a marker that states, “The John T. Brush Stairway presented by the New York Giants.” The stairway honors Brush, the owner of the Polo Grounds, and was used by fans to get to the ticket booth behind home plate. On a rock outcropping facing the Harlem River Drive is the plaque honoring the New York Giants. The Yankees played in the Polo Grounds between 1912 and 1922. 

View of the Polo Grounds from Coogan’s Bluff

In 1915, Jacob Ruppert Jr. and Tillinghaust Huston purchased the Yankees for $450,000. Jacob Ruppert, Jr. was a National Guard colonel; a U.S. Representative from New York and brewery owner. Ruppert's 24 years as a Yankee owner saw him build the team from near moribund to a baseball powerhouse. His own strength as a baseball executive — including his willingness to wheel and deal — was aided by the business skills of general manager Ed Barrow and the forceful field managing of Miller Huggins and Joe McCarthy. By the time of his death, the team was well on its way to becoming the most successful in the history of Major League Baseball, and eventually in North American professional sports. They hired pitcher Carl Mays from the Boston Red Sox in 1918, and purchased Babe Ruth in 1919. and he became the sole owner. During these early years, the Yankees never had a ballpark of their own. This all changed in 1922 when Ruppert bought our Huston to become the sole owner. 

Babe Ruth and Jacob Ruppert Jr.

We continue running down the hill on Edgecombe Avenue to 155th Street, over the Macombs Dam Bridge into the Bronx to finish our tour at the current Yankee Stadium.

In 1923, the Yankees moved to their first stadium of their own, the original Yankee Stadium, fondly known as “The House that Ruth Built” and the rest is history. 27 Championships, and names like Gerhig, Dimaggio, Mantle, Berra,  Munson, Mattingly, Rivera, Jeter...we could go on and on. In 2009, then owner of the Yankees since 1973, George Steinbrenner followed in the footsteps of Ruppert and created a new home for the Yankees across the street from the original one and the tradition continued as they won their 27th Championship in the first year of residence. 

Just off of Macombs Dam Bridge to today’s Yankee Stadium

As much as The Yankees are a fundamental element of New York’s identity, we feel that the city is an equal part to who they are. A story like this wouldn’t just happen anywhere because when you win in this city you are forever remembered as a New Yorker!

Thanks for running with us. We look forward to you next time!!

REMEMBERING THE TRIANGLE SHIRTWAIST FACTORY FIRE OF 1911

On today’s run we head to Greenwich Village to remember the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire of 1911 and the role women played as labor leaders after. On March 25, 1911, at approximately 4:40 PM, a fire broke out at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory at the corner of Greene Street and Washington Place, just east of Washington Square Park. One hundred and forty-six women and men, mostly recent Jewish and Italian immigrants, many under the age of 20, died in the fire. The fire was a pivotal moment in the nation’s history, informing workplace fire and safety laws, labor policy and laws, uplifting the labor movement, and even influencing building codes.

While the building was able to withstand the fire, almost all manners of egress from the building were faulty. Fire trucks arrived, but their ladders only reached the 6th floor, while the fire burned on the 8th, 9th, and 10th floors. Workers who tried to exit through the fire escape fell to their deaths when it collapsed. On the 9th floor, a critical exit in the stairway was locked. People on the street watched as the workers began to jump out the windows. The elevators ran as long as they could as workers pressed into the cars; some tumbled down the elevator shaft.

The company’s owners, Max Blanck and Isaac Harris, who survived the fire by fleeing to the building’s roof when the fire began, were indicted on charges of first- and second-degree manslaughter for locking the door. They were found not guilty. The Committee on Public Safety was formed in New York City, headed by a young Frances Perkins, and State resources were devoted to strengthening public safety laws.

In a time of mass unemployment, unlivable working conditions, and a renewed push for workers’ rights across American industries, it is worth remembering the pivotal role played by women in the labor movement of the early 20th century.

These young, working, immigrant women, like Emma Goldman, Rose Schneiderman and Pauline Newman, fled the pogroms of Eastern Europe only to struggle against economic, political, and gender-based oppression in the United States. At a time when women were barred from voting, they found a way to transform their disempowerment into action, organizing workers into mass strikes throughout the country and refashioning how working people thought about the value of their own lives.

Spurred by the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, these women changed the course of history in part through the International Ladies’ Garment Workers Union (ILGWU). Once one of the country’s largest labor unions, it was among the first unions in the United States with a primarily female membership. It became a major force in the labor movement of the early 20th century. The ILGWU was racially integrated, and African American women workers were actively recruited by Black organizers like Floria Pinkney. The union flourished, offering members economic security as well as educational programming and community.

As we close out Women’s History Month, let us always remember and appreciate those who stood up for what is right, to provide all women and men, of all backgrounds and colors, equal opportunity. Their goal was to make life better for future generations, and because we still experience these inequalities today, we should learn from their example to do the same. 

Thanks for running with us! We look forward to next time!!

The Life of Shirley Chisholm

At City Running Tours, we love to highlight the people who have shaped and bettered our cities. Through highlighting the incredible diversity of key historical figures, we find pride in showing off the important legacies and stories our cities leave behind. Today, in honoring Women’s History Month, we are excited to share the inspiring life of Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman in congress.

Chisholm was born in Brooklyn, New York on November 30, 1924. Her father was an immigrant from Guyana, and her mother was born in Barbados. Although incredibly smart, having graduated from Brooklyn College cum laude in 1946, Chisholm recognized the inequality that faced her as both an African American and a woman. That didn’t deter her from making history, though.

Chisholm took an interest in political life after earning a master’s degree from Columbia University for early childhood education and working as a nursery schoolteacher. She joined the League of Women Voters, the NAACP, the Urban League, and the Democratic Party club in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. Her passion for equality and progress led her to becoming the second African American in the New York State Legislature in 1964. In 1968, she became the first Black woman in Congress.

While in Congress, Chisholm introduced over 50 pieces of legislation that raised issues of racial and gender inequality. In 1983, Chisholm retired and co-founded the National Political Congress of Black Women.

Chisholm was a powerful voice for change throughout her political career, and her legacy lives on today, as we continue to struggle with the causes she championed. She is currently being honored with a statue in Brooklyn. We are proud to share her story with all of our City Running Tours clients.

This Women’s History Month, we remember Chisholm as exactly the person she endeavored to be; “I want to be remembered as a woman…who dared to be a catalyst of change.”

Safety Tips for Female Runners

At City Running Tours, we strive to focus on the fun aspects of running—the community it builds, the confidence it brings us, and the mental and physical strength it promotes. But we also know that there are many safety considerations to take into account before and during a run. Especially for female runners, venturing outside in sometimes sparsely populated locations can present a fair amount of threats. That’s why we want to share some simple tips for keeping our female athletes safe while on the run.

Run with a safety device

As much as we want to think nothing will ever harm us, we don’t know what risks we might encounter. In order to protect against a potential threat, runners may want to carry a personal safety device. This can be pepper spray, a small taser, an alarm, a whistle, or anything that can function as a weapon, and that you feel comfortable carrying and using. Knowing you have some sort of added protection may help you feel calmer during the run, as well.

Keep music at a low volume, or off completely

It’s crucial that you’re extremely aware of your surroundings while running. Try to limit distractions. If you do run with music, make sure you can still clearly hear everything that’s going on around you. Better yet, opt for a silent run--especially if you’re in an unfamiliar place.

Avoid running in the dark

Running during the day is usually safer than after dark because more people tend to be out and about, and it’s easier to see what’s happening around you. Because of this, it’s better to run while the sun’s still out. Our lives get busy, though, so, if you have to run in the dark, make sure you choose a location where you feel comfortable. Try to run with a buddy, if you’re going in the dark. Make sure you have a headlamp or other light source. It’s also important that someone you trust knows where you are, and when you plan to be home.

Run with your phone

Many runners choose to leave their phones at home in hopes of a social media-free workout, and because phones are clunky and awkward to carry. But carrying a phone is a smart safety measure, especially if you’ll be running somewhere unfamiliar.

Don’t run on a regular schedule

If you run in the same place at the same times, it’s easy for potential predators to pick up on your routine. Changing up your schedule can dispel any patterns of behavior that you don’t want noticed. Try running in different places at different times—it’s fun to change things up a bit, too!

The takeaway

Unfortunately, female runners have to consider their safety every time they head out the door. The key is to make smart choices and listen to yourself when you feel uncomfortable. You can practice safe running by carrying a personal safety device, running without distractions, avoiding running in the dark, and changing up your routine. You shouldn’t be scared to run, but taking these added safety measures will ensure your run is as successful as possible.

Happy Women's History Month!

March is Women’s History Month, and, at City Running Tours, we want to highlight the power and strength of all the women in our communities. To kick-off the month, we are sharing the origin story of Women’s History Month, and why it is so significant.

Believe it or not, Women’s History Month was not always an entire month long. According to womenshistorymonth.gov, it began as a week-long national celebration in 1981 “when Congress passed Pub. L. 97-28 which authorized and requested the President to proclaim the week beginning March 7, 1982 as ‘Women’s History Week.’” The celebratory week was so popular, it became an annual tradition. Then, in 1987, the National Women’s History Project petitioned Congress to designate the entire month of March as “Women’s History Month.” Today, we acknowledge all of the incredible contributions women have made to the United States and its legacy.

In celebrating Women’s History Month, we seek to recognize the achievements of women across a variety of fields—from politics to sports to art. We remember famous females like Susan B. Anthony, Rosa Parks, Harriet Tubman and Ruth Bader Ginsberg. But we also appreciate the strong women in our own lives—mothers, sisters, wives, friends. Women have shaped history on a large scale, but they also shape our own personal lives. By celebrating Women’s History Month, we can learn to better acknowledge the sacrifices of the women who are close to us.

At City Running Tours, we seek to uphold the power of women through showcasing landmarks dedicated to strong women on our tours, and by promoting female participation in athletics. Our female guides are incredibly accomplished, and we are proud to have them on our team. We truly believe that Beyoncé is right when she says, “girls run the world.”

Happy Women’s History Month!

Remembering a Great Day in Harlem

Harlem 1958 by Art Kane

As much as we are about running, it really is the vehicle to share the story of our city. And today our run is going to take us up to East Harlem as we take a look back at one of the most iconic photos taken in music and New York City History.

Harlem 1958, now known as “A Great Day in Harlem” was the brainchild of the 33 year old Art Kane, who made a name for himself as a magazine art director, but had been studying photography at the New School in Manhattan. In fact this photo was his first professionally commissioned work that he did, which not only made history but launched a new career for him. 

The story goes that he became aware that Esquire was planning a big issue on jazz. Art pitched the idea to shoot a big portrait with as many musicians that he could get and the powers that be were into it. He then had to decide on a location, and to him it made the most sense for it to be in Harlem. Kane was a fan of the music and knew that Harlem was where the jazz scene came into being, and he wanted a place that reflected everyday life rather than a club. 

Kane chose 126th St. between Fifth and Madison Aves. This location was convenient to the subway and what was then the New York Central Railroad (now Metro North), which had a station at 125th and Park. It was also a neighborhood where a lot of the musicians lived or were staying as they performed in local clubs. He put out the call for musicians through agents, record labels, union halls, clubs — pretty much any channel he could think of.

And it worked! 58 musicians, young and old showed up for an exceptionally early (in jazz time) call of 10 am. These musicians were used to playing all night at the clubs and wouldn’t get home until 4 am, so it was a bit of a surprise that so many did turn up. In fact the joke amongst the musicians was that they did not know that there were two 10 o’clocks in the same day. The reason for the “early” call time was to take advantage of the best lighting. There were fewer things for the photographer to control, because they weren’t shooting in a studio.

Among the greats who made the gig that morning were Count Basie, Coleman Hawkins, DIzzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk, Maxine Sullivan, Charles Mingus, Horace Silver, Willie “the Lion” Smith, Benny Golsen, Gene Krupa, Mary Lou Williams, Sonny Rollins, Art Blakey, Oscar Pettiford, Jimmy Rushing, Roy Eldridge, Milt Hinton, Lester Young just to name a few. It was a crazy scene, made even more perfect by the row of neighborhood kids who sat in a row along the curb alongside a jovial Basie. There were musicians from several eras of jazz and the photo depicted what a robust scene it was for jazz musicians in New York City.

In 1994, a documentary directed by Jean Bach, “A Great Day in Harlem” tells the story behind Harlem 1958. It shows the musicians milling about, greeting each other, telling stories, laughing — doing just about everything but paying attention to the photographer across the street, who implored them to come into formation through a megaphone improvised from a rolled-up newspaper. It was Oscar nominated and worth watching as you get to hear the story from those who were there. 

Marion McPartland (left) and Thelonious Monk (right w/ glasses)

Lucky Roberts (left), Willie “The Lion” Smith (left)

On this day in August of 1958, a group of contemporaries came together in a city that defined the art they were creating. They got a chance to put down their instruments, be themselves and share in the impact they had on society. Only two of the 58 are still alive, Sonny Rollins and Benny Golsen, and even though it has been over 60 years they are still very appreciative of being included in this great moment in Black History. Being a part of the photo only tells a part of the story of each of these musicians. That along with their music will live on forever, and continues to inspire us every day. 

Thanks for running with us! We look forward to next time!!

When a Runner Cannot Run

When A Runner Cannot Run…

By CRT NYC guide, Shelly Ramoni

Perhaps one of the worst experiences a runner can have is being sidelined from running. Chances are if you are a runner and you’re reading this, you have just winced at the thought of the time when this has happened to you...OR, you are experiencing this right now. 

Runners run, and when we can’t run, (our partners, spouses, and roommates will attest to this), we are a bit unpleasant to be around. If this is you, and it certainly is me, it’s because we all have several reasons why we run. For me, it is my physical, spiritual, and emotional outlet, I am right with the world when I am running. It’s my “me” time, as well as my time to explore one of the many areas in which I live. 

When I became a tour guide for City Running Tours, I will never forget my first Brooklyn Bridge Tour. I had lived in NYC for nearly 15 years, and I had never gone over the Brooklyn Bridge into Manhattan before that day. As I ran across the bridge that morning with a mother and son visiting from California, I realized that we as runners have the gift of seeing the world around us in the most unique and magical ways. .

So what does a runner do when a runner cannot run? First it is important to meet your body where it is at. It truly depends on the injury you are experiencing, and certainly seeking the guidance of a professional is strongly advised. Once you understand what types of movement you can do around your injury, it is time to get moving! Motivation can be extremely difficult for a runner who can't run (or run in the way they want to run). However, to maintain mental and physical health it is vital to keep moving as long as you are working with the injury and not against it. 

What are some things that you can do while not running?

• Indoor cycling (use resistance that will not aggravate the injury)

• Swimming

• Strength training, (ie weighted resistance training, band resistance, isometric holds)

• Working balance and proprioceptors (ie Bosu exercises*,unilateral movements that force balance, core stability, Stability ball exercises*)

• Walking! (If you are weight bearing this is probably the most beneficial movement...more on that and how you can still enjoy our City Running Tours with this activity!)

While these alternatives may not “feed your soul” in the same way as running does, they will get you back to doing what you love most much faster than staying immobile!

While you are busy getting yourself back to running condition it is important to recognize the significance of pain. We as runners are so used to running through pain. We do every time we set out to complete long distances, such as marathons and half marathons. We therefore learn to stop listening to our body’s signals as we muscle through, making our injuries or conditions worse. However, is every pain an indication to stop? 

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/8-aches-pains-shouldnt-ignore/. 

As we are moving and working around our injury in a safe way, we begin to be able to differentiate between the two. It is also important to note that while I am saying to move, rest and recovery days are equally important! Sleep and rest days from activity are vital. Your body is already working harder to repair and restore tissue, so working at 50-70% capacity during this time is probably the best percentage to follow. Your rate of perceived effort during the activity while you are healing should never exceed 70%. If you overwork your body, you can add stress and stress hormones which can block your recovery.

As I stated earlier, walking is great, and a great way to maintain aerobic fitness while you are recovering. This is also a way in which we can determine when your body is ready to start running again. https://www.running-physio.com/returnafterinjury/ 

If you are able to walk briskly for 30 min and have complete range of motion without swelling or sharp pain, then perhaps you can begin to introduce some slow running into the mix! Start out with a run-walk method. For me 30 seconds of running, and 30 seconds of walking has always been a great way to start. As a run coach this is what I offer up to my clients. This allows for you to be able to really listen to your body! If you start to feel pain during the walking intervals then you know, you may have to give it a bit more time!

Start out with 10 min of 30:30, and if within 72 hours after your run you are fine, meaning no inflammation reaction, then you are good to increase the duration to 15 min. Stick with 30:30 for the first couple of weeks and if you are feeling good try increasing the time of jogging to 45 seconds, then to 1 min, and gradually increase the running duration. I would suggest to stick within a 30 minute overall workout until you are able to run straight through for 30min pain free and with no delayed inflammation reaction.

As I mentioned earlier, you can still experience the benefits of exploring your surroundings in a unique and magical way. City Running Tours is now offering Virtual Tours, which you can find in the archives on our Instagram page! We offer walking tours as well as running tours! The benefit of having the Virtual Tour is that you can feel free to follow your own pace and keep safe in whatever stage you are at with walking, run-walking, or full running.

Remember, even if you are not running right at this moment, it does not take away from the fact that you are a runner, and the days of your return will come to you before you know it! Stay strong and positive and use this community of people who understand exactly where you are at to support you!

Finding Love Outside of Romance

Valentine’s Day is the only day of the year dedicated solely to celebrating love. But for many, Valentine’s Day usually involves more stress than the excitement and happiness that comes with being in love. Those who are in relationships worry over dinner plans and gifts. If we’re single, we’re forced to stay home in our pajamas watching rom-coms and wondering if we’ll be alone forever. At the end of the day, we’re all a bit like Carrie Bradshaw—looking for “real love; ridiculous, inconvenient, consuming, can’t live without each other love.”

But the thing about love is that it isn’t limited to interpersonal relationships, and we tend to forget that. There are so many things to love in life, and we should celebrate those. At City Running Tours, we love to run, and we love our cities—that’s why we exist.

So, how do we show love to places and activities? We show up for them, just like we would a person. We tie our shoes every day and go for our runs; we indulge that passion for the elevated beating of our hearts and the pounding of our feet on the pavement. Running brings us the same sense of security and fulfillment that we feel in a strong interpersonal relationship—it makes us more confident, it fosters our creativity and curiosity, and it roots for us to be our best selves; to be better every single day.

What about the places we love, how do they nourish us? Our environments challenge us; they fuel our thirst for adventure. One of the things we love best about our City Running Tours routes is they allow us to explore our cities and leave the comfort and familiarity of our neighborhoods. We get to learn the history of where we live, and that, in turn, helps us better understand ourselves within a larger context. We can firmly plant ourselves in a greater story—one that spans generations, races, and all of the fundamental things that make humans unique and beautiful. We feel a sense of community with those who came before us. What’s not to love about that?

So, this Valentine’s Day, perhaps we approach love from a different perspective. Especially this year, when so many of us feel lonely and isolated, we must remember that love shouldn’t be limited to other people. Of course, we all have individuals within our lives whom we love, and unfortunately Valentine’s Day is marketed solely toward romantic love. But love is so much greater than romance. Love is woven into every seam of our lives—it’s in the activities we do, the places we inhabit, and even in something as simple as the cream in our morning coffees. Perhaps we’re without a significant other this Valentine’s Day, but we’re never without love.

Sharing The Story of Seneca Village

If you’ve been to New York City, there’s a good chance you’ve been to Central Park. It is one of the many joys of living and running here. In fact, it is one of the most popular choices by clients for a tour. It is a bucket list item for any runner, both local or visitor to the city, and it is something we could never get tired of running through and sharing with others. We get the opportunity to tell the story of the park and provide information that always surprises our clients.

For instance, did you know that the inspiration for Central Park was a cemetery? In the mid 1800’s, residents of the city and in particular Brooklyn would travel to Greenwood Cemetery and stroll through the open land for fresh air amongst those buried there. Also, at least five waterfalls exist in Central Park, all of them running with the city’s tap water. Coming straight from the Catskills to the Jacqueline Onassis Reservoir, the clean water is technically suitable for drinking, although you’d probably get some strange looks.

But there’s a part of the story of the park we never get to see and often do not hear about. It’s a piece of hidden history that goes back to the 1820s, when this land was largely the open countryside of New York. The expanse became home to about 1,600 people — many of whom were escaping the crowded and increasingly dangerous conditions of lower Manhattan. A place called Seneca Village. 

Before we get into the story, let’s go back a little further. What many people do not realize is that New York City in the late 1700’s was second only to Charleston, SC in numbers of slaves, and that it would not be abolished until 1827, at least on paper. 

This is what made Seneca Village such an important time in NYC history. It was an opportunity that African Americas had never had before, that would draw a connection between the aspirations that Seneca Village represented for the black families who invested in property there and the racial torment they often faced in crowded upstart Lower Manhattan. 

In 1825, landowners in the area, John and Elizabeth Whitehead, subdivided their land and sold it as 200 lots. Andrew Williams, a 25-year-old African-American shoeshiner, bought the first three lots for $125. Epiphany Davis, a store clerk, bought 12 lots for $578, and the AME Zion Church purchased another six lots. From there a community was born. From 1825 to 1832, the Whiteheads sold about half of their land parcels to other African-Americans. By the early 1830s, there were approximately 10 homes in the Village. And when Irish and German immigrants moved in, it became a rare example of racial harmony in an integrated neighborhood during this period.

There is some evidence that residents had gardens and raised livestock in Seneca Village, and the nearby Hudson River was a likely source of fishing for the community. A nearby spring, known as Tanner’s Spring, provided a water source. By the mid-1850s, Seneca Village comprised 50 homes and three churches, as well as burial grounds, and a school for African-American students. Even though slavery was abolished years prior, the African American community were continually discriminated against and often times their lives were threatened. Seneca Village gave them a real sense of community and safe place to be. 

All that changed on July 21, 1853. Through eminent domain, New York City took control of the land to create what would become the first major landscaped park in the US, Central Park. The city set aside 775 acres of land in Manhattan—from 59th to 106th Streets, between Fifth and Eighth Avenues. This was a common practice in the 19th century, and all of the residents were displaced throughout the area. Although landowners were compensated, many argued that their land was undervalued. Ultimately, all residents had to leave by the end of 1857. Their currently is no definitive research about where they were relocated. It is believed that some may have gone to other African-American communities in the region, such as Sandy Ground in Staten Island and Skunk Hollow in New Jersey.

The Central Park Conservancy tells the story of the history of Seneca Village on their website and now along the west side of the park between 82nd and 88th Streets, there are informative signs that describe the people, places and events that took place here during this time period. Remnants of a few structures that were built then remain, along with Summit Rock, the highest natural elevation in the park, standing as a symbol of the past helping preserve a once thriving, diverse community.

It is not uncommon for an ever changing landscape to occur throughout the city. Things come and go all the the time. However if we do not share the history we will never know the truth and be influenced by the amazing people and things they accomplished during this time. We feel we can learn a lot from the people of Seneca Village. There is a very informative New York Times article, The Death Black Utopia, by Brent Staples that we encourage you to read. It describes in more detail the formation of Seneca Village, how the people who lived there created a thriving community and how it unfairly came to an end. 

The next time you are running down West Drive in the 80’s stop and check out all of the information or explore with us on our Lower Central Park Tour to learn more about Seneca Village.