World Trade Center prior to 9/11 New York City.com : Profile

Arts & Attractions World Trade Center prior to 9/11

The World Trade Center was destroyed by a terrorist attack on September 11, 2001. We maintain this page as a testament to its place in New York City's history, and in memory of all those who suffered and who lost their lives. For information about Ground Zero, please click here and for information about the National September 11 Memorial & Museum click here. We have additional pages about the new 7 World Trade Center and under-construction 1 World Trade Center, which is also known as the Freedom Tower. Following is our original description of the World Trade Center:With a wide-open plaza between them, the Twin Towers have been an impressive tourist attraction since 1975 as well as a daily workplace for 50,000 people. An additional 200,000 people enter the World Trade Center every day, which includes those who come to ride the two express elevators up to the observatory on the 107th floor. The views, particularly of the nearby harbor, New York skyline, and Statue of Liberty are spectacular. Also of note is the World Financial Center next door, which has a stunning glass-enclosed atrium as well as boat launch outside on the Hudson River. Special events and dozens of stores and r... more

Following is our original description of the World Trade Center:

With a wide-open plaza between them, the Twin Towers have been an impressive tourist attraction since 1975 as well as a daily workplace for 50,000 people. An additional 200,000 people enter the World Trade Center every day, which includes those who come to ride the two express elevators up to the observatory on the 107th floor. The views, particularly of the nearby harbor, New York skyline, and Statue of Liberty are spectacular. Also of note is the World Financial Center next door, which has a stunning glass-enclosed atrium as well as boat launch outside on the Hudson River. Special events and dozens of stores and restaurants can be found in the entire complex.

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Financial District Description

World Trade Center prior to 9/11 is located in the Financial District neighborhood of Manhattan. The financial hub of the United States, the seat of New York City government, and home to some of New York's oldest buildings, the Financial District has an illustrious history. 17th century settlers began building here, and given the many seafarers of the time, boats could be conveniently docked at one of the slips right near the settlements of wooden homes. Right nearby, in the heart of the district is Federal Hall, where George Washington was inaugurated as the first President of the United States in 1789, also the meeting site for the First Congress. New York City was both the capital of the United States and New York State at the time.

The street names reflect the district's fascinating history: Fulton Street, named after Robert Fulton, the inventor of the steamboat; Maiden Lane, originally called Magde Platje in Dutch; Beaver Street, recalling the once-significant beaver pelt trade, etc.

The area today houses some great economic powerhouses, including the headquarters of major banks, the New York Stock Exchange, in addition to the World Financial Center. Contrasts are extraordinary, from old two- and three-story old brick buildings near South Street Seaport to the nearby modern mega-skyscrapers. Some of the numerous other attractions include Fraunces Tavern, where George Washington bid farewell to his troops (also, they have a museum!); the newly-landscaped City Hall Park; the Museum of the American Indian and the US Custom House at Bowling Green; Trinity Church, the first parish church in New York City and the resting place of Alexander Hamilton and Robert Fulton, among others; War Of 1812 strong hold Castle Clinton; the Staten Island-bound South Ferry; Battery Park; and the Federal Reserve Bank. Sadly, the biggest attraction since 9/11 has been the former World Trade Center site, although, thankfully, construction has finally filled the long-standing gouge in Lower Manhattan's face, and the stunning 9/11 Memorial and its attendant museum are welcome signs of a healing city. And, of course, soaring a symbolic 1,776 feet over the memorial is the new 1 World Trade Center!

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World Trade Center prior to 9/11

Financial District Description

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