Bushman Steps in Manhattan, New York City, can be found at Edgecombe Avenue and West 157th Street.
While Manhattan is not normally thought of as hilly, there are still sections on the island that still retain its hills. This results in various “step streets” where steps provide connections for those making their way to and fro.
Bushman Steps: Step Streets of NYC
Bushman Steps is one example of these step streets.
Bushman Steps only has 30 steps and connects Edgecome to 157th Street.
It hold particular significance because of its associations with the Polo Grounds.
The Bushman Steps were once used by sports fans to access the old Polo Grounds baseball diamond. Thousands of spectators enjoyed free baseball games, boxing matches, and football games as they crossed Coogan’s Bluff’s steps.
In the past, fans could purchase tickets to see athletes like Jack Dempsey (1895-1983), Sugar Ray Robinson (1921-1989), and Babe Ruth (1895-1948). They would climb up these stairs to get to the ticket booth.
Unfortunately, the stadium was demolished in 1964. In its place, the Polo Grounds Towers housing development was constructed.
The steps were purchased by the City in 1934. Plants, trees, and shrubs are present in the landscaped area enclosed by the wrought iron fence at the Bushman Steps.
The 157th Street subway station is now accessible via the Bushman Steps.
The steps are framed by the two buildings to its side.
You may even come across some people exercising on the Bushman Steps, making their way up and down the incline.
