Category Archives: New York

Dramatic Images Of The Windsor Hotel Fire & Collapse – 1899

A New York St. Patrick’s Day Tragedy

More Than 80 People Die At The Windsor Hotel Fire

Windsor Hotel Fire, March 17, 1899. Showing collapse of roof water tower during blaze. photographer: unknown

As thousands of New Yorkers were celebrating the St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Friday, March 17, 1899, the Windsor Hotel on the east side of Fifth Avenue between 46th and 47th Streets caught fire. The inferno Continue reading

Old New York In Photos #150 – 5th Avenue & 42nd Street c. 1875

Looking North On Fifth Avenue From 42nd Street c. 1875

We are looking north along Fifth Avenue to the east side of 42nd Street.

When looking at these stereoviews it’s always nice to pin a date on the scene. While it is impossible to exactly date this stereoview, it is definitely before 1881.

During the 1870s, the nearest building at the northeast corner of 42nd Street, number 503 Fifth Avenue belonged to Levi P Morton, Vice President of the United States from 1889 – 1893 and Governor of New York from 1895-1896. Continue reading

Old New York In Photos #149 – East River & Brooklyn Bridge In Color 1895

The Brooklyn Bridge, Ships, And Buildings Along The East River c. 1895

This vintage color magic lantern slide shows the low profile of New York along the waterfront in the 1890s. We’re looking north along the East River with the Brooklyn Bridge being the focal point of the photograph. Continue reading

Soaring New York Real Estate Values From 1790 To 1889

The Escalation Of New York Real Estate Over A Century

Properties Priced For Thousands In 1790 & Their Steady Climb In Value Through 1889

The McComb Mansion At Broadway New York’s Finest Home in 1790 & The Residence Of President George Washington

Currently what does $250 million buy for you in New York City? The asking price is not for an entire block, apartment complex, building or townhouse.

It is the price for the most expensive home in the city; a 17,565 square foot seven bedroom penthouse apartment at Central Park Tower 217 West 57th Street.

In an 1889 Harper’s Weekly article, Scott Thompson delved into the early days of Manhattan real estate. In 1790 most of the homes, the farms and Continue reading

Old New York In Photos #147 – Aerial View of Manhattan from Chambers Street 1903

Looking North Along Centre Street From Chambers Street 1903

This stereoview shows lower Manhattan looking north from Chambers Street, circa 1903. The main boulevard on the right is Centre Street. Continue reading

Old New York In Photos #146 – The Plaza Hotel With Interior Views 1909

The New Plaza Hotel And The Suite Of John W. “Bet A Million” Gates- 1909

This real photo postcard by Thaddeus Wilkerson shows the new Plaza Hotel. The hotel towers above its neighbors offering its guests terrific views of the city and the park. We are looking southwest from the Hotel Netherland on 60th Street and Fifth Avenue. The southern boundary of Central Park at 59th Street is on the right and on the extreme left is a portion of the Vanderbilt mansion on Fifth Ave and 58th Street.

The original Plaza Hotel on the same site was opened in 1890 and demolished in 1905.  The new Henry Hardenbergh designed Plaza Hotel was much larger than its predecessor.

The original estimate to buy the site, raze the old hotel and build the new hotel was Continue reading

Old New York In Photos #144 – Election Night Times Square 1934

Crowds Watching Election Night Results In Times Square 1934

Election Night At Crossroads Of The World
In keeping with the tradition Times Square was jammed until traffic was halted, as crowds watched election returns. Photo shows part of the crowd at Times Square, election night. Photo: Acme 11/6/1934

For entertainment in 1934 you could go to the Loew’s State Theater and see Mae West in Belle of the Nineties.

Or on the night of November 6 you could entertain yourself by standing in the street. Continue reading