The points of interest referred to in this book are to be found in thelower part of the Island of Manhattan.
Settlements having early been made in widely separated parts of theisland, streets were laid out from each settlement as they were neededwithout regard to the city as a whole; with the result that as the citygrew the streets lengthened and those of the various sections met atevery conceivable angle. This resulted in a tangle detrimental to thecity's interests, and in 1807 a Commission was appointed to devise aCity Plan that should protect the interests of the whole community.
A glance at a city map will show the confusion of streets at the lowerend of the island and the regularity brought about under the City Planabove Houston Street on the east, and Fourteenth Street on the westside.
The plan adopted by the Commission absolutely disregarded the naturaltopography of the island, and resulted in a city of straight lines andright angles.