Indian Paths in the Great Metropolis
Scattered references to these native paths in historical records afford the names and 15 INDIAN PATHS directions of only a few of the many which must have existed But within the boundaries of the great city of New York some of its thoroughfares are traversed today by millions, who little comprehend that their lines of travel were decided, and their convenience in distance and grade anticipated, by the patient art of the wild men.
Taking advantage of every favorable contour, avoiding every disadvantageous obstacle, the Indian sought his way through the wild woodlands to or from a desired point, and, followed by succeeding generations, his prehistoric trail became a welldefined and "trodden path," by which name the earliest settlers recognized its developed condition. Such paths were often deeply sunken by long-continued usage.
They were narrow, suited to the characteristic native manner of placing one foot in front of the other, as they traveled in single file.