The Greatest Grid

THE MASTER PLAN OF MANHATTAN 1811 — NOW

Before
The Grid

The
1811 Plan

BUILDING
THE GRID

19TH-CENTURY
DEVELOPMENT

20th century–
Now

living on
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Before the Grid

Lesson Plan

Randel Map Gallery

Between 1818 and 1820, John Randel, Jr. prepared an atlas of 92 watercolor maps that vividly illustrates the properties, old roads, and major features of pre-grid Manhattan as well as the future location of the new streets and avenues of the 1811 grid.

Drawn at a scale of 100 feet to 1 inch, the Randel Farm Maps provide a detailed picture of Manhattan before its transformation. Hand drawn and colored, they are among the most significant documents in the history of New York as well as a rarity in American urban history, as no comparable maps exist for other early-19th-century American cities. Read More

This set of one-of-a-kind documents has long been in the care of the Office of the Manhattan Borough President. Through an extraordinary public-private collaboration, the Museum of the City of New York and the Office of the Manhattan Borough President worked together to digitize this unique resource and assure its preservation and access to the public.

This website offers two ways to examine the maps: the 92 sheets can be viewed individually in the Randel Map Gallery or as an interactive composite map.

The City of New York as Laid out by the Commissioners (known as the Randel Farm Maps), vol. 1, 1818–20, is used with permission of the City of New York and the Office of the Manhattan Borough President. Show Less

Randel Farm Map: The Frontispiece

Frontispiece to The City of New York as Laid out by the Commissioners (commonly known as the Randel Farm Maps), vol. 1, 1818-20. Read More

Above
173rd St.
173rd St.
—
133rd St.
133rd St.
—
109th St.
109th St.
—
85th St.
85th St.
—
61st St.
61st St.
—
37th St.
37th St.
—
13th St.
13th St.
—
Houston St.
228th St.
221st St.
213th St.
205th St.
197th St.
189th St.
181st St.
173rd St.
165th St.
157th St.
149th St.
141st St.
133rd St.
125th St.
117th St.
109th St.
101st St.
93rd St.
85th St.
77th St.
69th St.
61st St.
53rd St.
45th St.
37th St.
29th St.
21st St.
13th St.
6th St.
Houston St.
Folio 90

Randel Farm Map no. 90,

vol. 4, p. 27, showing 213th to 221st Street, from Twelfth Avenue to the Hudson River, February 1, 1819.

 Folio 91

Randel Farm Map no. 91,

vol. 3, p. 29, showing 213th to 221st Street, from Twelfth Avenue to the Haerlem River, February 1, 1819.
Folio 88

Randel Farm Map no. 88,

vol. 4, p. 26, showing 205th to 213th Street, from Twelfth Avenue to the Hudson River, February 1, 1819.

 Folio 89

Randel Farm Map no. 89,

vol. 3, p. 28, showing 205th to 213th Street, from Twelfth Avenue to the Haerlem River, February 1, 1819.
Folio 86

Randel Farm Map no. 86,

vol. 4, p. 25, showing 197th to 205th Street, from Twelfth Avenue to the Hudson River, February 1, 1819.

 Folio 87

Randel Farm Map no. 87,

vol. 3, p. 27, showing 197th to 205th Street, from Twelfth Avenue to the Haerlem River, February 1, 1819.
Folio 84

Randel Farm Map no. 84,

vol. 4, p. 24, showing 189th to 197th Street, from Twelfth Avenue to the Hudson River, February 1, 1819.

 Folio 85

Randel Farm Map no. 85,

vol. 3, p. 26, showing 189th to 197th Street, from Twelfth Avenue to the Haerlem River, February 1, 1819.
Folio 82

Randel Farm Map no. 82,

vol. 4, p. 23, showing 181st to 189th Street, from Twelfth Avenue to the Hudson River, April 10, 1819.

 Folio 83

Randel Farm Map no. 83,

vol. 3, p. 25, showing 181st to 189th Street, from Twelfth Avenue to the Haerlem River, April 10, 1819.
Folio 80

Randel Farm Map no. 80,

vol. 4, p. 22, showing 173rd to 181st Street, from Twelfth Avenue to the Hudson River, April 10, 1819.

 Folio 81

Randel Farm Map no. 81,

vol. 3, p. 24, showing 173rd to 181st Street, from Twelfth Avenue to the Haerlem River, April 10, 1819.
Folio 74

Randel Farm Map no. 74,

vol. 4, p. 19, showing 149th to 157th Street, from Ninth Avenue to the Hudson River, April 10, 1819.

 Folio 75

Randel Farm Map no. 75,

vol. 3, p. 21, showing 149th to 157th Street, from Ninth Avenue to the Haerlem River, May 18, 1819.
Folio 71

Randel Farm Map no. 71,

vol. 4, p. 18, showing 141st to 149th Street, from Ninth Avenue to the Hudson River, May 18, 1819.

 Folio 72

Randel Farm Map no. 72,

vol. 3, p. 20, showing 141st to 149th Street, from Sixth Avenue to Ninth Avenue, May 18, 1819.

 Folio 73

Randel Farm Map no. 73,

vol. 2, p. 18, showing 141st to 149th Street, from Sixth Avenue to the Haerlem River, May 18, 1819.
Folio 68

Randel Farm Map no. 68,

vol. 4, p. 17, showing 133rd to 141st Street, from Ninth Avenue to the Hudson River, June 15, 1819.

 Folio 69

Randel Farm Map no. 69,

vol. 3, p. 19, showing 133rd to 141st Street, from Sixth Avenue to Ninth Avenue, May 18, 1819.

 Folio 70

Randel Farm Map no. 70,

vol. 2, p. 17, showing 133rd to 141st Street, from Sixth Avenue to the Haerlem River, May 18, 1819.
Folio 64

Randel Farm Map no. 64,

vol. 4, p. 16, showing 125th to 133rd Street, from Ninth Avenue to the Hudson River, June 15, 1819.

 Folio 65

Randel Farm Map no. 65,

vol. 3, p. 18, showing 125th to 133rd Street, from Sixth Avenue to Ninth Avenue, May 18, 1819.

 Folio 66

Randel Farm Map no. 66,

vol. 2, p. 16, showing 125th to 133rd Street, from Third Avenue to Sixth Avenue, May 18, 1819.

 Folio 67

Randel Farm Map no. 67,

vol. 1, p. 19, showing 125th to 129th Street, from Third Avenue to the Haerlem River, May 18, 1819.
Folio 60

Randel Farm Map no. 60,

vol. 4, p. 15, showing 117th to 125th Street, from Ninth Avenue to the Hudson River, June 15, 1819.

 Folio 61

Randel Farm Map no. 61,

vol. 3, p. 17, showing 117th to 125th Street, from Sixth Avenue to Ninth Avenue, July 24, 1820.

 Folio 62

Randel Farm Map no. 62,

vol. 2, p. 15, showing 117th to 125th Street, from Third Avenue to Sixth Avenue, July 8, 1820.

 Folio 63

Randel Farm Map no. 63,

vol. 1, p. 18, showing 117th to 125th Street, from Third Avenue to the East River, July 8, 1820.
Folio 56

Randel Farm Map no. 56,

vol. 4, p. 14, showing 109th to 117th Street, from Ninth Avenue to the Hudson River, June 15, 1819.

 Folio 57

Randel Farm Map no. 57,

vol. 3, p. 16, showing 109th to 117th Street, from Sixth Avenue to Ninth Avenue, June 15, 1819.

 Folio 58

Randel Farm Map no. 58,

vol. 2, p. 14, showing 109th to 117th Street, from Third Avenue to Sixth Avenue, July 24, 1820.

 Folio 59

Randel Farm Map no. 59,

vol. 1, p. 17, showing 109th to 117th Street, from Third Avenue to the Haerlem River, July 24, 1820.
Folio 52

Randel Farm Map no. 52,

vol. 4, p. 13, showing 101st to 109th Street, from Ninth Avenue to the Hudson River, June 15, 1819.

 Folio 53

Randel Farm Map no. 53,

vol. 3, p. 15, showing 101st to 109th Street, from Sixth Avenue to Ninth Avenue, June 15, 1819.

 Folio 54

Randel Farm Map no. 54,

vol. 2, p. 13, showing 101st to 109th Street, from Third Avenue to Sixth Avenue, July 24, 1820.

 Folio 55

Randel Farm Map no. 55,

vol. 1, p. 16, showing 101st to 109th Street, from Third Avenue to the Haerlem River, July 21, 1820.
Folio 48

Randel Farm Map no. 48,

vol. 4, p. 12, showing 93rd to 101st Street, from Ninth Avenue to the Hudson River, June 15, 1819.

 Folio 49

Randel Farm Map no. 49,

vol. 3, p. 14, showing 93rd to 101st Street, from Sixth Avenue to Ninth Avenue, June 15, 1819.

 Folio 50

Randel Farm Map no. 50,

vol. 2, p. 12, showing 93rd to 101st Street, from Third Avenue to Sixth Avenue, July 24, 1820.

 Folio 51

Randel Farm Map no. 51,

vol. 1, p. 15, showing 93rd to 101st Street, from Third Avenue to the East River, July 24, 1820.
Folio 44

Randel Farm Map no. 44,

vol. 4, p. 11, showing 85th to 93rd Street, from Ninth Avenue to the Hudson River, September 1, 1820.

 Folio 45

Randel Farm Map no. 45,

vol. 3, p. 13, showing 85th to 93rd Street, from Sixth Avenue to Ninth Avenue, September 1, 1820.

 Folio 46

Randel Farm Map no. 46,

vol. 2, p. 11, showing 85th to 93rd Street, from Third Avenue to Sixth Avenue, July 8, 1820.

 Folio 47

Randel Farm Map no. 47,

vol. 1, p. 14, showing 85th to 93rd Street, from Third Avenue to the East River, 1820.
Folio 40

Randel Farm Map no. 40,

vol. 4, p. 10, showing 77th to 85th Street, from Ninth Avenue to the Hudson River, September 1, 1820.

 Folio 41

Randel Farm Map no. 41,

vol. 3, p. 12, showing 77th to 85th Street, from Sixth Avenue to Ninth Avenue, September 1, 1820.

 Folio 42

Randel Farm Map no. 42,

vol. 2, p. 10, showing 77th to 85th Street, from Third Avenue to Sixth Avenue, July 24, 1820.

 Folio 43

Randel Farm Map no. 43,

vol. 1, p. 13, showing 77th to 85th Street, from Third Avenue to the East River, July 24, 1820.
Folio 36

Randel Farm Map no. 36,

vol. 4, p. 9, showing 69th to 77th Street, from Ninth Avenue to the Hudson River, September 1, 1820.

 Folio 37

Randel Farm Map no. 37,

vol. 3, p. 11, showing 69th to 77th Street, from Sixth Avenue to Ninth Avenue, September 1, 1820.

 Folio 38

Randel Farm Map no. 38,

vol. 2, p. 9, showing 69th to 77th Street, from Third Avenue to Sixth Avenue, July 24, 1820.

 Folio 39

Randel Farm Map no. 39,

vol. 1, p. 12, showing 69th to 77th Street, from Third Avenue to the East River, July 24, 1820.
Folio 32

Randel Farm Map no. 32,

vol. 4, p. 8, showing 61st to 69th Street, from Ninth Avenue to the Hudson River, September 1, 1820.

 Folio 33

Randel Farm Map no. 33,

vol. 3, p. 10, showing 61st to 69th Street, from Sixth Avenue to Ninth Avenue, September 1, 1820.

 Folio 34

Randel Farm Map no. 34,

vol. 2, p. 8, showing 61st to 69th Street, from Third Avenue to Sixth Avenue, July 24, 1820.

 Folio 35

Randel Farm Map no. 35,

vol. 1, p. 11, showing 61st to 69th Street, from Third Avenue to the East River, July 24, 1820.
Folio 28

Randel Farm Map no. 28,

vol. 4, p. 7, showing 53rd to 61st Street, from Ninth Avenue to the Hudson River, September 1, 1820.

 Folio 29

Randel Farm Map no. 29,

vol. 3, p. 9, showing 53rd to 61st Street, from Sixth Avenue to Ninth Avenue, September 1, 1820.

 Folio 30

Randel Farm Map no. 30,

vol. 2, p. 7, showing 53rd to 61st Street, from Third Avenue to Sixth Avenue, September 1, 1820.

 Folio 31

Randel Farm Map no. 31,

vol. 1, p. 10, showing 53rd to 61st Street, from Third Avenue to the East River, July 24, 1820.
Folio 24

Randel Farm Map no. 24,

vol. 4, p. 6, showing 45th to 53rd Street, from Ninth Avenue to the Hudson River, September 20, 1819.

 Folio 25

Randel Farm Map no. 25,

vol. 3, showing 45th to 53rd Street, from Sixth Avenue to Ninth Avenue, September 20, 1819.

 Folio 26

Randel Farm Map no. 26,

vol. 2, p. 6, showing 45th to 53rd Street, from Third Avenue to Sixth Avenue, September 20, 1819.

 Folio 27

Randel Farm Map no. 27,

vol. 1, p. 9, showing 45th to 53rd Street, from Third Avenue to the East River, September 20, 1820.
Folio 20

Randel Farm Map no. 20,

vol. 4, p. 5, showing 37th to 45th Street, from Ninth Avenue to the Hudson River, December 1, 1819.

 Folio 21

Randel Farm Map no. 21,

vol. 3, p. 5, showing 37th to 45th Street, from Sixth Avenue to Ninth Avenue, September 20, 1819.

 Folio 22

Randel Farm Map no. 22,

vol. 2, p. 5, showing 37th to 45th Street, from Third Avenue to Sixth Avenue, September 20, 1819.

 Folio 23

Randel Farm Map no. 23,

vol. 1, p. 8, showing 37th to 45th Street, from Third Avenue to the East River, September 20, 1819.
Folio 16

Randel Farm Map no. 16,

vol. 4, p. 4, showing 29th to 37th Street, from Ninth Avenue to the Hudson River, September 20, 1819.

 Folio 17

Randel Farm Map no. 17,

vol. 3, p. 4, showing 29th to 37th Street, from Sixth Avenue to Ninth Avenue, September 20, 1819.

 Folio 18

Randel Farm Map no. 18,

vol. 2, p. 4, showing 29th to 37th Street, from Third Avenue to Sixth Avenue, 1819.

 Folio 19

Randel Farm Map no. 19,

vol. 1, p. 7, showing 29th to 37th Street, from Third Avenue to the East River, December 1, 1819.
Folio 12

Randel Farm Map no. 12,

vol. 4, p. 3, showing 21st to 29th Street, from Ninth Avenue to the Hudson River, July 23, 1819.

 Folio 13

Randel Farm Map no. 13,

vol. 3, p. 3, showing 21st to 29th Street, from Sixth Avenue to Ninth Avenue, December 1, 1819.

 Folio 14

Randel Farm Map no. 14,

vol. 2, p. 3, showing 21st to 29th Street, from Third Avenue to Sixth Avenue, December 1, 1819

 Folio 15

Randel Farm Map no. 15,

vol. 1, p. 6, showing 21st to 29th Street, from Third Avenue to the East River, December 1, 1819.
Folio 8

Randel Farm Map no. 8,

vol. 4, p. 2, showing 13th to 21st Street, from Ninth Avenue to the Hudson River, July 23, 1819.

 Folio 9

Randel Farm Map no. 9,

vol. 3, p. 2, showing 13th to 21st Street, from Sixth Avenue to Ninth Avenue, July 23, 1819.

 Folio 10

Randel Farm Map no. 10,

vol. 2, p. 2, showing 13th to 21st Street, from Third Avenue to Sixth Avenue, 1819.

 Folio 11

Randel Farm Map no. 11,

vol. 1, p. 5, showing 13th to 21st Street, from Third Avenue to the East River, December 1, 1819.
Folio 3

Randel Farm Map no. 3,

vol. 4, p. 1, showing Greenwich Lane to 15th Street, from Eighth Avenue to the Hudson River, July 23, 1819.

 Folio 4

Randel Farm Map no. 4,

vol. 3, p.1, showing Greenwich Lane to 13th Street, from Sixth Avenue to Ninth Avenue, July 23, 1819.

 Folio 5

Randel Farm Map no. 5,

vol. 2, p. 1, showing Greenwich Lane to 13th Street, from Third Avenue to Sixth Avenue, December 1, 1819.

 Folio 6

Randel Farm Map no. 6,

vol. 1, p. 3, showing 6th to 13th Street, from Third Avenue to Avenue B, July 23, 1819.

 Folio 7

Randel Farm Map no. 7,

vol. 1, p. 4, showing 6th to 13th Street, from Avenue B to the East River, July 23, 1819.
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