Description
Louis F. Haffen (1854-1935) had a major impact on shaping the development of the Bronx. After receiving degrees in civil engineering and law, he became Parks Superintendent and then Commissioner of the Department of Street Improvements for the West Bronx until his election as the first Bronx borough president when the New York City boroughs were created in 1898. He was one of the planners of the Grand Concourse and other parkways, and oversaw their completion as well as the building of bridges over the Bronx River during his administration. Haffen was removed from office in 1910 by the Governor of New York on what many historians view as trumped up charges of corruption designed to diminish the power of the borough presidents. However, he continued in public service as a civil engineer and as a delegate to the state’s Constitutional Convention in 1915. The Bronx’s Haffen Park is named for him. Haffen, Josiah A. Briggs and James L. Wells later collaborated on The Bronx and Its People 1609-1927 (1927), a four-volume history.
Robert A. Welcke was a New York City lithography firm that produced other maps, including panoramas.
Condition: Generally very good with the usual light overall toning, wear, soft creases. Mounted on linen as issued.
References:
“Birds eye view of that portion of the 23rd and 24th wards…” Panoramic Maps 1847-1929, American Memory, Library of Congress. http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/gmdhtml/pmmapAuthors03.html under “William W. Klein.” (6 January 2005).
“Haffen Park.” New York City Department of Parks & Recreation. 1999. http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_your_park/historical_signs/hs_historical_sign.php?id=11159 (6 January 2005).
Hébert, John R., ed., rev. by Patrick E. Dempsey. Panoramic Maps of Cities in the United States and Canada. 2nd ed. Washington, D.C.: Library of Congress, 1984. Item 540, p. 85.
Ultan, Lloyd. “The Bronx in History: The First Borough President.” Bronx Press Review. 8 January 1998. http://www.bronxpress.com/1_8_98history.html (6 January 2005).
