Category Archives: New York

Old New York In Photos #177 – Schiller Monument, Central Park Lake & The Dakota Apartment Building 1891

The Central Park Lake As Seen From The Schiller Monument 1891

We are returning to another unique New York view taken for The Albertype Company in 1891.

Featured is the Central Park Lake. Beyond the lake along Central Park West we see the Dakota Apartment building (left) between 72nd and 73rd Streets. Two blocks away, partially seen is the nearly completed Hotel San Remo between 74th and 75th Streets.

Though it initially appears there are two boys in the photo, there are actually four boys. Here’s a closer look.

The photograph’s location is described as “Lake View From Schiller Statue.”

The Schiller Monument is currently near Central Park’s  Mall opposite the Naumburg Bandshell. This would be a location anachronism as this view of the lake would be nowhere near the mall.

Schiller Monument 1942 photo: Marjory Collins

But, originally the Johann Christoph Friedrich von Schiller monument was placed in The Ramble opposite 76th Street in 1859.

Schiller monument in Ramble c. 1870

Schiller monument (on right) with Lake view

Ask a thousand people visiting Central Park and I would think not one would know who Schiller was. In addition, it is doubtful anyone would know that this was the first sculpture installed in Central Park.

Schiller (1759–1805) was a German historian, naturalist and writer of the plays Wilhelm TellMary Stuart, and Wallenstein. Central Park’s website says “both Schiller’s literary and human rights work were admired at home and abroad”

On the original granite pedestal the following was engraved in German:

SCHILLER
ZUR
HUNDERTJAHRIGEN
GEBURTSTAGSFEIER
DEN 9TH NOVEMBER, 1859
DIE DEUTSCHEN IN NEW YORK

translated:

SCHILLER
ON THE
CENTENARY
BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
ON NOVEMBER 9TH, 1859
THE GERMANS IN NEW YORK

When the monument was moved to its current location in 1954 the original base was replaced with a new inscription.

JOHANN CHRISTOPH FRIEDRICH VON SCHILLER
1759 – 1805
POET
DRAMATIST
HISTORIAN

Old New York In Photos #176 – Park Row 1890

Looking South Along Park Row / Newspaper Row -1890

This Albertype Company photograph was taken from the German language Staats-Zeitung newspaper building at the confluence of Centre Stret and Park Row.

We’re looking south along Park Row at the New York terminus of the Brooklyn Bridge. This busy district was Continue reading

Crime In New York City 1838 & Today

New York City Crimes Committed And Their Sentences 1838

 Jail Time Then – Leniency Now

How many people long for the good old days when it comes to punishing crime?

Some people may lament the lack of strict law enforcement in New York today. There has always been crime in New York, but how has crime and its consequences changed? Continue reading

Old New York In Postcards #30 – Equitable Building Fire

The Equitable Building Burns To The Ground – January 9, 1912

On January 9, 1912, the Equitable Life Assurance Building at 120 Broadway was destroyed in a fire of historic proportions.

In 2012 we covered the 100th anniversary of this historic fire and its consequences. Continue reading

Old New York In Photos #175 – Fifth Avenue From 57th Street

Fifth Avenue Looking North From 57th Street c. 1914

From the Detroit Publishing Company comes this lightly trafficked view of Fifth Avenue. By 1915 horses were being phased out of daily street life and a large portion of the vehicular traffic is motorized. Continue reading

Boyfriend Proposes To His Girl, Then Shoots Her – 1915

Matrimony Or Else

Marriage Proposal Gone Wrong On New York’s Upper East Side

If you imagine that in the good old days courtship always involved proper etiquette, courtesy and social mores you would be mistaken.

While combing through the archives of the New York Tribune we came across this article Continue reading

Old New York In Photos #174 – Times Square 1961

Times Square Movie Ads, The Automat and Other Signs Of the Time

A frozen moment on a sunny winter day in Times Square.

We are looking north from 46th Street to the west side of Broadway. Before looking at the surroundings, check out the tail fins on the passing 1960 Plymouth Savoy automobile heading east.

You may notice the human scale of what Times Square once was. Continue reading

Old New York In Photos #173 – Broadway & 44th St. Vitagraph Theatre -1914

Mr. Barnes Of New York Playing At The Vitagraph Theatre – 1914

This rare postcard view of The Vitagraph Theatre on the east side of Broadway and 44th Street shows the theatre’s marquee with people milling about a horse drawn promotional wagon.

The building opening in 1895 as the Lyric Theatre was part of the Olympia entertainment complex built by Oscar Hammerstein. Continue reading

Old New York In Photos #172 – Broadway From 8th Street 1878

Looking North Along Broadway At Stewart’s Store & Grace Church – c. 1878

Two prominent buildings on the east side of Broadway are the subject of this stereoview photograph taken around 1878: the five-story A.T. Stewart Store and Grace Church.

The view was taken from the western corner of 8th Street and Broadway. Continue reading