The Croton Distributing Reservoir, also known as the Murray Hill Reservoir, was an above-ground reservoir at 42nd Street and Fifth Avenue in the New York City borough of Manhattan. Covering 4 acres (16,000 m2) and holding 20 million US gallons (76,000 m3), it supplied the city with drinking water during the 19th century. Its massive 50-foot-high (15 m) granite walls, which presented a vaguely Egyptian-style facade, were 25 feet (7.6 m) thick. Atop the walls was a public promenade offering panoramic views; Edgar Allan Poe enjoyed walking there.