In a message dated 11/9/2006 6:02:13 PM Eastern Standard Time, Rebecca_Milzoff@ newyorkmag.com writes:
Our writer mentions that asphalt was laid on Upper Fifth Avenue in 1897 and I've had no luck confirming this anywhere. Do you happen to know if this is correct? Please let me know ASAP. Thanks.
"Was laid in 1897" or "existed in 1897"? Asphalt was a top end pavement, and certainly used in spots on Fifth, or even the whole thing years earlier to 1897. A letter in the Times in early 1898 referred to the existing asphalt pavement being torn up. But as to whether asphalt was actually being set down in the calendar year 1897, I have no idea.
But, jeepers, isn't this the writer's job? Was the last time I checked.
Christopher Gray
"Streetscapes" Columnist, Sunday Real Estate Section, The New York Times
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