From the
History of the New York Police Department During the twenty years subsequent to the granting of Montgomeries Charter, the
city advanced considerably in its municipal affairs. A poor-house and watch-house were built, fire engines were imported,
and a Fire Department was permanently established. It was resolved (July 9, 1731), "to build a
watch-house forthwith," on the south side of the cage in Broad street, and a committee of Aldermen was appointed to effect
the necessary preliminary arrangements. On the twenty-sixth of the following month the committee submitted their report, which
was adopted. Their report set forth that the said watch-house "ought to be twenty-eight feet long and eighteen feet broad,
with two rooms, one of them eighteen feet long and the other ten feet, with a fire place in each room, with two door to the
southeast corner thereof and to the south, and the other to the east side of the said corner, with three lights in the large
room, and one small ditto in the small room." The entire expense of which, according to computation, was to amount to
about £60. This watch-house stood until 1789, when it became so dilapidated that its removal became necessary, and a
new one was erected.
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