Croton Distributing Reservoir
Encyclopedia
The Croton Distributing Reservoir, also known as the Murray Hill Reservoir, was an above-ground reservoir
at 42nd Street
and Fifth Avenue
in the New York City
borough
of Manhattan
. It supplied the city with drinking water during the 19th century. The reservoir was a man-made lake 4 acres (16,187.4 m²) in area, surrounded by massive, 50 feet (15.2 m) high, 25 feet (7.6 m) thick granite walls. Its facade
was done in a vaguely Egyptian style. Along the tops of the walls were public promenades, offering breathtaking views. After construction was completed, it became a popular place to go strolling for residents of New York City; Edgar Allan Poe
enjoyed his walks at this location. The reservoir held a total capacity of 20 million USgals (75,708.2 m³).
When established, the Croton Aqueduct
was once NYC's foremost water source. Amidst great fanfare, water was introduced into the Croton Distributing Reservoir on July 4, 1842. Prior to construction of the aqueduct, water was obtained from cisterns, wells and barrels from rain. The aqueduct and reservoir obtained their names from the water's source, a series of mostly underground conduits that would bring water from the Croton River
in northern Westchester County to NYC's spigots.
The Croton Distributing Reservoir was torn down at the end of the century; in the 1890s. Today, the main branch of the New York Public Library
and Bryant Park
exist at that location. Some of the reservoir's original foundation can still be found in the South Court at the New York Public Library
. Today water is primarily supplied to New York City via its three city water tunnels. The Central Park Reservoir still remains, but since 1993 has no longer been in use.
Subway commuters can see a historical plaque showing the former reservoir. The plaque is located on the wall in the underground passageway that connects the Fifth Avenue Station of the IRT #7
and 42nd Street Station on the IND Sixth Avenue Line
. A few years before the reservoir was torn down, there were two tablets affixed to the Reservoir. The inscription was:
The second tablet stated:
Reservoir
A reservoir , artificial lake or dam is used to store water.Reservoirs may be created in river valleys by the construction of a dam or may be built by excavation in the ground or by conventional construction techniques such as brickwork or cast concrete.The term reservoir may also be used to...
at 42nd Street
42nd Street (Manhattan)
42nd Street is a major crosstown street in the New York City borough of Manhattan, known for its theaters, especially near the intersection with Broadway at Times Square. It is also the name of the region of the theater district near that intersection...
and Fifth Avenue
Fifth Avenue (Manhattan)
Fifth Avenue is a major thoroughfare in the center of the borough of Manhattan in New York City, New York, United States. The section of Fifth Avenue that crosses Midtown Manhattan, especially that between 49th Street and 60th Street, is lined with prestigious shops and is consistently ranked among...
in the New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
borough
Borough (New York City)
New York City, one of the largest cities in the world, is composed of five boroughs. Each borough now has the same boundaries as the county it is in. County governments were dissolved when the city consolidated in 1898, along with all city, town, and village governments within each county...
of Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
. It supplied the city with drinking water during the 19th century. The reservoir was a man-made lake 4 acres (16,187.4 m²) in area, surrounded by massive, 50 feet (15.2 m) high, 25 feet (7.6 m) thick granite walls. Its facade
Facade
A facade or façade is generally one exterior side of a building, usually, but not always, the front. The word comes from the French language, literally meaning "frontage" or "face"....
was done in a vaguely Egyptian style. Along the tops of the walls were public promenades, offering breathtaking views. After construction was completed, it became a popular place to go strolling for residents of New York City; Edgar Allan Poe
Edgar Allan Poe
Edgar Allan Poe was an American author, poet, editor and literary critic, considered part of the American Romantic Movement. Best known for his tales of mystery and the macabre, Poe was one of the earliest American practitioners of the short story and is considered the inventor of the detective...
enjoyed his walks at this location. The reservoir held a total capacity of 20 million USgals (75,708.2 m³).
When established, the Croton Aqueduct
Croton Aqueduct
The Croton Aqueduct or Old Croton Aqueduct was a large and complex water distribution system constructed for New York City between 1837 and 1842...
was once NYC's foremost water source. Amidst great fanfare, water was introduced into the Croton Distributing Reservoir on July 4, 1842. Prior to construction of the aqueduct, water was obtained from cisterns, wells and barrels from rain. The aqueduct and reservoir obtained their names from the water's source, a series of mostly underground conduits that would bring water from the Croton River
Croton River
The Croton River is a river in southern New York that begins where the East and West Branches of the Croton River meet a little way downstream from the Croton Falls Reservoir...
in northern Westchester County to NYC's spigots.
The Croton Distributing Reservoir was torn down at the end of the century; in the 1890s. Today, the main branch of the New York Public Library
New York Public Library
The New York Public Library is the largest public library in North America and is one of the United States' most significant research libraries...
and Bryant Park
Bryant Park
Bryant Park is a 9.603 acre privately managed public park located in the New York City borough of Manhattan. It is located between Fifth and Sixth Avenues and between 40th and 42nd Streets in Midtown Manhattan...
exist at that location. Some of the reservoir's original foundation can still be found in the South Court at the New York Public Library
New York Public Library
The New York Public Library is the largest public library in North America and is one of the United States' most significant research libraries...
. Today water is primarily supplied to New York City via its three city water tunnels. The Central Park Reservoir still remains, but since 1993 has no longer been in use.
Subway commuters can see a historical plaque showing the former reservoir. The plaque is located on the wall in the underground passageway that connects the Fifth Avenue Station of the IRT #7
7 (New York City Subway service)
The 7 Flushing Local and 7 Flushing Express are rapid transit services of the New York City Subway, providing local and express services along the full length of the IRT Flushing Line...
and 42nd Street Station on the IND Sixth Avenue Line
IND Sixth Avenue Line
The Sixth Avenue Line is a rapid transit line of the B Division of the New York City Subway in the United States. It runs mainly under Sixth Avenue in Manhattan, and continues south through the Rutgers Street Tunnel to Brooklyn...
. A few years before the reservoir was torn down, there were two tablets affixed to the Reservoir. The inscription was:
HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE ACCOUNT OF THE CROTON AQUEDUCT -- The Law authorizing the construction of the work, passed May 2nd, 1834. Stephen Allen, William W. Fox, Saul Alley, Charles Dusenberry and Benjamin M. Brown were appointed Commissioners. During the year 1834, two surveys were made--one by DAVID B. DOUGLASS and the other by JOHN MARTINEAU. In April, 1835, a majority of the Electors of the City voted in favour of constructing the Aqueduct. On the 7th May following, the _Common Council_ "instructed the Commissioners to proceed with the work." David B. Douglass was employed as Chief Engineer until October, 1836; when he was succeeded by John B. JervisJohn B. JervisJohn Bloomfield Jervis was an American civil engineer. He was America's leading consulting engineer of the antebellum era . Jervis was a pioneer in the development of canals and railroads for the expanding United States...
. In March, 1837, Benjamin M. Brown resigned, and was succeeded by Thomas T. Woodruff. In March, 1840, the before mentioned Commissioners were succeeded by Samuel Stevens, John D. Ward, Zevedee Ring, Benjamin Birdsall and Samuel R. Childs. The work was commenced in May, 1837. On the 22nd June, 1842, the Aqueduct was so far completed that it received the Water from the Croton River Lake; on the 27th the Water entered the Receiving Reservoir and was admitted into this Reservoir on the succeeding 4th of July. The DAM at the Croton River is 40 feet high, and the overfall 251 feet in length. The CROTON RIVER LAKE is five miles long, and covers an area of 400 acres. The AQUEDUCT, from the DAM to this Reservoir, is 40½ miles long, and will deliver in twenty-four hours 60,000,000 imperial gallons. The capacity of the Receiving Reservoir is 150,000,000 gallons, and of this reservoir 20,000,000. The cost, to and including this Reservoir, nearly $9,000,000.
The second tablet stated:
CROTON AQUEDUCT -- DISTRIBUTING RESERVOIR -- COMMISSIONERS:
SAMUEL STEVENS
ZEBEDEE RING
JOHN D. WARD
BENJ^n BIRDSALL
SAMUEL R. CHILDS
ENGINEERS:
JOHN B. JERVISJohn B. JervisJohn Bloomfield Jervis was an American civil engineer. He was America's leading consulting engineer of the antebellum era . Jervis was a pioneer in the development of canals and railroads for the expanding United States...
. CHIEF.
H^o ALLEN, PRIN^l ASSIST.
P. HASTIE, RESIDENT.
BUILDERS:
THOMSON PRICE & SON.
COMMENCED A. D. MDCCCXXXVIII.
COMPLETED A. D. MDCCCXLII.
External links
- Manhole Cover in the Water System
