DOCSLIB.ORG

James Bogardus Catskill Native and Father of the Skyscraper

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
James Bogardus Catskill Native and Father of the Skyscraper December 28, 2020 www.porcupinesoup.com Tracing Your Roots in Greene County By Sylvia Hasenkopf James Bogardus Catskill native and father of the skyscraper James Bogardus, inventor, watchmaker, and father of the skyscraper. Who would have thought that James was from Catskill, New York? He most certainly was. James was born March 14, 1800 in Catskill, one of six children of John Bogardus and his wife Sara Stockens. As John was a prosperous farmer and could afford to send his children to school, James was educated in the village school in Catskill, likely starting his education around the age of seven. James would have been only seven years old when the Clermont, the first commercial steamboat of the paddlewheel design, churned past Catskill on its inaugural run on August 17, 1807. The innovation and creativity in design likely left an indelible impression on him. Catskill, at the time, was a river port and sloops plied up and down the Hudson, bringing travelers, goods and the mail. The sloops were met by many interested villagers, as this was the prime means of learning the news from afar. It must have been an exciting time for a young boy, with all the activity along the wharves. At the age of fourteen, James took up an apprenticeship under Horace Willard, Catskill’s main jeweler, watch and clock maker, located on Main St. in the village. During his apprenticeship, James soon became skilled in watch work and working in gold and silver. He also learned how to make dyes, engraving in wood, steel and other metals. This skill would serve him well in years to come. When Willard decided to sell his business, James bought out the remaining time of his apprenticeship and set himself up in business in Catskill. James was still a young man, however, and blessed with an adventuring spirit and bounding curiosity, James decided to close up his shop and move to Savannah, GA in 1820. He stayed only a few years, and by the summer of 1823, he had reestablished his watchmaker’s shop in Catskill. But James loved to tinker. He was forever designing new inventions. In 1828 he invented a three wheeled mantle clock, which he patented. He also exhibited the clock at the newly-founded American Institute in New James Bogardus York City, where he won the “highest premium”, the highest recognition possible. The American Institute, founded in 1828, served as a meeting place for men with ideas – men who wanted to use technology to improve everyday life. It served as a means in which inventors could market their ideas to entrepreneurs and businessmen alike. In 1830, the American Institute hired James to create the steel dye of a newly designed medal for the organization. James had the opportunity to use his newly invented dye machine. By all accounts, the medal was exquisite. Over the next forty years James maintained his connection with the American Institute, winning many medals for his inventions. James’ close association with the American Institute allowed him to mingle with other inventors and he was energized and inspired to create even more inventions. However, he felt Catskill was just too far away from New York City, the center of new artistic and industrial innovations, so he closed his business in Catskill once again, and moved to New York City some time in 1829. He never looked back. On February 12, 1831, James married Margaret Maclay, daughter of Scottish born Archibald Maclay, a prominent Baptist pastor of New York City. Margaret was an acclaimed painter in oils as well as miniature portraits and her income was a welcome addition to the family finances during those early years of struggle for James and his inventions. The couple did not have any children that survived infancy and they eventually adopted Margaret’s niece, Harriet Hogg, and reared her as their own daughter. The 1830’s were marred by financial troubles for James, however he continued to produce an astounding number of inventions: devices for watch making (cutting wheels, cutting watch dials), engraving devices, a spinning machine and a mammoth clock, grinding mills, devices for pressing glass, devices for cutting or working with rubber, devices for making postage stamps, an eccentric mill, a mechanical pencil, a gas metering device…. the list goes on and on. Between 1830 and 1850 James was awarded thirteen United States Patents and one British Patent. Not all of James’ inventions were patented, however. In 1836 James sailed for England, in an effort to establish a British Patent for his gas metering device. He was unsuccessful. Expecting to stay only a very short while, James ended up staying in Europe for four years. And these were very formative years for the inventor, which would have a profound impact on American architecture in years to come. England, at the time, was experiencing an industrial boom and many structures were being built using iron. Bridges, aqueducts, railway facilities, shipping docks and columns were being constructed in cast iron. James found this quite fascinating. Before returning to America, James and Margaret decided to undertake a 63 Nassau Street,1857-59, by James Bogardus, Financial Continental tour. It was during their stay in Italy, that James was struck by the District, New York, image by Beyond My Ken via Wikimedia Commons. www.porcupinesoup.com historic Classical and Renaissance architecture with its “regularity and repetition”. In later years, James would say that it was then that he conceived the idea of using cast iron in the facades of buildings. Unlike Britain, iron was not commonly used in America for structural purposes in the first half of the nineteenth century. Iron was not in plentiful supply locally and had to be imported from abroad. It wasn’t until the 1840’s that domestic sources of iron were discovered. Devastating fires in many cities in the 1820’s and 30’s drove many builders and their clients to seek fireproof or fire-resistant building materials. And that is where James’ unique abilities and vision came into being. He wanted to emulate the architectural designs of antiquity in cast iron in New York City. In an effort to convince the public, investors and builders of his vision he published an article in a New York newspaper in May 1849, stating, “these buildings will sustain a greater weight and are put up with less inconvenience than brick buildings, being cast and fit so that each piece may be put up as fast as it is brought on the ground…. They admit more light, for the iron columns will sustain the weight that would require a wide brick wall in ordinary buildings. They combine beauty with strength, for the panels can be filled with figures to an extent.” Critics fueled the public’s prejudice, predicting that, “iron facades would attract lightening, expand and contract dangerously in sunlight and with temperature changes, melt in fire, or even collapse of their own weight.” But James believed in his idea and he persisted. James’ first commission was the Milhau Pharmacy building. Dr. John Milhau, a respected pharmacist in New York City, wanted to update and enlarge his small building Kitchen, Montross & Wilcox Store, 1861, by at 183 Broadway. He ordered an entire cast iron façade in 1848. This was James’ James Borgardus, Tribeca, New York, image by opportunity to prove that his invention of cast iron facades was safe and viable. Beyond My Ken via Wikimedia Commons. www.porcupinesoup.com The Milhau Pharmacy building grew in height from three to five stories and where each floor previously had 3 windows, James’ new construction allowed four. This was made possible by the strength of the slender supporting iron columns that were in place between the windows. Upon completion, the Milhau Pharmacy looked like no other building ever built before. James went on to build the Laing Stores facades and then his own cast iron factory on Duane St. The speed with which the buildings were constructed amazed many. James realized that he needed to patent his invention and on February 9, 1850 he submitted an application to the United States Patent Office. The application claimed that his invention of a building system was novel in five ways: the frame, the floor, the roof, the modular construction of the exterior walls and the use of open beams. Patent No. 7,337, entitled, “Construction of the Frame, Roof and Floor of Iron Buildings” was awarded to James Bogardus. It recognized three of the five novel ways claimed by James. In very short order, other cast iron manufacturers began to develop new methods and systems for building cast iron facades that circumvented James’ patent. By 1855 there were seven new patents by other inventors relating to iron front construction. Competitive exploitation had begun. James flung himself into the business of building iron clad buildings. He placed a plaque on his buildings that stated: James Bogardus, originator and constructor of Iron Buildings, New York. James built more than thirty iron clad structures in the 1850’s. Not only did he construct buildings and factories, he also constructed seven story fire towers for the City of New York and other towers for various industries. In 1862 he built his last iron clad building. By this time James was sixty-two and he spent the last decade of his life doing what he loved the most – inventing things! James Bogardus died at his home on 14th St. in New York City on April 13, 1874 and was buried in the idyllic Green- wood Cemetery in Brooklyn. His obituary in the Scientific American acclaims him as “an inventor celebrated both for the multiplicity and variety as well as the value of his productions…the record of his life is one of continuous labors repeatedly crowned with substantial success, of a versatile genius which devoted himself to the origination of Hopkins Store, 75 Murray Street, 1857-58 by James Bogardus, Tribeca, New York, image by Beyond My Ken via Wikimedia Commons.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Landmarks Preservation Commission May 15, 2007, Designation List 392 LP-2213
    Landmarks Preservation Commission May 15, 2007, Designation List 392 LP-2213 63 NASSAU STREET BUILDING, 63 Nassau Street, Manhattan. Built c. 1844; cast-iron facade c.1857- 59, attributed to James Bogardus. Landmark Site: Borough of Manhattan Tax Map Block 65, Lot 2. On November 14, 2006, the Landmarks Preservation Commission held a public hearing on the pro- posed designation as a Landmark of the 63 Nassau Street Building and the proposed designation of the related Landmark Site (Item No. 5). The hearing had been duly advertised in accordance with the provisions of law. Seven people spoke in favor of designation, including representatives of Margot Gayle, founder of the Friends of Cast Iron Architecture (who was present), the Municipal Art Society of New York, New York Landmarks Conservancy, Historic Districts Council, and Metropolitan Chapter of the Victorian Society in America. A rep- resentative of the building’s owner testified against designation. In addition, the Commission received several communications in support of designation, including a resolution from Manhattan Community Board 1. The building had been previously heard by the Commission on December 27, 1966, and January 31, 1967 (LP- 0600). Summary The 5-story, Italianate style cast-iron front facade on the building at No. 63 Nassau Street was almost certainly produced c. 1857-59 by James Bogardus, the pioneer of cast iron architecture in America, making it an extremely rare extant example of his work – it is one of only five known Bogardus buildings in the U.S. (four in New York City). It is also one of the oldest surviving cast-iron- fronted buildings in the city, and one of the very few located in Lower Manhattan, the oldest part of the city and its original financial center.
    [Show full text]
  • BOGARDUS BUILDING 75 Murray Street
    BOGARDUS BUILDING 75 Murray Street Lower, Main & 2nd Level New York NY 10007 GLOBAL BROKERS MARKETING YOUR PROPERTY WORLDWIDE NestSeekers.com 75 MURRAY STREET, COMMERCIAL SPACE WEB ID 573419 Harry Zikos of Nest Seekers International has been boasts 11 foot ceilings. There is also a small kitchen area RENT: Available Upon Request retained on an exclusive basis to represent 3 levels and large baths. The lower level also shares a generous of commercial space available for lease at the and open floorplan which allows a wealth of use cases 3 Levels| 5 Baths| 7125 Approx. Sq.Ft. landmarked Bogardus Building located at 75 Murray for numerous entity types. Total Space Available: 7125 Approx. Sq.Ft. Street in TriBeCa, nestled on the north side of the block The second level has 200 amps of electrical service and Lower Level: 2375 Approx. Sq.Ft. between West Broadway & Greenwich Street. The 25 enjoys elevator access, high ceilings, wide planked Main Level: 2375 Approx. Sq.Ft. foot wide cast-iron elevator building sits seconds from wood floors, exposed brick and renovated bathrooms. both Chambers Street 1,2,3, A & C train stations, in the The signature of historic TriBeCa is illustrated by the Second Level: 2375 Approx. Sq.Ft. C6-2A district, which is a commercial district outside openness of the space with southern exposure on from the Central Business District. The building was built and the original landmarked cast iron façade windows. • Basement • Hardwood Floors designed by world renowned, James Bogardus in 1857 • Elevator • High Ceiling for the glassware manufacturing business of Francis & The neighborhood offers tremendous potential to • Exposed Brick • Multi-level John Hopkins.
    [Show full text]
  • Cast Iron Architecture in Soho & Tribeca
    PREVIEWCOPY Introduction New York City’s TriBeCa and SoHo neighborhoods in downtown Manhattan are home to the largest concentration of cast iron facades in the world. Built in a short window of time from 1850-90 to support a thriving dry goods industry, these architectural gems offer an unrivaled perspective into early industrial New York, a time before skyscrapers, luxury retail and Starbucks Coffee shops on every corner. They are yours to discover. What’s in this guidebook • History. We discuss the origins of the SoHo and TriBeCa neighborhoods in the 19th century and why dry goods merchants chose to base their businesses in this part of the city. • Cast iron technology. We explore why cast iron was the ideal choice for the facades of mer- chants’ “store and loft” buildings. • Architectural styles. We profile the five prevailing styles of facades and their defining char- acteristics: Roman, Venetian, Sperm Candle, Second Empire and Neo-Grec. To make things come alive, we offer high-resolution images that reveal salient architectural and decorative features with color highlights. • Walking tour of the highlights. Following our tradition of being the most valuable re- source for culture-focused travelers, we offer a walking tour that showcases thirteen of the most impressive facades in SoHo and TriBeCa. For each, we reveal its most important archi- tectural features and offer a discussion that ties it all together. • Advice for getting thePREVIEW best cultural experience. To help you plan your visit, this guide- book supplies logistical advice, maps andCOPY links to online resources. Plus, we give our personal tips for getting the most from your experience while on location.
    [Show full text]
  • Soho Cast Iron Historic District Designation Report
    S OH 0 - CAST IRON HISTORIC DISTRICT DESIGWATIOI REPORT 1973 City of New York John V. Lindsay, Mayor Parks, Recreation and' Cultural Affairs Administration Richard M. Clurman,; Administrator Landmarks Preservation Commission Harmon H. Goldstone, Chairman SH-CI HD Copyright © 1973, by the City of New York. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be used, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means-, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of the copyright holder. Applications for such permission should be addressed to; i. Landmarks Preservation Commission * 305 Broadway ,-.... Mew York, New York 10007 ••..-,.•' » SOHO-CAST IRON HISTORIC DISTRICT MANHATTAN Note: Block numbers are for reference to the text. DESIGNATED AUGUST 14. 1973 SH-CI HD •C 0 N T E N T S BOUNDARIES AND. INTRODUCTION ' TESTIMONY AT PUBLIC HEARINGS 2 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .. • • 3 PART I 1. LAND USE! SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC HISTORY ...4 The Colonial. Period - Farms and Forts' 4 The Early Republic ,.. „• 5 1815-1850 -A Residential Neighborhood .............. (. 6 1850-1900- Entertainment, Commerce and Industry 6 Decay and Rebirth -Artists and Industry ;. 8 2. STYLISTIC HISTORY .... ,' : 9 . Early Non-Commercial Architecture ; 9 Early Commercial Architecture 9 Cast-iron Architecture ..... 12 Later Architecture I Developments ,..'. 14 3. CAST IRON AS A BUILDING MATERIAL 16 .Cast.Iron and Wrought Iron: Ear I y. Development and Use 16 Structural Techniques 17 Cast Iron Developments in the United States .......18 Cast Iron in New York City -. ..'..' 19 The Work of Daniel Badger and James Bogardus '.. 19 The Virtues and. Defects of Cast Iron 21 4.
    [Show full text]
  • Tribeca Was Originally Developed in the Early 19Th Century As a Residential Neighborhood Close to the City’S Center in Lower Manhattan
    A GUIDE TO HISTORIC NEW YORK CITY NEIGHBORHOODS T RIBECA ManhaTTan The Historic Districts Council is New York’s citywide advocate for historic buildings and neighborhoods. The Six to Celebrate program annually identifies six historic New York City neighborhoods that merit preservation as priorities for HDC’s advocacy and consultation over a yearlong period. The six, chosen from applications submitted by community organizations, are selected on the basis of the architectural and historic merit of the area, the level of threat to the neighborhood, the strength and willingness of the local advocates, and the potential for HDC’s preservation support to be meaningful. HDC works with these neighborhood partners to set and reach pres- ervation goals through strategic planning, advocacy, outreach, programs and publicity. The core belief of the Historic Districts Council is that preservation and enhancement of New York City’s historic resources—its neighborhoods, buildings, parks and public spaces—are central to the continued success of the city. The Historic Districts Council works to ensure the preservation of these resources and uphold the New York City Landmarks Law and to further the preservation ethic. This mission is accomplished through ongoing programs of assistance to more than 500 community and neighborhood groups and through public-policy initiatives, publications, educational outreach and sponsorship of community events. Six to Celebrate is generously supported by The New York Community Trust. Additional support for Six to Celebrate is provided by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature and by public funds from the New York City Depart- ment of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and New York City Councilmembers Margaret Chin, Inez Dickens, Daniel Garodnick, Vincent Gentile, Sara Gonzalez, Stephen Levin and Rosie Mendez.
    [Show full text]
  • The Washington Street Urban Renewal Project
    University of Pennsylvania ScholarlyCommons Theses (Historic Preservation) Graduate Program in Historic Preservation 2001 Moving Historic Structures: The aW shington Street Urban Renewal Project Diane Alyssa Jackier University of Pennsylvania Follow this and additional works at: http://repository.upenn.edu/hp_theses Part of the Historic Preservation and Conservation Commons Jackier, Diane Alyssa, "Moving Historic Structures: The ashinW gton Street Urban Renewal Project" (2001). Theses (Historic Preservation). 331. http://repository.upenn.edu/hp_theses/331 Copyright note: Penn School of Design permits distribution and display of this student work by University of Pennsylvania Libraries. Suggested Citation: Jackier, Diane Alyssa (2001). Moving Historic Structures: The Washington Street Urban Renewal Project. (Masters Thesis). University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. This paper is posted at ScholarlyCommons. http://repository.upenn.edu/hp_theses/331 For more information, please contact [email protected]. Moving Historic Structures: The aW shington Street Urban Renewal Project Disciplines Historic Preservation and Conservation Comments Copyright note: Penn School of Design permits distribution and display of this student work by University of Pennsylvania Libraries. Suggested Citation: Jackier, Diane Alyssa (2001). Moving Historic Structures: The Washington Street Urban Renewal Project. (Masters Thesis). University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. This thesis or dissertation is available at ScholarlyCommons: http://repository.upenn.edu/hp_theses/331 MOVING HISTORIC STRUCTURES: THE WASHINGTON STREET URBAN RENEWAL PROJECT Diane Alyssa Jackier A THESIS Historic Preservation Presented to tlie Faculties of the University of Pennsylvania in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE 2001 [\^ilyf L V- ^ Jrvisor (^ (y Reader \ David G. De Long, Ph.D. Eugenie L. Birch Professor of Architecture in Historic Preservation Professor and Chair of City and Regional Planning l/\yiAlMA9 Graduate [Group Chair Frank G.
    [Show full text]
  • INDIVIDUAL INTERVIEW the Reminiscences of Oliver Allen
    INDIVIDUAL INTERVIEW The Reminiscences of Oliver Allen © 2010 New York Preservation Archive Project PREFACE The following oral history is the result of a recorded interview with Oliver Allen conducted by Interviewer Peter Reda on March 30, 2010. This interview is part of the New York Preservation Archive’s Project’s collection of individual oral history interviews. The reader is asked to bear in mind that s/he is reading a verbatim transcript of the spoken word, rather than written prose. The views expressed in this oral history interview do not necessarily reflect the views of the New York Preservation Archive Project. In 1982, Oliver Allen and his wife moved into a loft in Tribeca. A retired writer for Life magazine and Time-Life Books, Allen quickly became a preservation activist, taking on a role as photographer for the Landmarks Commission’s survey of historic properties in the neighborhood. In the 1990s he co-founded the Friends of Duane Park and began writing articles on Tribeca history, which were collected into a book in 1999. In this 2010 oral history interview conducted by Pratt Institute graduate student Peter Reda, Allen discusses his involvement in the process of designating Tribeca’s historic districts and his observations on neighborhood history, the value of historic landmarks, and the impact that landmark designation has had on Tribeca Oliver Allen meticulously documented New York City and Tribeca history through careers as a writer and editor for LIFE magazine, as editor at Time-Life books, and as an independent author. His column for the Tribeca Tribune, “Old Tribeca,” was a neighborhood fixture, and his books from New York, New York to The Texture of Tribeca garnerned widespread critical acclaim.
    [Show full text]
  • James Bogardus Triangle, Borough of Manhattan
    November 17th, 2020 Name of Landmark Building Type of Presentation Month xx, year Public Hearing The current proposal is: Preservation Department – Item 3, LPC-21-02877 James Bogardus Triangle, Borough of Manhattan How to Testify Via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84436645003?pwd=MHBPZjExV1ZYYndTVlQrdElhN1FqQT09 Webinar ID: 844 3664 5003 Note: If you want to testify on an item, join the Passcode: 866444 Zoom webinar at the agenda’s “Be Here by” By Phone: time (about an hour in advance). When the Chair indicates it’s time to testify, “raise your 1 646-558-8656 hand” via the Zoom app if you want to speak US (New York) 877-853-5257 (Toll free) (*9 on the phone). Those who signed up in US 888 475 4499 (Toll free) advance will be called first. PROTOTYPICAL KIOSK DESIGN Landmarks Preservation Commission Final Design November 2020 1 INTRODUCTION NYC Plaza Program Concessions • The NYC Plaza Program allows partners to generate revenue for plaza maintenance through the management and operation of subconcessions. • A permanent subconcession kiosk provides the most regular and reliable revenue stream for plaza partners. • A preapproved standard kiosk ensures citywide continuity and reduces timelines and costs for plaza partners. • Based on location and need, plaza partners could incorporate a non- standard design, pending LPC’s approval nyc.gov/dot 2 PROTOTYPICAL PLAZA KIOSK Design Parameters (per preliminary approval) • Dimensions 9’ x 12’ x 10’ • Designed for standard commercial equipment, fixtures and fittings • Unfinished interior so to allow for flexibility in use types • Largely prefabricated • ADA accessible • No greater than $50,000 / unit • Compliant with all applicable DOB and DOHMH standards nyc.gov/dot 3 CITYWIDE PRECEDENT Existing Street Furniture The aesthetic of the kiosk should be harmonious with the city’s streetscape and other street furniture including newsstands, bus shelters, Automatic Public Toilets (APTs) and CityBenches.
    [Show full text]
  • 254-260 Canal Street, Borough of Manhattan
    Landma.rks Preservation Commission Marc~ 12 , 1985; Des ignation List 176 LP-1458 No. 254-260 Canal Street, Borough of Manhattan. Built 1856/57; Ca st- iron facades attributed to James Bogardus. Landmark Site: Borough of Manhattan, Tax Map Block 196 Lot 21. On September 13, 1983 the Landmarks Preservation commission held a public hearing on the proposed designation as a Landmark of the No. 254-260 Canal Street Building and the proposed designation of the related Landmark Site (Item No. 15). The hearing was continued to November 15, 1983 (Item No . 1). Both hearings had been duly advertised 1n accordance with the provisions of the law. A total of three witnesses spoke in support of designation. There were no speakers in opposition to designation. Four letters were received in favor of designation ; a l e tter was received from the owner in opposition to des ignation . (This item had previously been heard on Decem be r 27, 1966 and January 31 , 1967.) DESCRIPTION AND ANALYSIS No. 254-260 Canal Street , at the southwest corner of Canal and Lafayette Streets, i s one of the earliest surviving cast-iron buildings in New York City . Built in 1856/57 for George Bruce, a leade r of the printing indust ry, it was one of the first comme rcial buildings produced during t he transformation of the area around Canal Street from a largely industrial district to a center of the retail trade . Its design exemplifies the successful adaptat ion of the palazzo mode to cast-iron architecture. Sensitively scal ed to an ext remely large s ite, it establishes an unu s ual equilibr ium between the facade's horizontal and ve rtical e lements.
    [Show full text]
  • 63 NASSAU STREET BUILDING, 63 Nassau Street, Manhattan
    Landmarks Preservation Commission May 15, 2007, Designation List 392 LP-2213 63 NASSAU STREET BUILDING, 63 Nassau Street, Manhattan. Built c. 1844; cast-iron facade c.1857- 59, attributed to James Bogardus. Landmark Site: Borough of Manhattan Tax Map Block 65, Lot 2. On November 14, 2006, the Landmarks Preservation Commission held a public hearing on the pro- posed designation as a Landmark of the 63 Nassau Street Building and the proposed designation of the related Landmark Site (Item No. 5). The hearing had been duly advertised in accordance with the provisions of law. Seven people spoke in favor of designation, including representatives of Margot Gayle, founder of the Friends of Cast Iron Architecture (who was present), the Municipal Art Society of New York, New York Landmarks Conservancy, Historic Districts Council, and Metropolitan Chapter of the Victorian Society in America. A rep- resentative of the building’s owner testified against designation. In addition, the Commission received several communications in support of designation, including a resolution from Manhattan Community Board 1. The building had been previously heard by the Commission on December 27, 1966, and January 31, 1967 (LP- 0600). Summary The 5-story, Italianate style cast-iron front facade on the building at No. 63 Nassau Street was almost certainly produced c. 1857-59 by James Bogardus, the pioneer of cast iron architecture in America, making it an extremely rare extant example of his work – it is one of only five known Bogardus buildings in the U.S. (four in New York City). It is also one of the oldest surviving cast-iron- fronted buildings in the city, and one of the very few located in Lower Manhattan, the oldest part of the city and its original financial center.
    [Show full text]
  • CARY BUILDING, 105-107 Chambers Street, Borough of Manhattan
    Landmarks Preservation CoffillQssion August 24, 1982, Designation List 158 LP-1224 CARY BUILDING, 105-107 Chambers Street, Borough of Manhattan. Built 1856-57; architects King & Kellum; iron cast by D.D. Badger's Architectural Ironworks. Landmark Site: Borough of Manhattan Tax Map Block 145, Lot 3. On November 18, 1980, the Landmarks Preservation Commission held a public hearing on the proposed designation as a Landmark of the Cary Building and the proposed designa­ tion of the related Landmark Site (Item No. 10). The hearing was continued to February 10, 1981 (Item No. 3). Both hearings had been duly advertised in accordance with the provisions of law. Nine witnesses spoke in favor of designation. There was one speaker in opposition to designation. A letter hffi been received in favor of designation. DESCRIPTION AND ANALYSIS The Cary Building, built in 1856-57, is one of New York's most important 19th-century commercial structures. Designed by one of New York's most prominent firms specializ­ ing in commercial architecture, with cast-iron fronts fabricated by the city's most important foundry, it is a significant early product of the period during the middle of the century when New York's premier position in the commercial life of the nation was established. The pioneering Cary Building exemplifies three developments which set major patterns for the spectacular commercial growth of post-Civil War New York: 1) the commercial redevelopment of the area north and west of City Hall; 2) the introduction of the Italianate "palazzo" type; and 3) the development of the cast-iron facade.
    [Show full text]
  • The Washington Street Urban Renewal Project
    University of Pennsylvania ScholarlyCommons Theses (Historic Preservation) Graduate Program in Historic Preservation 2001 Moving Historic Structures: The Washington Street Urban Renewal Project Diane Alyssa Jackier University of Pennsylvania Follow this and additional works at: https://repository.upenn.edu/hp_theses Part of the Historic Preservation and Conservation Commons Jackier, Diane Alyssa, "Moving Historic Structures: The Washington Street Urban Renewal Project" (2001). Theses (Historic Preservation). 331. https://repository.upenn.edu/hp_theses/331 Copyright note: Penn School of Design permits distribution and display of this student work by University of Pennsylvania Libraries. Suggested Citation: Jackier, Diane Alyssa (2001). Moving Historic Structures: The Washington Street Urban Renewal Project. (Masters Thesis). University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. This paper is posted at ScholarlyCommons. https://repository.upenn.edu/hp_theses/331 For more information, please contact [email protected]. Moving Historic Structures: The Washington Street Urban Renewal Project Disciplines Historic Preservation and Conservation Comments Copyright note: Penn School of Design permits distribution and display of this student work by University of Pennsylvania Libraries. Suggested Citation: Jackier, Diane Alyssa (2001). Moving Historic Structures: The Washington Street Urban Renewal Project. (Masters Thesis). University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. This thesis or dissertation is available at ScholarlyCommons: https://repository.upenn.edu/hp_theses/331 MOVING HISTORIC STRUCTURES: THE WASHINGTON STREET URBAN RENEWAL PROJECT Diane Alyssa Jackier A THESIS Historic Preservation Presented to tlie Faculties of the University of Pennsylvania in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE 2001 [\^ilyf L V- ^ Jrvisor (^ (y Reader \ David G. De Long, Ph.D. Eugenie L. Birch Professor of Architecture in Historic Preservation Professor and Chair of City and Regional Planning l/\yiAlMA9 Graduate [Group Chair Frank G.
    [Show full text]