Page:Historic towns of the middle states (IA historictownsofm02powe).pdf/235

 little way into the present century, having then been used for over a hundred years for commercial purposes.

STAINED-GLASS WINDOW IN "BOWLING GREEN OFFICES."

SHOWING GREEN ABOUT 1760.

Chief among the few other survivals from the early days, and antedating all of them, is Bowling Green. This oldest bit of park land in the city dates from the Dutch occupation. It lay immediately in front of the Fort, and no building has ever stood upon its diminutive, oblong site. The relatively old row of buildings (Steamship Row) which overlooks it from the south will ere long be replaced by a Custom House worthy of the second port of entry in the world. This will occupy the site of the old government house, which once served the purpose for which the new building is designed. In 1771, it was found advisable