John Thompson bought the site in 1799. At the time the property was crossed by Sunfish Creek. The origin of the creek lay to the north, where 57th Street just north of Broadway is today, and emptied into the Sun Fish Pond at the foot of the present Park Avenue. It was one of the many watercourses of Manhattan Island which are now completely lost. This stream was joined in the middle of the skyscraper site by another shorter brook, also fed by a spring. The junction of the two brooks formed a natural fishing hole. According to contemporary letters and diaries, many a fine mess of sunfish and eels were hooked at the spot where visitors are now entering the Empire State Building's elevators.
Thompson was the first owner to use the land to make money, which he did by farming. He [L3 401 / sold his property] in 1825.
