Before the "Circle"

Columbus Circle, the first roundabout, was designed by William P. Eno, creator of the stop sign and road safety pioneer. Columbus Circle was included in Olstead's design of Central Park as a grand entryway of what was planned to be one of the largest parks in the world at that time. In the early 1900's, planners hoped for Columbus Circle to be the entertainment center of New York.  By the 1920's, there were theatres, movie houses, and other places for entertainment. Prior to 1905 when the circle was completed, it was buildings such as those as well as office buildings and cafes that helped to shape the area. Since Columbus Circle was intended to be the grand entrance of Central Park, it was important for a subway station to be centered there in order to provide patron with access to the main entry of the park.



Source:

Bookhout, Polly. "Coliseum Park Apartments." n.d. <http://www.coliseumtenantscorp.com/history.html>.