FUN WITH MAPS – ISSUE 2022-081 DAILY FEATURE:

By Steve Kovacs (Introduction by Chuck Gibson)

LOVELAND, OH (May 6, 2022) – In Issue 2022-081 of Steve Kovacs Fun with Maps, we learn about the guy who purchased Manhattan. Yes, that happened.

THE CITY THAT DOESN’T SLEEP

Frank Sinatra’s famous song about New York, New York was in part enabled by Peter Minuit.

The Dutchman Minuit was the third governor of New Netherland and later of New Sweden, both on the US east coast.  Minuit is credited for purchasing Manhattan island from the Native Americans on May 6, 1626, for 60 guilders, or about $1200 in today’s currency. 

He probably didn’t think that the purchase of the then heavily wooded island was a super good deal, but today his purchase price would pay for only about nine days’ worth of rent of an average size apartment in the City.

Here is Mitchell’s 1878 map of New York City.

Steve Kovacs and his wife Theresa reside in Loveland, Ohio where they raised their two children. He is a passionate collector of antique maps.

Visit his antique map boutique world-on-paper online. Watch for his daily feature Steve Kovacs: Antique Maps & Fun Facts here on Loveland Beacon.