F129
B7
E27
1873A (LC)

YALE UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY

THE EAST PARKWAY

BOULEVARDS,

IN THE CITY OF BEOOEXYN.

SEW TOEX:
BAKER & GODWIN, PRINTERS,
No. 25 Pass Row.
1873.

THE EAST PARKWAY

BOULEVARDS

The East Parkway, with the President street
and Douglass street Boulevards, as well as the region
adjoining and contiguous, is one of the most beautiful,
and is destined to become one of the most celebrated,
in the world. After perusing the brief description set
forth in these pages, and considering the few sugges
tions therein presented, if the reader shall devote a
portion of some day to making a tour of the locality
indicated, the result will most amply reward the effort
involved. THE PARKWAY BOUNDARIES.
The Parkway district embraces all that portion of
the city of Brooklyn situated eastwardly of Prospect
Park, and between the township boundaries of Flat-
bush and New Lots, and the limits of Fulton street
and Flatbush avenue. Five of the most important
thoroughfares pass through it, and the same number
of the most direct main routes of double-track horse

railways, including the Fulton street, the Atlantic
street, the Flatbush avenue, the Nostrahd avenue, and
the Franklin avenue lines, furnish the best facilities
extant for passenger transit. Infinitely superior accom
modations, speed, and time, are yet to come in the
underground railway and rapid transit scheme, which
has been organized in corporate form and real vitality.
The undoubted guarantee of the success of this organ
ization may be found in the fact that the projectors,
stockholders, directors, officers, and friends of the com
pany, are among the most eminent and wealthy citizens
and extensive landowners, builders, and residents of
the territory affected. DISTANCE AND TIME.
The bulk of the land is but slightly more than two
miles from the South, "Wall street, and Fulton Ferrie3 ;
and the street railway trip time is about thirty min
utes ; but by the rapid transit and East River Bridge
route it will be within twenty minutes time of the
City Hall Park in New York
.:::- ADVANTAGES OE LOCATION.
The location of the district is upon the most ele
vated ground in the city of Brooklyn. The soil is of
gravel and sandy earth of the clearest consistency;
there is an utter absence of either marsh or swamp
lands^ and in all of the few sections that have been
graded, only the pure virgin soil has been used for
filling. The inclinations of the streets are very ad
mirably adapted to the necessary natural surface
drainace, as well as for subterranean sewerage, water
and gas conduits. The atmosphere is remarkably salu-

brious, the surroundings exceedingly superior, and the
entire array of considerations, whether sanitary, social,
or financial, can not be excelled — if, indeed, they can be
equalled by any similar galaxy of facts of any other
locality. CHARACTER AND VALUE.
The Parkway district possesses many and varied
charms that can not be detracted from by any accidents
of the times. Very prominent in this regard is the
fact that it had a character established before the
public improvements had been commenced. A large
number of the best known and most desirable, citi
zens of Brooklyn, including prominent business men
or retired merchants and capitalists, nearly all of them
of large means, had invested extensively in lands, laid
out streets and avenues on a scale of extraordinary
grandeur, and erected themselves magnificent resi
dences. Of these may be mentioned New York, Kings
ton, Nostrand, and Brooklyn avenues, Pacific, Baltic,
and Dean streets, and St. Mark's place ; all of which,
especially the latter, are lined with costly, substantial,
and grand family mansions, environed with lawns, gar
dens, parterres, terraces, flower beds, and shade trees of
the most beautiful variety. The public roadways are.
well paved; the sidewalks are well flagged, sodded, and
planted with trees, thrifty and umbrageous in their
season ; and everything is maintained in the most com
plete and ample order; thus rendering the vicinity a
marvel of enchantment to all who view its many attrac
tions. All this is a sample of what the Parkway and
the Boulevards, in close proximity, are soon to be. In
reality, the Parkway is an arm or extension of the Park
itself.

. THE PARKWAY ATTRACTIONS.
The pre-eminent attraction of this entire Parkway
region, is, unquestionably in its immediate contiguity
to Prospect Park, — the loveliest and most luxuriant
place of artifical beauty possessed by any city in our land,
and is yet to be one of the principal excelling places of
the sort, in all the world. It is of easy access, of a
few minutes walk, a fewer moments ride by public or
private vehicle, from the remotest streets of the section.
Any attempt to picture by pen or in type, the numerous
beauties of the Park would be but effete mockeries of
what the visitors' eyes and mind would comprehend
and enjoy. The task will not be undertaken in these
pages. It may not be amiss however to briefly mention
that the view now embraces a diversity and scope
of ocean, bay, river, lake, brooklet, hill, dale, woodland,
lawn, meadow and plain, far in advance of any other
Park in this continent. The most elevated point at the
summit at "Lookout Hill," has a height of 185 feet
above mean high water. The drives, walks, groves,
lawns, water-courses, children's play-grounds, deer-
paddocks, plazas, bridges, walls and masonry are of the
most superior kind. THE EAST PARKWAY.
, - The East- Parkway commences at the grand plaza,
(which i3 the main entrance to the Park), on Flatbush
avenue, and hugging the easterly side of the great dis
tributing reservoir of the Ridgewood water-works, ex. "
tends in an almost direct line to the city limit, near the
". Hunterfly road," a total distance of about two miles.
The original and present plan involves its continuance
(at some not far distant time), to join the upper East

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President Street, Boulevard.

Line of Houses.

8
River Bridge, at Astoria or Ravenswood, and thus af
ford a direct drive between the Central Park in New
York, and the Prospect Park in Brooklyn. . Provision
is also made for other boulevard branches, at certain
intervals, leading to the more remote country towns on
Long Island, and to the seaside at Coney Island, Can-
arsie, Rockaway, and Jamaica.
This Parkway is really an enlargement of Sackett
street from its former dimensions, — of seventy feet, — to
a imiform width of two hundred and ten feet, with
court-yards between the street front lines and the build
ing foundations, of thirty feet on each side. Thus a
grand total space of two hundred and seventy feet !
is preserved from building front, to building front,
across the street. [The specific distances, etc., are
enumerated in the legislative special acts, contained in
another portion of this pamphlet.]
THE CHARMS OF THE PARKWAY.
The Parkway will consist of three separate and
distinct roads, and four walks, all luxuriantly shaded
by choice trees, of the American elm, the sugar maple,
the Norway maple, the European linden, and the tulip,
to be planted in rows at intervals of twenty feet along
the curbs. By law the courtyards can only be used to
display shrubbery, flowers, fountains, or statues. The
central roadway will be gravelled and rolled, as is the
case in the Park. It is to be fifty-five feet wide, and
devoted exclusively to pleasure driving. On each side
will be a walk twenty feet wide, which will be curbed,
sodded, and flagged, and along which are to be double
rows of shade trees of the varieties before named. On
either side of this central roadway are narrower roads,

twenty-five feet in width, respectively, and laid with
the Belgian pavement : they will be used by all business
or other vehicles approaching the private mani-ioas.
The sidewalks are twelve and one-half feet wide, curbed,
flagged, turfed, and planted with single rows of trees,
similar to the others. FIVE YEARS PROGRESS.
It is estimated that about five years growth to the
trees will attain a growth of thirty-five feet upward,
and a branching forth of twenty feet in extent. It is
therefore not unreasonable to calculate that within
seven or ten years hence, in the summer season, the
eastern Parkway and Boulevards will be over-arched
by a canopy of dense luxuriant foliage, and therefore
will be a bower of beauty and delicious refuge from
the blazing rays of the midsummer sun. Thousands,
and tens of thousands of the people ; — men, women,
and children will seek this leafy tunnel, with its fresh
cool breezes, and kaleidoscopic display of dress, character
and fashion. In many respects it will excel the Park
in attractiveness. There will be an avenue, drives, and
promenade, unequalled on this continent, -and scarcely
excelled in the wide world. The mansions will present
a variety in architectural taste design, and beauty;
while the grounds, conservatories, — and especially the
courtyards will present a diversity in display of foun
tains, statues, ornaments, flowers, shrubs, etc., not only
brilliant and charming, but wonderful and rare.
THE GRAND BOULEVARDS.
The Douglass street and the President street
Boulevards are situated on either side of the Park-
2

10
way. Stable streets, each thirty-five feet wide, inter
vene. The Boulevards are one hundred feet' in width,
while the sidewalks are twenty feet in width. The
roadway is paved with the Belgian stone, and the side
walks are flagged; on either side of the latter are
single rows of trees. The other peculiarities and ad-
Vcintages of the Parkway prevail, viz. : the courtyards
are, by legislative act, to be thirty feet from street line
to house front, making a total space from house to
house across the street of one hundred and sixty feet.
These magnificent Boulevards will be scarcely less
desirable, for the location of houses and homes, than
the Parkway itself. They will have all the density
and luxuriance of foliage, all the elegance of courtyard
and lawn display (and the lots on one side will enjoy
the same stable street privileges) of the grand " Way "
itself. PROTECTION AGAINST NUISANCE.
It is a fact, as some of those who read this may have
sadly experienced, that some of the best of people,
who have exercised the utmost care in the selection of
residences, find themselves either hemmed in, environed,
or affected disastrously with nuisances, which are im
movable, and ruinous to their comfort and welfare of
property. The supreme law of the State protects this whole
district from the possibility of any nuisance. Even the
mere semblance to an offense can be crushed and anni
hilated, as may be seen in the acts of the Legislature,
contained in another part of this pamphlet.

e

11

THE EFFECT ON PROPERTY.
The effect of what has already been done by the
improvements has been to more 'than quadruple the
value of a certain portion of this land, and w,: ha\-
thus an expression, of. the most simple character, in
regard to the commercial estimate which, at this
period in the history of towns, is placed upon the
circumstance of convenient access from a residence to a
public pleasure ground, and upon the sanitary and
social advantages of a habitation thus situated. The
advance in value, in this case, is quite marked at a
distance of a mile, and this local advantage has certainly
not been attended by any falling back in the value of
other land in Brooklyn.
If we analyze the conditions of this change in value,
we shall find that it is not altogether, or even in any
" large degree, dependent upon mere vicinity to the
sylvan and rural attractions of the Park, but in very
large part, in the first place, upon the degree in which
these attractions can be approached with security from
the common annoyances of the streets, and with
pleasure in the approach itself. If, for instance, the
greater part of the Park were long and narrow in form,
other things being equal, the demand for building sites,
fronting on this portion of it, would not, probably, be
appreciably less than for those fronting on the broader
parts. Secondly, the advance in value will be found
to be largely dependant on the advantages of having
near a residence, a place where, without reference to the
sylvan attractions found in a large park, driving, riding,
and walking can be conveniently pursued in association
with pleasant people, and without the liability of en
countering the unpleasant sights and sounds which

12
must generally accompany those who seek rest, recrea
tion, or pleasure in- the common streets.
There are other things to be valued in a Park be
sides these, but these are the main. positive advantages
which would make the value of a residence, if upon
the Parkway, much greater than if at a distance from it.
AT HOME AND ABROAD.
Of course, those who have travelled abroad will
make comparisons as to the magnitude and grandeur of
the Eastern Parkway and Boulevard.
We come, then, to the question of the means by
which such a comparison can be made. Although
no perfect example can be referred to, there have
been in Europe a few works by which a similar end, to
a certain extent has been reached. Of these, the most
notable is the Avenue of the Empress, in Paris, which
connects a palace and a pleasure-ground within the town,
with a large park situated far out in the suburbs. This
avenue, with its planted border, occupies so much
ground (it is 429 feet in width) that it may be con
sidered to constitute rather an intermediate pleasure-
ground than a part of the general street system. It is
lined with a series of detached villa residences, and
building lots facing upon it are much more valuable
than those facing upon the Park.
The celebrated Linden avenue, at Berlin, leads like
wise from a palace and palace grounds, to a great rural
park on the opposite side, of the town, through the
very midst of which it passes. The finest private resi
dences and hotels of the town, as well as many public
buildings, such as art galleries and museums, front.
upon it, and it is equally convenient for all the ordi-

13
nary purposes of a street with any oth^r. It neverthe
less differs essentially from an ordinary bushier street
in that the process which we have described, by \^-hicli
wagon-ways were introduced into the old streets, has
been earned one step further, the wagon- way hunng
itself been divided as the foot- way formerly was, and a
space of ground having been introduced, within which
there is a shaded walk or mall, and a bridle-road, -with
strips of turf and trees. The Champs des Elysees, Paris,
may also be quoted as a sample in point.
NATURAL INCENTIVES.
To this region will be drawn by all the irresistible
force of early associations, the self-made men of the
land ; men who have come from " pastures green " in
the rural districts, and from nothing made their for
tunes in the great metropolis.
Such a neighborhood would not merely be more
attractive, to the prosperous class generally of the
metropolis, than any which can be elsewhere formed
within a much greater distance from the commercial
centre, but that it will especially meet the requirements
of an element in the community that is constantly
growing larger, and that is influenced by associations
and natural tastes that unquestionably deserve to be
fostered and encouraged. A typical case, for the sake
of illustrating the class in view, may be thus presented.
A country boy receives a common school education,
exhibits ability, and at a comparatively early age finds
himself engaged in- business in a provincial town ; as
his experience and capacity increase, he seeks enlarged
opportunities for the exercise of his powers, and being
of superior calibre, ultimately finds himself drawn by

14
an irresistible magnetic force to the commercial cities ;
here he succeeds in becoming wealthy by close atten
tion to his specialty, and the sharp country boy be
comes the keen city man. Trees and grass are, how
ever, wrought into the very texture and fibre of his
constitution, and, without being aware of it, he feels
day by day that his life needs a suggestion of the old
country flavor to make it palatable as well as profit
able. This is one aspect of the natural phenomena
with which we are now attempting to deal; no broad
question of country life in comparison with city life is
involved; it is confessedly a question of delicate ad
justment, but we feel confident that whenever and
wherever, in the vicinity of New York, this delicate
adjustment is best attended to, and the real needs of
of these city-bred country boys are most judiciously
considered, there they will certainly throng. We do
not, of course, mean to argue that the tastes to which
we have referred are limited solely to citizens whose
early life has been passed in the country, but only that
the existence of the special social element thus typified
gives one of the many assurances that such a scheme as
the Parkway neighborhood would be successful,. if ju
diciously carried out within the lines suggested, before
the demand is more or less perfectly met in some other
locality. RAPID TRANSIT.
It is needless here to show what Brooklyn and Long
Island have lost in population and wealth for the want
of rapid transit from the great ferries through the city
and suburbs, as well as beyond, to the country districts
of the island. Every intelligent person must realizes
that the aggregate of such losses, is immense.

It is as obvious also, that ample amends are beino-
made by the recently organized, "Brooklyn tit earn
Transit Company? incorporated under the liberal Act
of the Legislature, passed June 1, 1871. The first
arrangements for surveys aud estimates were concludes]
early in May, 1873. The cost of construction is esti
mated from $3,000,000 to $4,000,000. The first piece
of road to be built will begin at or near the Fulton
ferry, connecting with the great bridge at Sands street,
following Adams or Washington streets, with a depot
or station near the Court-house, and irom thence, by
the best route, to the junction of Flatbush and Atlantic
avenues, to the Flatbush city line, with stations wherever
desirable, and from the city line to East New York.
It is certain that the enterprise is not only going forward
directly to consummation, but that it is practicable at
less than half the cost per mile of any underground
railway of equal importance yet projected in this country,
while it is known that for some half miles of the London
road, where private property was taken, more money
was expended than the probable outlay of this line
from Fulton ferry to East New York.
It is assumed that the road will be for the most part
underground from Fulton ferry to the city line. The
distance is three and one-half miles. The construction
will be in general by streets so wide that there will be
comparatively slight disturbance of previous construc
tions, and it is known that no rock excavations are to
be encountered. Recent improvements demonstrate
that the excavation of streets can be accomplished in
such manner that there will be no interference with
any ground except that actually occupied by the width
of the tunnel.
The salient features of the proposed work are its

16
.obvious feasibility and its vital relations to the future
growth of Brooklyn. We dismiss the first point with
the simple remark, that it is perfectly apparent to the
observation of any who will take the trouble to walk
over the route, that the question of construction in
volves no more serious problems than the removal of a
certain number of square yards of earth and the build
ing of the required masonry.
BRILLIANT PROMISE OF THE FUTURE.
As to its important immediate or ultimate relations
to the future of the city of Brooklyn and subtu'bs,
whether we consider these with reference to the present
convenience of the 26,143,500 passengers transported
by the Brooklyn City Railroad alone in 1870, or the
3,000,000 yearly visitors by rail to Coney Island, or the
25,000 daily visitors to Prospect Park, or to the fact
that with the present ratio of increase the travel on all
these lines will double in about eight years, or whether
we add to these considerations reasonable estimates for
the very great accelerated growth of business always
realized in populous cities and districts with increased
facilities for rapid transit, we shall reach results both
remarkable and surprising. Couple with these the
conspicuous power which the great bridge will bring to
all Brooklyn interests, and we have startling estimates
of future growth.
If we look a little further on to the day sure to
come, when the Hudson river and New York Central,
Harlem, and New Haven Railways, traversing a bridge
which can be easily built at or near Randall's Island,
will find more convenient and cheaper terminal facilities
and store-houses in Brooklyn than elsewhere for their

immense freights of cereals and . manufactured goods,
and add this more remote but inmeasurable influence to
the rest,. we shall find the motive to the enterprise most
irresistible. The growth of population along the Hudson river
the Harlem, and the New Haven Railroads in West
chester county, and along the lines of the New Jersey
steam roads, predict for the great and beautiful area
about Prospect Park a more rapid upbuilding than has
been realized anywhere in the vicinity of New York.
IRRESISTIBLE CONCLUSIONS OF FACT.
The real terminus of the. New York Central and
Hudson River Roads for passengers and mails will be
at the post-office, City Hall Park, in two or three years.
At or about that time, with the completion of the great
East River Bridge, and the Brooklyn rapid transit rail
road, the territory in the vicinity of the Prospect Park
will be within twenty minutes' time of the New York
City Hall, and of far more easy, direct, and expeditious
access than any other place of residence within a radius
of twenty miles of New York. Prospect Park then will
be as accessible from the lower portion of the city of
New York as the Central Park, and the journey to the
former will in all respects be far preferable.
These facts demonstrate that the "East Parkway
and Boulevards," with all the region adjoining, are to
have a rapid and steadily increasing advance in popula
tion, enterprise, and wealth. It requires no extreme
fbresio-ht to realize that the district indicated will have
a population of about half a million of people.
Perhaps the best evidence as to the present and pro
spective value of the lands in the "East Parkway and
3

is-
Boulevards" region is the simple fact that the majority
of the largest owners are among the most eminent, liberal,
and wealthy of the business men and residents of New
1 ork and Brooklyn, and that most " of them reserve
choice sections whereon to build and dwell perma
nently. A TRIP TO THE PARKWAY.
A trip to the "East Parkway and Boulevards"
region is worthy of the brief time required. In no
other way can the reader obtain such a complete and
satisfactory knowledge of the subject. Three hours'
time will afford an ample opportunity for viewing the
whole ground. From the Fulton Ferry house, in Brook
lyn, the Fulton street, Atlantic street, and Flatbush
avenue cars respectively start at intervals of a few mo
ments daily. The two former connect with the cross-
town routes — the Franklin avenue and the Nostrand
avenue cars — both of which can be taken successively,
and afterwards the Flatbush avenue cars to the Park.
This will reveal the entire scope of territory to the vis
itor, who can then " best judge for himself."
OPINIONS OF THE PRESS.
The Eastern Parkway and Boulevards have attracted
the earnest attention of the press, from the inception of
the scheme. Not only the local newspapers, which
naturally should be, and always are, promptly interested
in all proper local improvements, — but the great New
York dailies, and other prominent journals in various
places in the country, have expressed the most exalted
opinion of them. The " Brooklyn Daily JEaglef 'one
of the largest, ablest, and, perhaps with one exception,

in

19
the most extensively circulated evening newspapei
the United States, says, in its issue of March 30, 1870,
in the course of a long and elaborate descriptive article •
" These lines of Boulevards will in time afford the finest
drives for the equipages that Prospect Park will attract,
and will go far towards making the suburbs of Brooklyn
the most attractive resort in the country. With the
completion of these attractions, no city in the world can
compare in driving facilities with Brooklyn. Wealthy
residents pay a large share of the taxes, and the more
they pay, the less will be taken from those who live by
daily labor. By these driving facilities, wealthy per
sons will be attracted to Brooklyn, and there is room
enough for the class that toil, and for those who neither
' labor nor spin.' Those persons who are disposed to
think that the park, situated westwardly of Flatbush
avenue, will not be large enough for the requirements
of Brooklyn in the future should bear in mind that this
Parkway and Boulevards will rival the park itself in
attractiveness."
[From the "Brooklyn Daily Union,'' March 30, 1870.]
The Eastern Parkway (an enlargement of Saekett street), from
the east side of Prospect Park, runs along the main and high ridge
of around . or the table land which forms the backbone of the i ,Iand;
and from it, or the cupolas of the mansions that will be built there,
can. be seen the view of the slope toward the ocean on the east, and
the cities of Brooklyn and New York and vicinity on the west.
There is probably no more salubrious site in the United States, it
havino- ths advantage of sea breeze, drainage, and also a good press
ure of water from the reservoir adjacent. The proposition is to
extend this widening of Saekett street from the park to the city
limit being a distance of two miles and a half, so that drives will be
taken from the park through the Boulevard as a part of the park
pleasures.

20

[From, the "New York World;' April 9, 1S/0.]
•-  , The Eastern Parkway when completed, will be the
finest street in the world. This is probably the grandest attempt ever
made by force of law to make a district of a city fashionable and ex
clusive. The act forbids any property owner erecting anything but
a mansion on the Boulevards, or anything but stables and outbuild
ings on the back streets. It is a bold and enterprising attempt on
the part of the property owners in the high lands of the Ward to
make that location prominently eligible for the residence of the
wealthy and the fastidious. Unlike most of the recent schemes for
local improvement, this one asks no aid from the city treasury, but
proposes to levy all the cost of the improvement upon the prop
erty benefitted along the line of the proposed grand drive from the
Park to the city line. It is reported that already some of our most
eminent representative, professional, business men, capitalists, and
financiers have purchased choice lands for their permanent personal
residence. This is an important augury of the future character and
value of the real estate in that vicinity.

[From the "New York Herald" Jan. 24, 1870.]
In the course of an elaborate descriptive article, the Herald
said : ADVANTAGES TO BROOKLYN.
Having fully described, in its principal aspects, the question of
the desirability of developing in Brooklyn a plan of public improve
ment of the general character indicated, the Superintendents inquire
whether the broad streets which are proposed to be opened on New
York island under the name of Boulevards during the next few
years are calculated to interfere with the probable success of such a
scheme. In arriving at a negative answer they quote from, a report
of the Park Commission regarding the limitations that are rec
ognized in New York controlling the designs of the commission
ers, and add that it is clear that there is no intention of carry
ing out any such scheme, as the parkway in New York. Although
the plots of ground appropriated to the Brooklyn and Central Park
are entirely different in shape, while their landscape opportunities
and general possibilities of design are equally dissimilar, a generic
family resemblance will yet be found between the two pleasure

grounds, simply because they are both called into existence to m-et
the same class of wants, in the same cla^ ol people, at the simo w\t
ropolitan centre. The Brooklyn Parkway, on the other Jumd, will
if executed, be a practical development, particuhaly applicable to
the city of Brooklyn, and which are considered by those in .•lufhoriry
to be unsuitable for development in the city of New York ; it v,i!l
consequently have no such family resemblance <r> the Nc,v York
Boulevards as exists between the two parks and its attractions will.
for a time at any rate, be of a special and somewhat individual char
acter.

[From the "New Yuri: Tim's," U>i. 21, ]S/2.]
A NOVEL IMPROVEMENT L\ BROOKLYN.
We believe that to Mr. Frederick Law Olmstead, is to be cred
ited the first successful application, in part, at least, of the idea that
the growth of American cities can be judiciously guided ; and that
we need not necessarily sit patiently by, and see the most beautiful
portion of them overrun by various occupants whom it is very diffi
cult and very expensive to dislodge. Mr. Olmstead, has freqaently
had occasion to point out that in Brooklyn a .special opportunity
was offered, by early improvements, to determine beforehand that
certain very beautiful quarters of the city should be taken up by
first class residences, and be owned and occupied by men whose
dwellings and grounds would be continually made more and more
attractive. Luckily, this argument was addressed on the one hand
to a class of property owners, intelligent and enterprising enough to
see that their own interest lay in carrying out Mr. Olmstead's idea,
and on the other to the Brooklyn Park Commissioners, a body of
gentlemen of great foresight and energy. The result is that a
definite and well considered plan is now being put in execution with
the intent we have referred to.
The entrance, to Prospect Park, in Brooklyn, lies at the junction
of Union street and Flatbush avenue, at the summit of a broad
ridfe which, east and north of that point, spreads into a more or
less irregular upland for a number of miles. The city line of
Brooklyn crosses this ridge some four miles east from the entrance
to the Park. By an Act passed in 1868, five streets running along
this broad ridge from the Park to the city line, were directed to be
laid out in the following manner; the central one of the five, Saekett

22
street, was widened to 210 feet; the outside streets, President and
Douglass, were widened to 100 feet each ; the intervening streets,
Degraw and Union, were narrowed to 35 feet each. On the streets
which were widened, the buildings were required, when erected, to
stand at least 30 feet from the street, and on the narrow streets no
building is to be allowed, to be used for anything but a stable,
carriage-house, conservatory, or green-house. The effect of these
restrictions is evident. The lots will be sold, running through from
the wide streets to the narrow ones, and will be improved according
to their size and location. As a further inducement to this, all
business "dangerous, noxious, or offensive to the neighboring in
habitants," are prohibited by law, '• on any land affected by said
widenings." The region included between these streets is very finely situated.
It lies high above the rest of the city, can be readily and perfectly
drained, can also be supplied with a good head of public water, and
commands, at almost every point, extended views. It only remained
to determine the attractiveness of the streets themselves. Tliis has
been done by the plan adopted for them. Through the centre of
the main street, which is called the " Eastern Parkway," runs a mac
adamized road. On either side of this is to be aliberal space plant
ed with trees. Beyond these again come pavements of Belgian
block, and then wide walks,, with trees at the inner and outer edges.
The side streets are to be paved with stone, (block,) with broad
walks, fringed with trees on each side.
The work is now going on. Its progress cannot be seen from
the Park entrance, though an excavation going on at the left of the
entrance marks the terminus of the Parkway at that point. But,
from East New York avenue both ways, rapid progress is being made,
steam machinery of a very ingenious and effective sort being em
ployed. Any of our Brooklyn readers can reach this point from
Atlantic avenue, and a visit will amply repay them. This is one of
a series of public works, which have been carried forward in Brook
lyn under great difficulties, and at heavy expense, but which are
already having a marked influence on the growth and prosperity of
the eity. When a steam underground railway is added, as we
believe it will be ultimately, the extension of the population of the
city, until it equals that of New York at present, is only a question
of time, and of no very long time at that.

23
A GRAND CROSS-TOWN DIMVE.
BROOKCTK AVKNUE.
One of the most delightful cross-town drives is
through Broi >klyn avenue, which intersects the Parkway
and Boulevards. It is one hundred feet /vide, and ex
tends from the Flatbush entrance to the Park, through
Brooklyn and Malbone avenues, (both 100 feet wide,)
to Fulton street. Nothing can exceed the grandeur of
this thoroughfare, which is the site of elegant family
residences.

THE LAW

The following Act of the Legislature in reference to
the " Eastern Parkway and Boulevards " will be found
of interest :
An Act to open and widen Portions of Sackett, Douglass,
AND PRESIDENT STREETS, AND OTHERWISE TO ALTER THE Com
missioners' Hap op the City op Brooklyn. Passed
May 6, 1868.
The People of the State of New York, represented, in Senate
and Assembly, do enact as follows :
Section 1. Sackett street, in the city of Brooklyn, is here
by widened from Washington avenue easterly to the southerly
limit or boundary line of the said city, to the width of two
hundred and ten feet, and shall be opened to that width by
adding seventy feet in width to each side of the said street, as
now laid down on the Commissioners' map of the said city ;
and President street and Douglass street are hereby also widened
from ISTew York avenue easterly to the said city line, to the
width of one hundred feet ; and shall be opened to that width
by adding fifteen feet in width to each side of the said several
.streets, as now laid down on that map.
§ 2. So much of Degraw street as lies easterly from ISTew
York avenue, and extends to the said city limits, is hereby
narrowed to the width of thirty-five feet, by taking away thirty-
five feet in width on the southerly side thereof ; and so much

of Union street as lies easterly irom the said avenue, and ex
tends to said city limits, is hereby also narrowed to the width
of thirty-five feet, by taking away thirty-Jive feet in width from
the northerly side thereof,- which said southerly side of Do^w
street, and northerly side of Union street, are hereby abandoned
for street purposes, and shall be stricken from tho s:.hl city
map. " *'
§ 3. Xo buildings or other erections, except porches
piazzas, fences, fountains, and statuary, sliall remain or be at
any time placed upon any of the lots fronting upon either of
the said streets so to be widened, within thirty feet from tho
line or sides of the said several streets respectively. The inter
vening spaces of land on each side of the said several streets
shall be used for courtyards only, and may be planted with
trees and shrubbery, and otherwise ornamented, at the discre
tion of the respective owners or occupants thereof. And no
building now standing, or that may be hereafter erected, on
any lot fronting or to front on either Union or Degraw streets
so narrowed, shall ever be used for any purpose other than a
stable, carriage-house, conservatory for plants, or green-house ;
hut no livery or railway stable, or car house, shall at any time
be erected or maintained upon any of the said lots. And at
no time shall there be erected, established, or carried on, in
any manner whatever, upon any land to be affected by the
said widenings, or either of them, any slaughter house, tallow
chandlery, furnace, foundry, nail or other factory, or any
manufactory for making starch, glue, varnish, vitriol, oil, or
gas, or for tanning, dressing, repairing, or keeping- skins, hides,
or leather, or any distillery, brewery, or sugar- bakery, lime
kiln, railway or other stable, or depot, or any other manufac
tory, trade, business, or calling, which may be in any wise
dangerous, noxious, or offensive, to the neighboring inhab
itants. 8 4. The Commissioners of Prospect Park aue hereby
directed to take proceedings, within sixty days after the pass
age of this act, to open, grade, and otherwise improve the said
4

26
several streets described in the first and second sections of this
act. And for the purpose of determining the amount to be
paid to the owners of the lands and tenements required to be
taken for the purposes of the several changes and improve
ments contemplated by this act, the said Park Commissioners
shall cause application to be made to the Supreme Court in the
Second Judicial District, at a special term thereof, upon a
notice to be personally served upon the counsel of the said
city, and to be also published ten days successively in the cor
poration newspapers, for the appointment of three commis
sioners' to estimate the expense of such widenings and openings,
and the amount of damages to be sustained by the owners of
land, and all other persons to be affected thereby, and to appor
tion and assess the same as hereinafter directed, and the conrt
shall thereupon proceed to make such appointment.
§ 5. Before any assessment for such widening or opening
is made, the Commissioners of Prospect Park shall, by resolu
tion, fix a district of assessment, beyond which -the assessment
therefor shall not extend.
§ 6. The commissioners so to be appointed by the court
shall, after having been duly sworn, proceed to estimate such
expenses and damages ; and in making the estimate, they shall
include the damages, if any, to be sustained by any person or
persons for being so obliged to build back from the line or sides
of any of the said several streets, or for being restricted in the
use of the lots fronting on said streets, as specified in the third
section of this act ; and after their report thereon shall have
been confirmed by the said court, they shall apportion and
assess the amount thereof, in such manner as they shall deem
just and equitable, upon the lauds and premises in their judg
ment benefitted by the improvement, within the district of as
sessment so to be limited, by the said Park Commissioners.
§ 1. All laws now in force relative to widening, opening,
and improving streets and ^avenues in the city of Brooklyn,
subsequent to the appointment of Commissioners of Estimate,

and the proceedings thereon, and the duties of the several per
sons to be employed therein, substituting the Commissioners
of Prospect Park in the place of the Common Council, and
also in the place of the Street Commissioner of said city, and.
substituting the said Cominis-toiiers of Intimate and Assess
ment, in place of the Board of Assessors of said city, «... far as
relates to the opening of streets and avenues, including also
payment for the work, and the levy mid collection of the assess
ments for such improvements, and the lien thereof, so far as
they are not inconsistent with the provisions of this act, shall
apply to and regulate all proceedings that may be had or
taken under this act. But such proceedings shall continue to
be under the direction of the Commissioners of Prospect Park,
who shall stand in the place of and act when required as the
Common Council of the city, 'or the Street Commissioner there
of, would be required to act iu the premises ; and they shall
employ an attorney and counsel, and all such clerks, surveyors,
and other agents as may be required for the purposes of this
act. § 8. The said Commissioners of Estimate and Assessment
shall be allowed to make use of any maps on file in any of the
public officers of the said city; and shall each receive five dollars
a day for every day actually spent in the discharge of his duty.
Which expenses and compensation, together with the room
hire, stationery, and other necessary expenses of the said com
missioners, as well as the expenses and compensation of all
other persons necessarily employed under the foregoing provis
ions of this act, shall be included in the general expenses to be
incurred herein.
§ 9. The streets specified in the first and second sections of
this act shall be laid out according to a plan to be devised or
adopted by the said Park Commissioners. The said streets
shall also be graded, paved, curbed, and guttered, in such man
ner as the said Park Commissioners shall direct, and may be
re-named and planted with suitable shade trees, or otherwise
improved, in their discretion ; and they may construct such

28

roads and walks through the said streets, or any of them, and
make use of such materials of construction or pavements as
they shall deem best. And Saekett street shall be graded,
within one year after the confirmation of the report of Commis
sioners of Estimate and Assessment.
§ 10. All expenses incident to the improvements specified
in the ninth section of this act, with the exception of so much
thereof as shall appertain to one hundred and ten feet in width
in the middle of Sackett street, after having been duly certified
by the said Park Commissioners to the Board of Assessors of
the city of Brooklyn, shall be by said board apportioned and
assessed as other local improvements are by law directed to be
apportioned and assessed in the said city. The residue of the
said expenses appertaining to the improvement of the said one
hundred and ten feet in width, through the middle of Sackett
street, shall also be apportioned and assessed upon the district of
assessment, to be fixed by the said Park Commissioners as directed
in the fifth and sixth sections of this act ; and the said assessments
shall constitute liens upon the several parcels of property to be
charged therewith, and shall be levied and collected in the
same manner as other local assessments are levied and collected
in the said city.
§ 11. After Sackett street shall have been opened, so much
thereof as lies eastward of Prospect Park shall be under the
exclusive control and management of the said Park Commis
sioners; and they shall make and enforce proper rules and
regulations for the use thereof, and after it shall have been im
proved as hereinbefore directed, its subsequent maintenance
shall be provided for in the same manner as the public parks
now under the charge of the said Park Commissioners are
provided for.
§ 12. This act shall take effect immediately.

YALE UNIVERSITY LIBRAR?

3 9002 01539 9604