Manhattan Landfill History
Summary
Manhattan’s shoreline has been dramatically altered by landfill since the Dutch era. Pearl Street was the original East River waterfront; today it’s several blocks inland. Major landfill campaigns: 1680s-1700s (Water Street), 1790s-1800s (Front Street), 1800s-1830s (South Street). The Battery was extended, and the entire west side was filled to create Battery Park City in the 1970s-80s.