Maps: Layers of Lower Manhattan (text-only)

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1880s: American Industrial Metropolis

New York endured fierce battles during the American Revolution, rebuilt after devastating fires, and toughed out economic downturns , maintaining its dominance as America's commercial capital. The completion of the Erie Canal in 1825 opened up the inner American continent to European commerce and fueled the growth of New York's port. Cargo streamed into the harbor and was unloaded onto finger piers, to be used in thousands of city factories or transported elsewhere. Millions of immigrants arrived in America through Lower Manhattan, and New York grew into a metropolis -- the nation's largest city.

1. Elevated Rail Line
As New Yorkers built further north on their island, they needed better modes of transportation to midtown and uptown centers. The first successful elevated train line connecting Lower Manhattan with the city's upper reaches opened in 1872, providing a high-tech alternative to horse-drawn streetcars. The city soon extended the 'el' line, connecting Manhattan with Brooklyn and the Bronx.

2. Brooklyn Bridge
With a span of over a quarter mile -- the longest in the world at that time -- an awe-inspiring steel suspension bridge connecting Manhattan and Brooklyn opened in 1883. A large terminal on the Manhattan side of the East River accommodated crossing trains and transfers to the 'el.' The surrounding area, including the new City Hall and City Hall Park, bustled with activity.

3. Castle Garden
The U.S. Army built Castle Garden on an artificial island to defend the city during the war of 1812. The army vacated the fort in 1821 and deeded the structure to the city. It was transformed into an arts center, showcasing opera and theater. Jenny Lind, a singer known as "the Swedish Nightingale," made her American debut there in 1850. In 1855 land was filled in to connect the island to Manhattan, and New York State converted the structure to an immigration portal. Over eight million immigrants entered the country through Castle Garden until it closed in 1890. Architects McKim, Mead and White redesigned it as the New York City Aquarium in 1894.

4. Washington Market
A massive food market opened at Washington, Fulton and Vesey Streets in 1812 and grew to become the nation's largest by 1858. Local restaurateurs and residents jammed the markets, tying up traffic, to purchase local produce and processed cheeses and meats, as well as imported spices and coffee. Adding to the congestion, peddlers purchased surplus food in the early morning hours to sell throughout the day from pushcarts.

5. Tower Building
Erected in 1889, the world's first steel-framed building heralded the age of the skyscraper, the defining element of Manhattan's skyline. The eleven-story structure was designed by Bradford Lee Gilbert, who kept an office on the top floor to answer skeptics who wondered if the building was safe. From his perch, Gilbert had a fine view of the brand-new Statue of Liberty and the endless stream of ships bearing immigrants and cargo.