Blog Archive - Daily Posting

Historic Pelham Blog Archive
October 9, 2009

350TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION BOOK: "THOMAS PELL AND THE LEGEND OF THE PELL TREATY OAK" -- $11.95 (PROCEEDS AFTER PRINTING COSTS WILL GO TO BARTOW-PELL MANSION MUSEUM). CLICK HERE TO BROWSE BEFORE YOU BUY! LEARN MORE.

Friday, October 9, 2009
Eight Illustrations Showing Views of Pelham During the 1880s

Please Visit the Historic Pelham Web Site

Located at http://www.historicpelham.com/
Click here to see a single index of all Historic Pelham Blog Postings to date

In 1887, John Mullaly published a book on the new parks being developed beyond the Harlem including the park known as Pelham Bay Park. The lands in that area were, at the time, still within the Town of Pelham. Mullaly's book included eight illustrations showing views of the area during the 1880s. Today's Historic Pelham Blog posting includes those eight illustrations as well as citations to their respective sources.

A quick note from the Editor: Each of the eight images below, like many others published on the Historic Pelham Blog and on the Historic Pelham Web site, contain copyright notices. Not long ago a commenter indicated that I should not be asserting a copyright over material in the public domain. The commenter, however, was under a complete misimpression. I assert no copyright interest over the underlying material in the public domain that I scan. Rather, I assert copyright interest over the scanned images of the material that I have created myself -- something that the creator of such a work is entitled to do. Here is an example of why I do so. Recently I received a Google Web Alert that revealed that certain of the images I have created for the Historic Pelham Blog and the Historic Pelham Web site had been downloaded by an anonymous visitor and then posted to a photo Web site that sells the images and splits the proceeds with the individuals who post such content to that photo Web site. I have asserted my copyright interest and have demanded takedowns. And now, back to our story . . . .

During the 1880s, John Mullaly helped found the New York Park Association. He pressed for the creation of green space for the expanding City of New York. He is known as the father of the Bronx parks system. In 1887, only three years after passage of the New Parks Act that authorized the acquisition of lands including lands located today in Pelham Bay Park for use as New York City Parks, Mullaly published an influential book that promoted the notion of the proposed parks. The book included thirty illustrations, eight of which showed views within the Town of Pelham on the lands that New York City planned to acquire for the creation of Pelham Bay Park. Here is a full citation to the work:

Mullaly, John, The New Parks Beyond the Harlem with Thirty Illustrations and Map - Descriptions of Scenery - Nearly 4000 Acres of Free Playground for the People. Abundant Space for a Parade Ground, a Rifle Range, Base Ball, Lacrosse, Polo, Tennis and All Athletic Games; Picnic and Excursion Parties, and Nine Miles of Waterfront for Bathing, Fishing, Yachting & Rowing (NY, NY: Record's Guide 1887) (hereinafter "Mullaly, The New Parks").

Mullaly, The New Parks, at 119. View of Pelham Bay Park from Pelham Bridge, Looking Southerly.

Mullaly, The New Parks, at 125. Pelham Bay Park - Prospect Hill, Looking Westward.

Mullaly, The New Parks, at 129. Pelham Bay Park - From Hunter's Island, Looking South.

Mullaly, The New Parks, at 135. Pelham Bay Park - From Bartow's Looking South.

Mullaly, The New Parks, at 141. Pelham Bay Park - Hunter's Island, Looking Easterly.

Mullaly, The New Parks, at 147. Pelham Bay Park - East Chester Bay - South of Pelham Bridge.

Mullaly, The New Parks, at 153. Pelham Bay Park - View of Upland.

Mullaly, The New Parks, at 157. Pelham Bay Park - Picnic Point.

Please Visit the Historic Pelham Web Site
Located at http://www.historicpelham.com/
Click here to see a single index of all Historic Pelham Blog Postings to date.

posted by Blake A. Bell @ 5:17 AM Comment

Click Here to View the Blog Posting for October 9, 2009.

Historic Pelham Blog Archive October 9, 2009

Historic Pelham Blog Archive
October 9, 2009