The Studebaker building is the large building on the left. Looking east from the Riverside Drive viaduct.
John "Smitty" Smith's meat market on 12th Ave. Coincidentally enough, his new shop will be on the block where I live.
The "cobblestones and trolley tracks" mentioned in the Times article. Transit fans and geography buffs should notice a couple of interesting things in this photo.
The new Cotton Club. As far as I know this is not at all related to the famous Cotton Club that was once on Lenox Ave.
The New York Times ran a story yesterday about Columbia's expansion into Manhattanville. The university has much less space per student than any other major research university and is looking to expand. As I've alluded to several times, this past Spring I spend several weekend mornings walking around the neighborhood taking pictures with the intent of putting them online. Yesterday's story has given me the jolt to get off my butt and do so.
Eric Washington, who is mentioned in the article, has written a book about Manhattanville and leads walking tours of the neighborhood. I've read the book and taken the tour. Part of why I've returned to take photos is to better understand Columbia's plan and its potential impact on the neighborhood.
This first set of photos are of places mentioned in the article. Future posts will move on to other scenes and I'll try to tell more of Manhattanville's history and Columbia's expansion plans.
Why do you keep calling it Manhattanville. IT's Harlem.
Morningside Heights, Washington Heights and Manhattanville are all in Harlem. Remember where Malcolm X was killed? It was Harlem at the Audobom (excuse spelling) theater. What do they call the neighborhood today Washington Heights. At least WH has a name. Nobody says the name Manhattanville except you. So I guess when you're in the projects that surround the location, are you still in Manhattanville. I understand what you're trying to do. But nobody even calls it that. IT's Harlem. You must be from ot of town or bought the hype.
Posted by: ML | 31 March 2007 at 12:46 PM
That specific area is called Manhattanville because that's the name of the town that was there originally. I don't disagree that it, much like Sugar Hill or Hamilton Heights, belongs to the larger area known as Harlem.
According to Eric K. Washington's book "Manhattanville: Old Heart of West Harlem", the village of Manhattanville was established in 1806. It was an important northern outpost to the city of New York through much of the 19th century. Washington has also edited much of a Wikipedia entry about Manhattanville.
Posted by: Joe | 31 March 2007 at 01:02 PM