New York State History

Gracie Mansion, home of New York's Mayors, used to be a remote country residence when it was first erected by Archibald Gracie in 1799. It is now located in a park named for the famous German liberal Carl Schurz.

A typical New York City fireboat. Boats such as this are on station throughout the entire harbor, operated by the Marine Division of the New York City Fire Department. Duty on a fireboat is dangerous, but interesting and varied. Marine Division headquarters are at Pier A, the Battery, with other boats located at Grand Street, Manhattan; Bloomfield Street on the North (or Hudson) River, and at St. George, Staten Island.