The Central Park Boathouse
Did you know that this is the third iteration of the famous Central Park boathouse?
I run by the Central Park Boathouse numerous times a week and like many New Yorkers (and out-of-towners) I think that Central Park wouldn’t be the same without it. It’s the park’s only fully functioning restaurant (Tavern on the Green kinda counts I guess) and having a drink or meal there provides a serene, picturesque scene of The Lake and its row boaters. We recently got the good news that it’s reopening after a brief shutdown!
The story begins around 150 years ago.
The boathouse in 1908 - Photo: Museum of the City of New York
In the 1870’s Calvert Vaux (one of Central Park’s co-creators) designed a 12 by 20 foot wooden boathouse. It had two second story canopy areas where park goers could take in views of the lake. Just like today’s boathouse, you could also pay for a ride in a row boat.
A postcard from 1895 - Photo: NYPL Digital Archives
A view of the boathouse from The Ladies Pavilion in 1915 - Photo: Museum of the City of New York
Based on the above photograph, I believe that the original boathouse sat just opposite The Ladies Pavilion! Who knew?!
Where the original boathouse stood, as deduced by Chris Baker.
By 1924 Calvert Vaux’s boathouse was falling apart. It was replaced by a rustic structure that has very few photos or documentation. I was happy to find this image from a Parks archive.
The second iteration of the boathouse in 1927 - Photo: NYC Parks Archive
In the 1950’s local Upper East siders Carl and Adeline Loeb donated $305,000 to have a new boathouse built. The Loeb Boathouse officially opened on March 12, 1954. Unfortunately Adeline Loeb passed away a few months prior to seeing her beautiful creation open.
The Loeb Boathouse opening ceremony in 1954. - Photo: NYC Parks Archive
Loeb Boathouse - Photo: NYC Parks Archive
Loeb Boathouse - Photo: Chris Baker
Bethesda Terrace & Loeb Boathouse - Photo: Chris Baker
Today, the Loeb Boathouse is still just as picturesque as it was back in 1954, although its hard to tell what color the lake was back then. It's one of the few places in the center of the park to find food and drink as well as shelter from the elements.
Pro tip: For a more unique angle, take the dirt path to the right of the cafe and as it winds around you'll find a large rock outcropping which makes for some great photography.
