Apr 07, 2010 Artifacts
This is a conundrum that still confuses most New Yorkers. You look up and read this sign. There’s no Fourth Avenue in Manhattan! As a matter of fact, you’re standing on Park Ave.
The strangest thing of it all, is between 3rd and the old 4th (Park) is Lexington! And between 4th (Park) and 5th is Madison Ave. Of course that depends on what part of town you’re in. Anywhere below 23rd street and you’re going to hit Broadway first, and then hit 5th. Confused yet?
Originally the Commissioner’s Plan of 1811 set to divide the island into 12 equidistant avenues, running East to West. Most of the avenues were given names over time. But in the meantime, two avenues were constructed in between (Madison & Lexington) , and of course Broadway was never given consideration. It simply cuts through the grid. Other avenues have tried to be renamed, like 6th Avenue becomes “Avenue of the Americas”, although you’ll never catch a New Yorker saying that.
Fourth Avenue eventually became known as Park Avenue.
I’d love to get a cabbie to drop me off at 42nd and 4th. Just to see his face.