The map below, illustrating Harlem in the 1820's shows the non-grid roads that were present in our community before the Commissioners' Plan imposed the grid on Manhattan.  You can see the Streets listed on the left, and Avenuess below.  

The ‘cow-path’ roads that are not following the right angled Commissioner’s Plan are the older Dutch and First Peoples’ roads/paths.

Note that even in the 1820’s, the 3rd Avenue Bridge location was a crossing between Manhattan and the continental United States. 

Also note that Marcus Garvey Park's original name was not Mount Morris, but Snake Hill.

A Deep Dive Into Why East Harlem’s Target Really Closed

Did you know that the East River Plaza’s Target was the size of 3 football fields?