Lincoln Square, Manhattan facts for kids
Lincoln Square is a famous area in New York City. It's both a square and the neighborhood around it. You can find it on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.
The heart of Lincoln Square is where Broadway and Columbus Avenue meet, between West 65th and 66th streets. The neighborhood stretches from Columbus and Amsterdam avenues, and from 66th to 63rd streets. Sometimes, people use the name "Lincoln Square" to talk about a bigger area, from 59th to 72nd streets.
This area is home to Lincoln Center, which is a group of places for performing arts like music and dance. You'll also find the Manhattan campus of Fordham University here. The Walt Disney Company has its New York City offices in Lincoln Square, including ABC, ESPN, Hulu, and studios for WABC-TV.
Getting around is easy, as the 66th Street–Lincoln Center station of the New York City Subway is right here. Lincoln Square is part of Manhattan Community District 7.
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History of Lincoln Square
Before Lincoln Square became what it is today, this area was known as San Juan Hill. It was a neighborhood mostly made up of African American families living in apartment buildings called tenements. San Juan Hill was roughly bordered by Amsterdam Avenue to the east and West End Avenue to the west.
Some people think the name "San Juan Hill" came from a group of soldiers who fought in the Spanish–American War. In the early 1900s, this was one of the busiest African American neighborhoods in Manhattan. One block alone had nearly 5,000 people living there!
Famous Residents and Music
Many talented people lived in San Juan Hill. Thelonious Monk, a famous jazz musician, moved here in 1922. He wrote some of his well-known songs, like Bye-ya and Bemsha Swing, with Denzil Best, who also grew up in the neighborhood. Another famous musician, James P. Johnson, lived here in the 1910s and 1920s. He wrote the music for the popular "Charleston" dance.
Building a New Future
By 1940, many of the old buildings in San Juan Hill were in poor condition. The city decided to start a project called "urban renewal" to improve the area. This meant tearing down the old tenements to build new, modern homes. The Amsterdam Housing Projects were built in 1948, replacing three blocks where many families used to live.
In the 1950s and 1960s, a group of leaders, including John D. Rockefeller III, worked together to build Lincoln Center. This was part of a big plan called the "Lincoln Square Renewal Project." Famous architects designed the new buildings, and construction began in 1959. Over the next 30 years, this area changed from an older neighborhood into a vibrant cultural center.
However, this project also meant that over 7,700 residents had to move from their homes. Most of these families moved to other neighborhoods like Harlem or the Bronx.
How Lincoln Square Got Its Name
The reason why this area was named "Lincoln Square" is a bit of a mystery! The name was given in 1906 by the New York City Board of Aldermen, but the official records don't say why.
Some people thought it might be named after a local landowner, but records don't show anyone named Lincoln owning property there. Another idea is that it was named to honor U.S. President Abraham Lincoln. It's possible that any mention of President Lincoln was left out of the records because the mayor at the time, George B. McClellan Jr., was the son of General George B. McClellan, who was a rival of Lincoln during the American Civil War.
People of Lincoln Square
In 2010, about 61,489 people lived in Lincoln Square. This was an increase of over 6,000 people since 2000, showing that the neighborhood is growing! The area covers about 371 acres, which is like 371 football fields.
The people living in Lincoln Square come from many different backgrounds. In 2010, most residents were White, but there were also many people of Asian, African American, and Hispanic or Latino heritage. This mix of cultures makes Lincoln Square a diverse and interesting place to live.
Fun Places to See
Lincoln Square has many interesting places to visit:
- ABC Television Center East studios, where shows are made.
- American Folk Art Museum, a museum dedicated to art made by everyday people.
- Central Park, a huge park perfect for playing and relaxing.
- Columbus Circle, a busy roundabout with a statue of Christopher Columbus.
- Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, a famous school for talented young artists.
- Fordham University Lincoln Center campus, a university right in the city.
- Juilliard School, one of the world's leading performing arts schools.
- Lincoln Center, a collection of theaters and halls for music, dance, and opera.
- Lincoln Square farmers market, where you can buy fresh food.
- Lincoln Square Synagogue, a place of worship.
- Manhattan New York Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
- Merkin Concert Hall, a place to enjoy live music.
- Professional Children's School, a school for young performers.
- Sesame Workshop, the creators of Sesame Street.
- West Side YMCA, a community center for fitness and activities.
Notable People From Lincoln Square
- Barbara Hillary (1931–2019) was born in San Juan Hill. She was the first African-American woman to reach both the North Pole and the South Pole!
