Seaman-Drake Arch

The Seaman-Drake Arch is a marble gateway located at West 216th Street in Inwood, Manhattan. The structure stands partially hidden behind modern commercial buildings and is partly used for storage by a neighboring business.

The arch was built in 1855 as the grand entrance to a large estate owned by the Seaman family on a hilltop property. The mansion was later demolished, but this marble gateway survived.

The structure was built from marble extracted locally in Inwood, the same stone used for major buildings across New York. It shows how wealthy families shaped their neighborhoods by leaving lasting architectural marks.

The arch is located on a busy street and easy to reach by walking around the neighborhood. The best time to visit is early morning or late afternoon when foot traffic is lighter.

The marble used in the arch came from quarries once operated in Inwood itself, making it a rare survivor of the neighborhood's stone mining industry. Few people realize this gateway contains stone mined just steps away from where it still stands.

GPS coordinates: 40.87060,-73.91530

Latest update: December 10, 2025 16:22