By Gus Saltonstall
At Riverside South, in the park area near West 62nd Street, a pedestrian bridge stretches along the Hudson River connecting Solstice Bench and Locomotive Lawn.
While most walkers and joggers traversing the bridge probably focus on the views of the river, anyone who chooses to look down will quickly discover a mystery. There, etched in the concrete walkway, are the words RYE RYE RYE RYE.
And: MANITOBA, CANADA.
Also: NO. 1 HARD NO. 1 HARD NO.1 HARD NO. 1 HARD and NEW YORK CENTRAL & HUDSON RAILROAD
In fact for the entire span of the bridge, seemingly random phrases are etched into the walkway:
- DOUGLAS COUNTY, NEBRASKA
- LAKE AND RAIL ELEVATOR BUFFALO NY
- PEAVY GRAIN COMPANY
- ERIE CANAL ERIE CANAL
- OLMSTED MINNESOTA
- UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD
“I’ve never been able to figure out the rationale or pattern, other than they all have something to do with the railroad or railroad commerce in some way,” Upper West Sider Peter Litman wrote to West Side Rag, wondering if we had an answer. “I’ve spent way too much time thinking about it over the last few years.”
The Rag reached out to the city’s Parks Department to see if we could get more information on the mysterious words. As Litman suspected, the words do pay homage to the former New York Central Railroad.
“The names represent possible commodities that might have been transported to NYC, through NYC to overseas destinations, or from locations where they originated, as well as the companies engaged in that trade,” a parks spokesperson told the Rag. “This is part of an homage to the 60th Street Yard, on which Riverside Park South and the Riverside South Development are built.”
For more than 100 years, New York Central Railroad’s 60th Street Yard was the primary import, export, and classification area for Manhattan’s lone all-freight train line. At the 60th Street Yard, the rail line operated bulk cargo piers and transfer bridges that enabled freight cars to be rolled on and off barges across the Hudson River.
The 60th Street Yard was abandoned in 1976 shortly after a merger between the New York Central Railroad and the Pennsylvania Railroad, and a subsequent bankruptcy. You can read more about its history — HERE.
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I can’t remember the last time I was back there. Maybe 30 years ago. Worth another visit in the warm weather.
That’s a locomotive, not a train car.
If you look closely at that stone formation in the picture you will see cacti. These cacti have been there for many years and I like to observe these plants when I go for my runs along the water.
I’ve often wondered who planted these cacti on these stones and how the cacti survive the cold winters.
I guess cacti are hardy and adaptive.
My brother is a Landscape Architect and he noticed this right away when I showed him Riverside park – he let me know that this species of Prickly Pear is actually native to the North East! A smart planter indeed.
Certain cacti are cold hardy, someone probably chose the right variety!
Place was packed last Saturday LOL
Good investigative reporting, Gus. I’m glad these “artifacts” have been preserved in stone, so to speak. The past informs the present.
Omg. I have been wondering this ever since I moved to the UWS. The words are eroding away and I thought it would be a mystery forever. Thanks!
I think some of the historical explainer plaques around the various piers and locomotive and old industrial relics explain some of this too. But if you have family from the Midwest and any grain milling or related trades in your background, the names of grains, harvests, mills, railroads and destinations are like a history map of words you’ve heard…I love that bridge and the poetry of that feature! Thanks for the reminder.
Very interesting article and so important to preserve the past and its memories.
Thanks for this! I always wondered.
These etchings, and the (much more visible) infrastructure and equipment, are a significant piece of what makes Riverside Park a genuinely world-class outdoor space.
When you also consider the abundant events, Pier i Cafe, the art installations, etc., it’s way better than it needs to be, given that it’s on the waterfront, but I’m not complaining. Lovely post.
Thank you finally mystery solved
Gus – you continue to shine as a shoe-leather guy (in a nylon-mesh world.) Thanks for continuing to bring our city to life and humanize us all.
Cool!
As always, great investigative reporting Gus. I love how you always show us the odd details and new sights in the ground we tread each day! Keep up the great work!!