Category Archives: Old New York In Photos

Series: Old New York In Photos

Old New York In Photos #170 – Wallack’s Theatre 1870

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Wallack’s Theatre Broadway & 13th Street – c.1870

This stereoview shows Lester Wallack’s Theatre located at 844 Broadway on the northeast corner of 13th Street.

Lester Wallack (1820-1888) is known today only by theater historians. But in the nineteenth century Wallack was among the most famous producer’s, director’s and actor’s in the world.

Wallack’s Theater was run by James and his son Lester Wallack. Over the years there were a few addresses associated with the impresarios, but the most notable location was 844 Broadway. The land and building was owned by Wallack’s partner, William Gibson whose name is emblazoned in large letters on the frieze near the roof. Gibson was a dealer in glass architectural and decorative fittings. Continue reading →

Old New York In Photos #169 – Elevated Train 1872

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An Early Elevated Train In New York 1872

This magic lantern slide came with absolutely no identifying information.

What can you glean from the photograph?

This early boxy type engine runs on steam and is named “Kingsbridge.” It is almost certainly named after the Bronx neighborhood. Many of the early engines had names like “Brooklyn” and “Spuyten Duyvil.”
Continue reading →

Old New York In Photos #168 – New York’s Waterfront 1898

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New York City Skyline, Waterfront & Staten Island Ferry 1898

From an approaching boat we see a busy waterfront and the budding skyline of lower Manhattan. Our photo comes from the Detroit Publishing Company archive.

The ship the photographer is aboard is pulling in, and the ferry Stapleton is about to head to Staten Island. Other boats with passengers are docked at their moorings.

The most notable building Continue reading →

Old New York In Photos #167 – Madison Square

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Madison Square Garden & Park circa 1900

This magic lantern slide shows Madison Square Park looking north and east from 23rd Street. All the vehicles seen in the photo are horse drawn and the surrounding buildings give us a clue to a date of 1900. Continue reading →

Old New York In Photos #166 – St. Paul’s Chapel & Broadway

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Broadway With St. Paul’s Chapel On A Busy Day c. 1920

St. Paul's Church photo: Keystone-Mast Collection, UCR/California Museum of Photography, University of California at Riverside

St. Paul’s Chapel and Broadway. photo: Keystone-Mast Collection, UCR/California Museum of Photography, University of California at Riverside

If the clock on the tower of St. Paul’s Chapel is accurate, it is a couple of minutes before noon on a weekday. Looking at the pedestrians shadows, the clock is probably correct. Hundreds of people stream by Fulton Street while a trolley is coming down Broadway. One thing you might notice besides the fashion of the day, with many men wearing light-colored straw hats, is that there are few women present. One hundred years ago, the central business area around Wall Street was still the domain of a predominantly male working force.

Here is the same scene taken seconds apart with a tighter focus. The policeman directing traffic can now be clearly seen.

St Paul's Church and Broadway circa 1920 photo: Keystone-Mast Collection, UCR/California Museum of Photography, University of California at Riverside

The 30 foot obelisk Continue reading →

Old New York In Photos #165 – Broadway & 40th St. 1913

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East Side of Broadway & 40th Street 1913

A Story Of Three Buildings On The Main Stem

This photograph taken by William Roege can be narrowed down to the autumn of 1913. Though photographer Roege engraved the year within the photo, he did not write an exact date.

The Empire Theater

We are looking at the east side of Broadway at 40th Street and the main clue to the time of year is the Empire Theater marquee which announces the appearance of actor John Drew.

John Drew

Drew was one of the turn-of-the-century’s big stage stars and the uncle of actors John, Lionel and Ethel Barrymore. Continue reading →

Old New York In Photos #164 – Elevated Curve At 110th Street

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The Ninth Avenue Elevated Curve At 110th Street c. 1880

The Ninth Avenue Elevated train tracks took a dramatic “S” turn at 110th Street to continue along Eighth Avenue. This part of the El system were very elevated, at certain points rising 100 feet above street level. Because of its phenomenal height Continue reading →

Old New York In Photos #163 – The Financial District During An Air Raid Test

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Pedestrians Scatter As President Eisenhower Runs An Air Raid Test In New York – 1957

My mother and father tell of practicing “duck and cover” in school.

The drill was to supposedly protect oneself from a nuclear bomb. As if crouching under a desk would have done anything to shield you from an atomic blast. Continue reading →

Old New York In Photos #160 – 38th Street Between 11th & 12th Avenues

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An Area Surrounded By Change, 38th Street Off 11th Avenue – 1934

This photograph taken by Percy Loomis Sperr on August 31, 1934 shows a mostly desolate section of the west side of Manhattan. 38th Street between 11th and 12th Avenues has still not been absorbed by the Hudson Yards building boom.

There has been great change, but there are many vacant lots and Incredibly nearly 90 years later, Continue reading →