McGowan's Pass

40°47′36″N 73°57′18″W / 40.79333°N 73.95500°W / 40.79333; -73.95500

Notable buildings and structures of Central Park. Click on the map and then on the points for details.

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McGowan's Pass (sometimes spelled "McGown's") is a topographical feature of Central Park in New York City, just west of Fifth Avenue and north of 102nd Street. It pre-dates the park, and was incorporated into the park's East Drive in the early 1860s, during the park's creation.^[1] A steep hill descending into a switchback road, it is a popular training route for competitive bicyclists and runners.

Although the name is usually omitted from maps today, McGowan's Pass was clearly marked on charts of the region from the Revolutionary War until the early 20th century. It acquired its name from the McGowan or McGown family who kept a tavern near there from 1756 through the Revolutionary period, and owned the surrounding property until the 1840s. The area was incorporated into Central Park after 1860, when the park's boundaries were extended north from the line of 106th Street to 110th Street, and the Harlem Meer was built in the park's northeast corner.