Opinion Paper #5: 1811 Plan and Birth of the Metropolis

In 1789, after Washington was inaugurated as president of the united States in New York, many important events in history of New York happened. The city had rapidly grow and physically changed. The population of the city in 1783 was 12,000 and it became to more than double between 1783 and 1786. In 1790, 19 percent of the city's white households were slave-owners. After gradual process, by 1810, New York City had the largest community of free blacks in America.

New York City had begun to change phycally as well. The west side of Broadway had begun to develop with new building and streets in 1776 and by 1796, it extended to develop the line of currently Houston Street. There were various improvements in Wall Street in 1786. It was the home of many banks and insurance companies, as well as the wealthiest and most fashionable New Yorkers. Interestingly, Taverns played an important role in New York City in 1700s. Taverns offered not only rooms for guest,but also political meetingsole. They were in every area of the city. It is interesting how they had political meetings at Tavern.

It was interesting reading to know how New York City developed by gradually.. Also, as I said many times in other opinion papers and journals, it is amazing those streets and blocks are still there after more than 300 years.