8. A Cable Car Could Have Bisected Gramercy Park

gramercy-park-estate-map-nyc-untapped-citiesAn 1853 estate map of the area surrounding Gramercy Park. Image from New York Public Library Digital Gallery

Towards the end of the nineteenth century, a cable car was proposed to connect Irving Place to Lexington Avenue by cutting through Gramercy Park. The bill passed the New York State Legislature, but was eventually vetoed by Governor David B. Hill. In 1912, a similar proposal surfaced – this time, a road was suggested to bisect the park. However, due to protests from the Gramercy Park Association, the idea was eventually nixed.