New York State Architect Rendering of Barge Canal Terminal 93

The designation "93" refers to North River (Hudson River) Pier 93. In the State records, the terminal is referred to as the West 53rd Street Terminal just north of where the USS Intrepid Museum is presently located. The construction of the terminal went through several stages, documented in several Barge Canal terminal contracts. The pier was built under Terminal Contract 38 (1917). The freight shed at the water end was built under Terminal Contract 218 (1919). The headhouse (prominently shown in the rendering) was constructed under Terminal Contract 225 (1919) with the intervening shed coming a few years later with Terminal Contract 233 (1922). The complex as depicted in the rendering remained at least until 1951.

The name "Pilcher" refers to Lewis Pilcher (1871-1941), State Architect. Pilcher was appointed in 1913 and did the designs for many State facilities such as prisons, state hospitals, armories, and the Washington bath at Saratoga Springs. Barge Canal Terminal 93 was probably one of his last projects as there was a new State Architect in 1923. In private practice he also did notable work such as at Vassar College.

Approval for the construction of terminals was enacted in the Laws of 1911, Chapter 746; Section One states "The words 'terminal' and 'terminals' as used in this act shall mean and include lands, docks, dockwalls, bulkheads, wharves, piers, slips, basins, harbors, structures, tracks, facilities and equipment for loading and unloading and temporarily storing freight transported upon the Barge Canals of this state." The Canal Board was designated as the supreme governing body for terminals, the State Engineer was to make plans and supervise construction, and the Superintendent of Public Works was to operate and maintain terminals after their completion.

This series consists of one architectural rendering depicting the Barge Canal Terminal 93 exterior and including visualization of commercial details such as wagons and horses, trucks, carts, workers, and canal boats. Media seems to be graphite and gauche and/or watercolor on illustration board.

The rendering measures approximately 30" x 40" including frame. A plaque attached to the frame faintly bears the inscription "Barge Canal Terminal, [……] Pilcher, Architect." The inscriptions "Pilcher, designer" and "J. Floyd Yewell" also appear in the rendering.

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