March uptown facts for kids

This map shows how Manhattan was planned to grow in 1811, with a grid of streets moving northward.

The uptown trend of Manhattan describes how New York City has grown steadily northward over many years. Imagine it like a slow, steady march! From the 1600s to the 1900s, people and businesses kept moving further up the island.

How Manhattan Expanded North

This trend started when the first European settlers arrived. They built New Amsterdam at the very bottom tip of Manhattan Island. As the city grew, it expanded in one main direction: north.

The City's Grid Plan

A big step in this growth was the Commissioners' Plan of 1811. This was a special plan that laid out a grid of streets and avenues for most of Manhattan. It helped the city expand in an organized way, always pushing northward.

From Farms to Neighborhoods

Before the city reached them, many areas in northern Manhattan were small farming villages. Places like Harsenville, Carmansville, and Harlem were once quiet farmlands. Over time, these areas changed. They became busy industrial spots, then residential suburbs, and finally, full urban neighborhoods. The empty land between these villages was filled in as the city grew.

Different Parts of the City Moved Uptown

Not everything moved north at the exact same speed. Different parts of city life followed their own paths.

Businesses and Shops

For example, many businesses and shops started in Lower Manhattan. But over time, they slowly moved northward to Midtown Manhattan. This area became a new center for shopping and business.

Wealthy Families and Social Life

Wealthy families, sometimes called "the Four Hundred" in the past, often led the way. They would move to new, fancier neighborhoods further north. Businesses and other homes would then follow them.

African American Communities

Different groups of people also moved. African American neighborhoods moved several times. They started in places like the Five Points in Lower Manhattan. Over time, they moved through different areas, often due to changes in their communities. Eventually, many settled in Harlem, which became a famous and important center for African American culture.

Broadway Theatres

Even entertainment followed the trend! Broadway theatre started in Lower Manhattan in the 1800s. It slowly moved up Broadway, a famous street. Eventually, the theatres settled around an area called Longacre Square. This area was later renamed Times Square. The move pushed out the horse-trading businesses that were there before.

When the Trend Changed

For a long time, it seemed like nothing could stop Manhattan from growing northward. However, in the 21st century, the trend started to change a bit. After the September 11 attacks in 2001, there was a period where some parts of the city began to grow and develop more in the downtown areas again.