Report of New York State Survey for the Year 1879
GARDNER, James T and Frederick Law OLMSTED. Special Report of New York State Survey on the Preservation of the Scenery of Niagara Falls, and Fourth Annual Report on the Triangulation of the State for the Year 1879. 96 pp. Illustrated with engraved fold out frontispiece, 9 heliotype prints, one full page engraved plate, one photolithographic facsimile plate, 4 fold out maps and two loose folding maps. 8vo., 230 x 145 mm, bound in publisher's blue cloth. Albany: Charles Van Benthuysen & Sons, 1880.
A key publication in the creation of the Nation's first state park'. " Concerns about the preservation of Niagara Falls had begun to emerge in the late 1860s, as industrialists situated power plants along the shoreline and entrepreneurs bought up land so they could charge visitors for a view. Frederick Law Olmsted was one of the leaders of the "Free Niagara" movement, which urged New York State to take control of the Falls so the natural beauty of the surrounding land could be protected from commercial interests and exploitation and remain free and open to the public. This report, authored in part by Olmsted, was commissioned by the State to survey current conditions and make recommendations on what should be done. As anticipated, the report concluded that "we find its treasures in the grasp of money-getters, and its sacred groves assailed by the axes of the mill-man of desecrated by the purveyor of public amusements; and are convinced that destruction of the scenery will be swift and certain unless the all-powerful State shall appear as the preserver of Niagara." The recommendations of Gardner and Olmstead, along with Barker's compelling photos of area's natural beauty and the development along the shoreline, helped turn the tide of both public opinion and rouse state bureaucrats into action. Niagara Falls State Park -- America's oldest state park -- was established in 1885. A fine copy of a rare publication. Printed presentation slip from Gardner tipped in.
Item nr. 168865
Price:
$1,500.00