The Swamp

A rather unique section of the business portion of the
city is "The Swamp," headquarters of the leather trade.
In the very early days of our city's history, this region
was the home of the tanners, and their old time vats are
even now disclosed when new building operations are
undertaken. The tanners originally started in John
Street, where they owned land in common, and one of
their prominent men, John Harpinberg, gave the land
on which was built the old Middle Dutch Church. The
street was named after him.

From John to Frankfort Street is the original
"Swamp.'' It was part of the Beekman and Leisler farms
and was called "Beekman's Cripple Bush." At one time
it was leased to Rip Van Dam for 20 shillings a year. In
1744 it was sold to Jacobus Roosevelt for $1,000. The
ground is still low, soft and wet, and the buildings rest
on piles. At the corner of Frankfort and William Streets
stood the Carlton House, where Dickens stopped and
where Poe lived for a time. Through all these years the
"Swamp" has remained loyal to its first love—leather—
and is today the largest riiarket for that staple in the
world. There are now many large buildings in this
region, notably on the old St. Georges' Chapel property,
on part of which a great belting firm stands. The corner
on which St. George's stood is now occupied by a large
paper warehouse. All the great leather houses are still
in "The Swamp," and everything seems to point toward
their remaining there, so that "The Swamp" bids fair to
become New York's oldest landmark.
 

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