One year after New York City approved Olmsted & Vaux's "Greensward Plan" and nearly twenty years before Central Park was completed, John Bachman imagined this birdseye view.

Working from the architectural drawings, Bachman accurately depicted the tree-lined Mall and Bethesda Fountain; and, the lakes, pathways, roadways and transverses. The Park bustles with activity: New Yorkers strolling in mid-nineteenth century garb and riding in horse-drawn carriages.

Today's New Yorkers will note the small, newly planted trees that, a century and a half later, tower above the Park's architectural features and would obscure them from this birdseye view. And the rectangular lower reservoir disappeared in the 1930s to make way for The Great Lawn. Perhaps the most striking difference is just outside the Park: Fifth Avenue and Central Park West have yet to be "settled".

Our Perfect Recreation™ captures every fine detail of this hand-colored lithograph produced circa 1870 by Henry Megary who added a series of charming vignettes along the top and bottom margins. These drawings detail Bethesda Terrace and Fountain, The Bow Bridge, hilltop rustic shelters and other features.