Yet another fantasia on McGowan’s Pass, as conjured up at the time of Central Park’s opening. As usual, we are supposed to be looking at a pastoral scene of about 1814-1816.
By 1858 Fort Fish (top of the photo) was overgrown with foliage and the old McGowan house had mostly disappeared into the Mount St. Vincent’s complex. As the Park’s northern boundary was 106th Street, these landmarks were the Ultima Thule of Central Park-land.
Fort Clinton, left center, looks like a large anthill.
The NYPL picture collection unhelpfully dates this according to the date of printing, 1858, rather than the era being shown.