81 Pearl Street

also 48 Stone Street | Financial District | built 1836

Open on the map3 entries

Written with AI from the source each entry cites, then fact-checked.

1. 1693

   William Bradford, appointed public printer in 1693, sets up the colony's first printing press on this lot

   In 1693 William Bradford was appointed public printer, and he established the first printing press in the colony on the site of 81 Pearl Street. The 1660 Castello Plan shows three structures here before that. This entry describes an earlier building on the lot.

   “In 1693 William Bradford was appointed public printer and on this site established the first printing press in the colony .”

   Source: NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission

2. 1836

   John V. Greenfield builds a store and loft building at 81 Pearl Street after the 1835 fire

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   At the time of the 1835 fire the lot was occupied by the dry-goods firm Ehle, Bailey & Company and owned by merchant Andrew C. Zabriskie. Merchant John V. Greenfield then bought this lot and No. 79 and built three store and loft buildings in a row. By the end of 1836 this one was finished and occupied by the merchants Conkling, Herring & Company. Zabriskie reacquired it in 1842.

   Source: NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission

3. 1893

   The New-York Historical Society installs a plaque on Pearl Street marking Bradford's printing press

   In 1893 the New-York Historical Society placed a plaque on the Pearl Street front of the building at No. 81. It explains the connection to William Bradford's printing press, which the Landmarks Commission says was set up on this site in 1693. The Greek Revival building behind the plaque dates from 1836 and keeps its granite base and brick upper walls.

   “A plaque installed in 1893 by the New-York Historical Society on the Pearl Street front explains the historical connections to Bradford 's printing press.”

   Source: NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission

Nearby

• 83 Pearl Street3 entries
• 79 Pearl Street4 entries
• 52 Stone Street1 entry
• 77 Pearl Street4 entries
• Armitage Building87 Pearl Street | 3 entries
• 58 Stone Street2 entries

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