when dutch people first came to manhattan, there were three small streams. they came together near what is now 10th avenue and 40th street. these three streams were part of a big stream called the "great kill" (dutch: "grote kill"). from there the great kill went through the low-lying reed valley, known for fish and other water animals. its end was a deep bay in the hudson river at present-day 42nd street. people lived in a small area named great kill, where carriages were made. the higher land to the south and east was called longacre.