Madison Square Park, though often overshadowed by its more bustling counterparts like Union Square and Bryant Park, has its own unique charms that are often overlooked. For one, it boasts the original Shake Shack, Eataly, seasonal art displays, and a stunning view of the iconic Flatiron Building. As a real estate agent who frequently leads apartment tours through the area, I always take the opportunity to share with my clients the park's rich and often forgotten history.

*Photo by Madison Square Park Conservancy*

Manhattan, like much of the city, was once a wild and unlandscaped area, and this was certainly true of the region now known as Madison Square Park. In those days, it was a swampy and remote outpost on the fringes of the city. However, a man named William 'Corporal' Thompson saw the potential in the area and purchased an old farmhouse on 23rd Street. He transformed it into the Thompson Roadhouse, a popular destination for travelers coming to and from the city. Eventually, he renamed it 'Madison Cottage,' and this name would later be adopted by the park and the surrounding Madison Avenue that would come to define the area. It's hard to believe that such a bustling and iconic neighborhood could have such humble origins!

It is also said that the ‘Knickerbocker Baseball Club’ formed and practiced here in the early 1840’s, giving birth to the game of baseball.

One of the most interesting facts about the area is that an old train depot, originally used by the New York and Harlem Rail Line, was located at 26th and Madison. After the depot was moved uptown to Grand Central, the space was leased to none other than P.T. Barnum, who transformed it into an event space. Over time, the building changed hands several times before it was finally given the name 'Madison Square Garden' in 1879. This iconic venue hosted a wide range of events over the years, including the first-ever Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, bike races, boxing matches, and even indoor marathons.

The original Madison Square Garden (1880)
*Photo by NY Historical Society*

In 1890, the second version of Madison Square Garden was opened by a syndicate that included prominent figures such as J.P. Morgan, Andrew Carnegie, and W.W. Astor. The original owner, William Vanderbilt, who was the grandson of the Commodore, sold the building to this group. The arena was designed by renowned architect Stanford White and cost $500,000.

The second iteration of Madison Square Garden (1900)
*Photo by NY Historical Society*

Madison Square Garden would eventually become the site of what many consider to be the "trial of the century." Stanford White, a prominent architect and founding member of the renowned firm McKim, Mead and White - responsible for designing many of New York City's most iconic structures - was tragically murdered on the roof of the Garden. The perpetrator, Harry Thaw, was a wealthy businessman who became enraged after learning of White's affair with his wife, the actress Evelyn Nesbitt. Thaw shot White dead, marking the beginning of a sensational trial.

Madison Square Park (1909)
*Photo by Library of Congress*

I think the most sensational moment in Madison Square Park's history occurred during the six-year period from 1876 to 1882. During that time, the arm —yes, just the arm—of the Statue of Liberty was on display in the park as part of a fundraising effort to construct the statue's pedestal.

The torch was elevated to the same height as the surrounding brownstones, and visitors could ascend a ladder for just 50 cents to enjoy an unforgettable view of the city from the balcony. I absolutely love these surreal photos of the park with the arm breaking the horizon! It’s as if the Statue of Liberty is underground, breaking through.

Please note the painting of an artist's representation of the completed statue.
*Photo by Museum Bartholdi Colmar*

So the next time you’re passing through Madison Square Park, grab a burger and a bench and pause for a moment to look around and remember its vibrant and often forgotten past!

Madison Square Park

Cleopatra’s Needle

The Old Croton Distributing Reservoir