<P> During the 19th century , the city was transformed by immigration , a visionary development proposal called the Commissioners ' Plan of 1811 which expanded the city street grid to encompass all of Manhattan , and the opening of the Erie Canal in 1825 , which connected the Atlantic port to the vast agricultural markets of the Midwestern United States and Canada . By 1835 , New York City had surpassed Philadelphia as the largest city in the United States . New York grew as an economic center , first as a result of Alexander Hamilton 's policies and practices as the first Secretary of the Treasury . </P>
<P> During the 19th century , the city was transformed by immigration , a visionary development proposal called the Commissioners ' Plan of 1811 which expanded the city street grid to encompass all of Manhattan , and the opening of the Erie Canal in 1825 , which connected the Atlantic port to the vast agricultural markets of the Midwestern United States and Canada . By 1835 , New York City had surpassed Philadelphia as the largest city in the United States . New York grew as an economic center , first as a result of Alexander Hamilton 's policies and practices as the first Secretary of the Treasury . </P>
when did new york became the largest city
when did new york became the largest city
1835
1835