Wall Street in 19th Century

Antique illustration of Wall Street, 1846, looking east from Broad Street. It was made for the Ladies Wreath by the artist John A. Rolph (1799-1862). Drawn and Engraved for the N.Y. Illustrated Magazine. Source: The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs. NYPL Digital Collections.

The view represents a telegraph line with overhead wires. On the left, the building erected for the Custom House, between 1833 and 1842, on the site of the old City Hall. The adjoining building, 32 Wall Street, was erected in 1824 for the Assay Office. At that time, Wall Street already contained the new Merchants' Exchange building, completed in 1842, most of the banks, together with the principal part of the brokers and insurance offices. More: Wall Street in 19th century ►

Another version of the illustration above, but hand colored, dated 1846, with additional text: "Site of the Bank of the Manhattan Company Building from Broad & Wall streets".