ChromaMetropolis: Colorized Glimpses of Early 1900s New York City
April 23, 2024
Window Washing the Empire State Building in 1936
Take a trip through the streets of early 1900s New York City, where the iconic skyline was just beginning to take shape against the city's urban landscape. Picture the Empire State Building piercing the clouds, the Brooklyn Bridge spanning the East River, and the Statue of Liberty finding its home. But beyond the architectural wonders, the city teemed with life: the aroma of roasted peanuts wafting from street corners and the clang of the newly built subway cars. Here's a look at life in the early 1900s in New York City.
Window washing in the 1930s was not for the faint of heart. Equipped with little more than sturdy ropes, buckets of soapy water, and sheer determination, these workers scaled extreme heights to ensure that every pane of glass was clean. Theirs was a dangerous undertaking as the window washers experienced gusty winds hundreds of feet above the city streets.
Each day, window washers dangled from the building's exterior, using their brushes and squeegees to clean. Theirs was a profession that demanded not only physical agility but also nerves of steel. This photo captures a window washer at work on the Empire State Building as he poses during a brief break from his duties on March 24, 1936.
The Empire State Building Rises Out of the Great Depression, 1931
The construction of the Empire State Building began in 1930 during the Great Depression. The idea for such a monumental structure emerged from a competition among architects to design the tallest building in the world, with the hope of boosting New York City's economy.
Once the plans were finalized, the job of actually erecting the skyscraper fell upon thousands of skilled and unskilled laborers. These workers, many of whom were immigrants or descendants of immigrants, worked tirelessly in harsh conditions and without the help of modern safety equipment. They faced extreme challenges, such as dizzying heights, strong winds, and tight deadlines. Despite these obstacles, their dedication and craftsmanship ensured the successful completion of the building in a remarkable 13 months.
A Part of the Statue of Liberty Displayed in New York City's Madison Square Park
The journey of the Statue of Liberty from France to its current home in New York Harbor is a tale of friendship, collaboration, and symbolism. Designed by the French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, the statue was a gift from the people of France to the United States, commemorating the centennial of American independence.
The statue's construction was a massive undertaking. Its copper exterior was formed using the "repoussé" technique while its internal framework, designed by Alexandre Gustave Eiffel of Eiffel Tower fame, provided structural support. Once completed in France, the statue was dismantled into 350 individual pieces and packed into over 200 crates for transport to America.
Upon arrival in New York in 1885, the statue's components were reassembled on Bedloe's Island (now Liberty Island). However, before its final installation, select parts of the statue, including the torch-bearing arm and head, were displayed in Madison Square Park from 1876 to 1882. This pre-assembly display created a lot of excitement and anticipation among New Yorkers, long before it graced the New York skyline.
Peanut Vendors Sell Roasted Peanuts for Five Cents in NYC, 1945
In 1945 New York City, the sight and sound of peanut vendors were as much a part of the urban landscape as towering skyscrapers and honking taxis. These vendors, with their distinctive carts and savory aromas, were a part of the city's street life.
The history of peanut vendors in NYC dates back to the late 19th century when immigrants, particularly from Eastern Europe and Greece, introduced the tradition of selling roasted peanuts as an affordable snack. What began as a modest sidewalk enterprise soon became a widespread phenomenon, with vendors setting up shop at busy intersections, parks, and sporting events across the city.
These vendors became beloved fixtures in their neighborhoods, offering not only roasted peanuts but also a sense of community and nostalgia. Their distinctive calls of "hot roasted peanuts for five cents!" echoed through the streets, attracting passersby to enjoy a handful of warm, crunchy delights. Beyond satisfying hunger cravings, peanut vendors also provided economic opportunities for immigrant communities, offering a pathway to entrepreneurship and financial stability.
A Horse-Drawn Fire Engine Races to Put Out a Fire in NYC, 1910
Around 1910, New York City firefighters used horse-drawn fire engines to fight fires across the city. The horses, harnessed to red fire wagons, were the unsung heroes of the city's firefighting efforts, racing through crowded streets to put out flames and save lives.
The fire engines, often decorated with brass fittings and wearing the insignia of their respective fire companies, were a sight to see. Pulled by teams of powerful horses, they ran through narrow alleyways and streets while their drivers guided them with expert precision. Eventually, motorized fire engines took over. The last time the fire department in NYC used a horse-drawn fire engine was in 1922.
A Sanctuary of Green From the Urban Chaos of NYC: Central Park, 1933
In 1933, Central Park was a center of green in the middle of the streets and towering skyscrapers of New York City. Established in the mid-19th century, the park offered a peaceful getaway where residents could escape and immerse themselves in nature.
During the Great Depression, Central Park became an important part of New York City. During economic hardship, families could still picnic on lawns and unwind along the park's winding paths or near landmarks, such as Bethesda Terrace and the Bow Bridge.
Central Park also served as a venue for cultural and community events from open-air concerts to art exhibitions. Overall, Central Park's role in 1933 was not just a green space but also a center of the city's social and cultural life.
The Newsboys or "Newsies" Before Delivering Their Newspapers, 1910
In 1910, hardworking newsboys, affectionately known as "Newsies," spread out across New York City delivering newspapers. The boys delivered the latest headlines to doorsteps and street corners.
For many Newsies, the pre-dawn hours were the beginning of a long day as they crisscrossed the city streets on foot or by bicycle, rain or shine, to earn a small income selling newspapers. Despite their young years, these children honed their salesmanship skills and formed tight-knit communities.
However, life as a Newsie was not without its challenges. Many of these children faced exploitation and abuse at the hands of newspaper publishers, who sometimes charged them large fees for their papers or used heavy-handed tactics to enforce sales quotas.
Soldiers and Sailors Get Their Shoes Shined in Times Square, 1943
The shoe shiners at Father Duffy's statue in Times Square were often a group of young boys. With their makeshift shoeshine kits, these boys transformed the mundane task of shoe polishing into an art form, their nimble fingers ensuring a glossy shine. The gathering spot was named after Father Francis Duffy, a World War I chaplain and community figure, and the spot became a focal point for both locals and visitors.
Some servicemen also gathered there, many of whom were far from home. The simple act of getting their shoes shined at Father Duffy's statue was significant as it was a moment of normalcy amidst the war they were about to fight.
A Bridge to Link Manhattan to Brooklyn: The Brooklyn Bridge
In 1904, the Brooklyn Bridge was a symbol of engineering success. The bridge was brought to life by engineer John Augustus Roebling, and it was designed to link Manhattan and Brooklyn, separated by the East River.
Construction of the Brooklyn Bridge began in 1869, employing thousands of workers. Roebling's design, featuring massive granite towers and steel cables, brought in a new era of bridge construction. By the time of its completion in 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge had transformed the landscape of New York City. Its soaring towers and graceful arches became one of New York City's famous landmarks.
In 1904, crowds of pedestrians, horse-drawn carriages, and early automobiles crossed the bridge. The bridge also captured the imagination of artists, writers, and photographers, who immortalized its silhouette against the backdrop of the city skyline.
The Sophisticated Beginnings of the New York Subway in 1910
New York's subway system started in 1904 with the opening of the Interborough Rapid Transit Company's (IRT) line. The subway quickly became the lifeblood of the city, offering fast and efficient transportation beneath the streets.
Uniformed male conductors ensured the smooth operation of the subway system. Dressed in a distinct uniform, these conductors were guides and guardians for passengers going back and forth to work. They helped with the safe and orderly movement of trains, ensuring that each journey was completed with precision and efficiency.
Meanwhile, within the subway cars, men wore suits and fedoras while women wore dresses and hats, reflecting the elegance of early 20th-century fashion. For New Yorkers of the era, the subway was more than just a form of transportation — it was a symbol of progress and modernity.
