Views in New York by Robert Kerr, architect. No. 1, the Custom House, Wall Street viewed from Broad Street

Wall Street in Lower Manhattan is one of the most famous streets in the world, known for its role in the international financial system. Wall Street is the symbolic and geographic center of American capitalism. Geographically, Wall Street is the center of Manhattan's financial district. It runs east/west for eight blocks from Broadway to South Street. The Street ran along a physical wall built by Dutch settlers when New York was still a Dutch Colony. Then-Governor Peter Stuyvesant ordered a 10-foot wooden wall that protected the lower peninsula from the British and Native Americans. It later became a street bazaar where traders met under a now-famous buttonwood tree. New York Stock Exchange is located on 11 Wall Street. History Of The New York Stock Exchange The NYSE was founded 17 May 1792 when 24 stockbrokers signed the Buttonwood Agreement on Wall Street in New York City. Other businesses: The New York Federal Reserve Bank is at 33 Liberty Street, in close proximity to the Stock Exchange. The NASDAQ OMX is on 1 Liberty Place. Goldman Sachs is at 200 West Street, and JPMorgan Chase is at 200 Park Avenue. The NYMEX is at One North End Avenue in the World Financial Center. Wall Street Journal is at 1211 Avenue of the Americas.