Between the years 1822 and 1825 that northern square was the Potter's Field.

Then, on October 14, 1842, the massive Reservoir, which remained to see almost the dawn of the twentieth century, was opened with impressive ceremonies.

The distributing reservoir of the Croton Water system, it occupied more than four acres, and was divided into two basins by a partition wall.

The enclosing walls, constructed of granite, were about forty-five feet high.

This vast structure, resembling an Egyptian temple, contained twenty million gallons of water.