Before Central Park

This book offers a comprehensive history of the land that became Central Park, tracing its transformation over two and a half centuries from early Indigenous use to its development as America's first major urban park. Sara Cedar Miller explores the diverse communities and individuals who shaped the land, including settlers, landowners, and protesters, as well as notable events and changes along the way. Rich in stories of political, social, and cultural significance, the narrative reveals how early American history is embedded in the park’s landscape.