Tag Archives: Fifth Avenue

Old New York In Photos #182 – Fifth Avenue & Madison Square 1905

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. Continue reading

Women’s Corsets, Bras, Underwear, Silk Petticoats And Bodices -1919

Undergarments For Women From James McCreery & Co. 1919

The two illustrations seen here are excerpts from a full page ad. This advertisement comes from the April 27, 1919 New York Sun daily newspaper. Shown is an array of intimates of the late teens that a fashionable woman would wear beneath their clothes.

The uptown location of James McCreery & Co. at Fifth Avenue and 34th Street Continue reading

Hotel Brunswick & Windsor Hotel Fifth Avenue – 1891

A Typical Day On Fifth Avenue -1891

Here are two views of Fifth Avenue from the 1891 book History And Commerce Of New York (American Publishing and Engraving).

In our first illustration above we are looking north along Fifth Avenue towards The Hotel Brunswick (with flag on the roof) at the corner of 26th Street.

The second illustration below, 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

Old New York In Postcards #29 – New York Mounted Police 1905

The Mystery Location Of The Mounted Police Unit

Looking at this postcard of New York’s finest on horses my first thought was: where is this?

The postcard itself holds few clues unless you are an expert in recognizing mundane landmarks from 120 years ago. The card shows some buildings and the mounted police.

But there was a way to find out by taking a closer look.

Because this postcard was put out by the Detroit Publishing Company in 1905, there might be an original photograph held by the Library of Congress where much of the company’s archive resides. A search provided a clear match. And from that photograph the location could be pinpointed.

The most important clues Continue reading

July 4, 1918 New York City & A Parade To Unite Americans

July 4, 1918 When Patriotism Was On Full Display

Greatest July 4th Parade In History of U.S., Held On Fifth Avenue
General view of the great parade proceeding up Fifth Avenue, New York City. photo: Underwood & Underwood July, 4, 1918

There was a time when July 4 did not mean merchandise sales, and a three or four day weekend with barbecues. Continue reading

Old New York In Photos #167 – Madison Square

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 #161 – Broadway & 23rd Street Circa 1897

23rd Street At Broadway & Fifth Avenue With No Flatiron Building

This scene shows the cowcatcher intersection at 23rd Street where Fifth Avenue and Broadway intersect.

Our photograph is from about 1897, before the famous Flatiron Building was constructed in 1902. Continue reading

Old New York In Photos #154 – 1920, New Traffic Tower On 42nd St. & 5th Ave

Fifth Avenue & 42nd Street With New Traffic Signal Tower 1920

This amateur snapshot captures the manually operated signal tower to control traffic along the busy stretch of Fifth Avenue at 42nd Street. We are looking north from 42nd Street with Temple Emanu El beyond the flags.

The tower was active in February 1920 to “control congestion,” not just for vehicles but pedestrians. Continue reading