9. There are Remnants of the Croton Reservoir Inside the New York Public Library
On July 4, 1842, the Croton, or Murray Hill, Distributing Reservoir opened to a crowd of 20,000 people. The reservoir, which extended from 40th to 42nd Street between 5th and 6th Avenues, cost $500,000 to construct and was designed by John Jervis and James Renwick in the Egyptian Revival style. By 1877, the reservoir had become obsolete and there were immediate calls for its demolition. Its detractors, including The New York Times, called it “useless, a hideous object to the sight, and a blight upon the neighborhood.”
They ignored the ramparts, which provided splendid views of the Long Island Sound and New Jersey, and the beautiful masonry work of the reservoir itself. By 1900, the reservoir was demolished. The main branch of the New York Public Library rose in its place. Some of the reservoir’s foundation can be seen inside the library. At the time of publishing, the remnants are currently concealed while a new staircase is being built. They will be visible again in the spring of 2023. Check out remnants of another reservoir that used to stand in Central Park here!