Tag Archives: Broadway

Old New York In Photos #190 – Broadway North From Bowling Green 1889

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A View Up Broadway From Bowling Green

This 1889 view of Broadway north from Bowling Green shows the street before skyscraper construction would permanently alter the famous corridor.

We are dating the photograph by the buildings visible and most importantly the presence of overhead telegraph wires.

After the blizzard of 1888 caused wires around the city to come down, a movement to place wires underground began in earnest. Upon taking office in 1889 Mayor Hugh J. Grant immediately set upon removing overhead wires, sending crews with axes to chop down poles if the companies responsible for the wires did not promptly relocate them.

We see pedestrians going about their business as horse drawn vehicles make their way up and down Broadway. Parking does not seem to pose a problem and a wagon advertising  “hams” is making a delivery on the west side of Broadway. Bowling Green’s original 1771 fence is visible in the foreground.

The Buildings

On the right with arched entryway is the nine-story Welles Building at 14-16-18-20 Broadway. Beginning in 1882 the Welles Building became the home of the Petroleum Exchange.

It make sense that adjacent to the Welles Building, in 1885-1886 the Standard Oil Company would build its ten-story 157 foot tall headquarters at 26 Broadway. Continue reading →

A List Of New York City Hotels In 1877

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Visitors Could Stay At These New York City Hotels In 1877

We’ve provided lists like this twice before for New York’s hotels in 1882 and 1964.

This is useful to someone researching or wondering about where the New York City hotels of 1877 were located.

This compilation  comes from The Practical Guide To New York City and Brooklyn by Henry Morford; Union News Company and Lee, Shephard and Dillingham( 1877).

The advertisement for Stevens House from the book shows a rate of $1.00 per day for a single room. Double occupancy at most hotels ran between $1.00 to $2.00.

One thing to take note of is that 38 Continue reading →

Old New York In Photos #189 – The Recently Completed Flatiron Building 1902

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The Innovative Flatiron Skyscraper – Available To Rent 1902

Our photograph is from American Art Views, a view book published September 15, 1903 showing contemporary New York City.

To the right, with a flag on its roof is the six-story Fifth Avenue Hotel (1859-1908). The clock in front of the hotel remains standing today, though the hotel is long gone. On the corner of 24th Street we can glimpse the sign for for “Maillard’s.”

Maillard’s restaurant and confectionery shop was on the ground floor of The Fifth Avenue Hotel.  Continue reading →

Old New York In Photos #184 – View From St. Paul Building

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Looking South From The St. Paul Building c. 1900

This stereoscope view of lower Manhattan was taken from the St. Paul Building at 220 Broadway around 1900.

The development of steel skeleton buildings enabled skyscrapers to be constructed towards the end of the 19th century.

The 25-story St. Paul Building stood at the corner of Broadway and Ann Street. Continue reading →

Classic Hollywood #178 – Mystery Celebrity – When She Was Young

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Can You Name This Character Actress?

Here are four photographs of a Hollywood contract player, several years before she became a well known MGM feature player in many films during the 1930s, 40s and 50s.

She was born on February 24, 1890 as Mary Tomlinson in Acton, Indiana.

Dressed to the nines – circa 1918

Photo via the New York Public Library.  c. 1920s

Photo: Apeda studio possibly from the 1918 play “Yes Or No”

The next photo should give it away.

With actor Billy Bevan in The Wrong Road (1937)

Do you have it yet?

Yes, it’s the star of a dozen Ma and Pa Kettle movies, Marjorie Main.

Usually thought of as plain and matronly, Marjorie was attractive enough Continue reading →

Old New York In Postcards #30 – Equitable Building Fire

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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 #174 – Times Square 1961

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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

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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 →