Fifth Avenue Looking South From Madison Square Park

Our photograph was taken around 1905 by the Byron Company (1888-1942), a partnership of Joseph Byron and his son Percy C. Byron.  The Byron’s and their employees took thousands of photographs in and around New York City from the 1880s until the 1940s.

This view looking down Fifth Avenue from between 25th and 26th Street at the edge of Madison Square Park shows the Flatiron Building in the hazy background. From the shadows and pedestrians clothing we can tell it is morning and a somewhat chilly day.

To the right of two men conversing is the obelisk of the Worth Monument. Behind the Worth Monument is The Fifth Avenue Hotel.

The Fifth Avenue Hotel is gone now and in its place is The Fifth Avenue Building. Today, Madison Square Park has no open perimeter along Fifth Avenue, but entranceways, benches, greenery and railing.

The old layout looks more orderly and inviting.

This is what the scene looks like now.