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| Central Park Condemnation Map- 1856 |
Ever wondered what Central Park was before it was Central Park? Seneca Village was once located between 82nd and 89th streets and 7th and 8th avenues. It was founded by free Black people in 1825 and grew to be a multi-cultural community of Black, Irish, German, and perhaps American Indian people. Central Park advocates called Seneca Village a "shantytown" with "squatters" as residents, despite the fact that most of the 264 residents had purchased their land and had built three churches, a few cemeteries, and a school. In 1855, Seneca Village was seized under eminent domain, its residents were evicted, and construction of Central Park began.
Seneca Village is an interesting reminder that our parks are not always preserving wilderness- they are sometimes creating it, and sometimes at the expense of people who lived there. Where parks are placed can be loaded decisions tied up in who holds political power and who doesn't. I will learn more!
