New York City Photographed from a Balloon in 1909

Aerial illustration of New York City based on photograph from a balloon by Butler Brothers, in 1909. It shows Manhattan viewed from Jersey City. Illustrations and text on verso. On verso: "New York American's Souvenir Edition, Tuesday, September 28, 1909." Source: New York Public Library.

Manhattan’s location, a deep water port at the heart of the Hudson, made it ideal as a center for commerce in the 17th century, connecting Europeans, coastal native Americans who dealt in Wampum and upriver native Americans who had access to furs.