Believe it or not, every single brick and asphalt road in New York City was built by somebody. And we’re not just talking about the buildings! Everything you see in the city was constructed by hardworking men and women over a period of centuries. In this blog post, we’re going to take a quick look at how New York City was built. Ready? Let’s go!
The first people to live in the area now known as New York City were the Lenape Native Americans. They were slowly pushed out of the area by European settlers beginning in the 1600s. The Dutch were the first Europeans to settle in the area, and they founded the colony of New Netherland. In 1664, the English took control of the colony and renamed it New York.
The city really started to grow in the late 1600s and early 1700s when people from all over Europe started flocking to the city. They came seeking religious freedom, economic opportunity, and a better life. By 1800, there were more than 60,000 people living in New York City! Can you believe it?
As the city continued to grow, so did the need for infrastructures like roads, bridges, and canals. In 1811, the Commissioners' Plan of 1811 laid out a street grid for Manhattan that is still used today. The Erie Canal was completed in 1825, linking New York City to the Great Lakes region and making trade much easier and faster. Hundreds of thousands of immigrants arrived through Ellis Island after it opened in 1892. And so on and so forth!
New York City is an ever-changing metropolis that is constantly evolving. It is truly amazing to think about all of the different people who have contributed to its construction over centuries. Next time you’re walking around the Big Apple, take a moment to appreciate all of its history and uniqueness. It really is like nowhere else on earth!
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