New York City’s Greenwich Village is a thriving financial/entertainment center and a testament to the city’s rich history. A favorite destination for history, art, music, foodies, and architecture buffs, this area is also home to countless corporate headquarters.
Graveyard in NYC Manhattan
A dark and mysterious past lies at the heart of the Greenwich Village mystique. In 1797 the city government designated the ten-acre Washington Square park as an execution site. This meant that, prior to 1820, Washington Square Park was the site of public executions and a cemetery for the unknown (potter’s field). As a result, locals associate many unsolved mysteries and murders with this former graveyard. For example, Edgar Allan Poe was inspired in the mystery of “The Mystery of Marie Rogêt” by the 1841 murder of Mary Cecilia Rogers and the subsequent suicide of her fiancé. A similar mystery surrounds the case of infamous crime boss, Arnold Rothstein (rumored to have interfered with the 1919 World Series), whose murder remains a mystery to this day. The mobster was shot at the Park Central Hotel in the stomach while playing poker. Despite living for several additional days, he mysteriously refused to reveal his murderer’s identity.
By 1960, New York City’s population grew exponentially, increasing the borough borders. In addition, up to 3.5 million people populated the neighborhood during the 20th century due to the migrant boom. As a result, Greenwich Village is a testament to the diversity and growth of NYC’s culture. Visitors and locals alike are captivated by Greenwich Village’s historic charm and modern glitz, resulting in billions flocking to the city to visit.
Washington Square Park
Washington Square Park is home to the Washington Square Association, the oldest cultural neighborhood association in NYC, located directly across from the Washington Square Arch (designed by Stanford White, 1892). This neighborhood is home to a thriving culture of writers, artists, and musicians. Today no one would suspect that the park sits on top of a populated graveyard. However, the popular estimate is that around 20,000 bodies lie below the park grounds. In the northwest corner of the park, you will find the “Hangman’s Elm,” the oldest surviving tree in Manhattan. Authorities allegedly used the tree as an execution (hanging) site. In 1890, during the arch construction, numerous corpses and graves were unearthed, some gravestones dating back to 1803. This graveyard was likely a burial site of the adjacent Scotch Presbyterian Church.
Real-Estate Boom
In 1827 the square was a site of a real-estate boom. As the city constructed the square, NYU purchased property ten times the price of six years earlier. Two years after the purchase, the NYU property value increased by two hundred and forty percent. Wealthy families seeking to build mansions chose the area for expansion. The Thomas Suffern House, constructed in 1832, is a prime example of Greek Revival architecture, with red bricks, marble, and regal entrance arches. Home to generations of the Suffern clan, the house was a site of many celebrations with a rich, romantic history.
Historic Properties Worth Visiting
- 14 West 10th Street is a Greek Revival mansion and a former residence of Mark Twain. According to many reports since it has been split into apartments and haunted. After appearing on numerous paranormal shows, the house was dubbed The House of Death.
- Washington Square Arch (constructed in 1892) is a triumphant marble structure and an iconic uptown fixture.
- 29 Washington Square West is Eleanor Roosevelt’s former home. Eleanor Roosevelt occupied an apartment in this building from 1942 to 1949.
- Triangle Shirtwaist Factory (23 Washington Place) is a 10-floor building currently owned by New York University.
- At 1 Washington Square North, Edward Hopper studio is a gorgeous brick, four-story historic building.
Given that New York University snagged a good amount of property in 1827, most historic buildings around Washington Square Park are university-owned. The visit-worthy list includes the Silver School of Social Work, Silver Center for Arts and Science, Silverstein Lounge, Goddard Hall, NYU – Elmer Holmes Bobst Library, Kimmel Center for university life, Islamic Center, King Juan Carlos I of Spain Center, Lipton Hall, NYU School of Law, Wilf Hall, Hayden residence hall.
In addition, Washington Square Park boasts beautiful local churches with a rich, historical past. The following are worth a visit: The Judson Memorial Church, Washington Square, Methodist Episcopal Church, St. Joseph’s, New York Arch Diocese Catholic, and the 10th Church of Christ, Scientist.
Greenwich Village Culture
Washington Square area (Greenwich Village) is home to a thriving bohemian artistic culture. As described in the romantic novel Washington Square by Henry James (1880), the square was a “rich and honorable” portrayal of social history. The area is known for theaters, experimental art, museums, galleries, music studios, performer venues, and more.
If you wish to visit Washington Square and spend some time luxuriating during the warm weather months, you can enjoy street food such as dosa at The Legendary Dosa Man. A great sit-down option with a view of the square is the North Square restaurant, where you can grab afternoon tea or jazz brunch (103 Waverly Place). Once your architecture tour concludes, you can pop into the neighborhood historic jazz club, the Blue Note (a block away at 131 West 3rd Street), and enjoy the best jazz that Manhattan has to offer. Check their star-studded schedule of performances and enjoy a jazz dinner or late-night drink.
Want to Live by Washington Square Park?
Suppose you fall in love with the Washington Square neighborhood. In that case, current properties for sale include a beautiful apartment at 135 West 4th Street for $3,250,000 and a property at 73 Washington Place for $11,000,000. There are also plenty of great rental apartment units located by Washington Square Park. While it’s a hefty price tag to pay, it’s undeniable that you would own a piece of Manhattan’s architecture, its history, and culture. Of course, such a legacy may not come cheap but let’s not forget the numerous neighborhood shops, cafes, renowned restaurants, bars, and entertainment. Washington Square’s neighborhood inspired many over the centuries. Won’t you let it inspire you?
