Time-Travel Through New York City's Glorious Past With These 40 Vintage Photos

Leona Martinez
Oct 28, 2023
Oct 28, 2023

Old photos have a unique power, don't they? They have the magical ability to whisk us away to another era, flooding our senses with bittersweet nostalgia. Each image can stir emotions and tell stories, even if we're not in the frame.

Today, we invite you to embark on a virtual journey back in time through the remarkable vintage photo collection we've stumbled upon. These pictures come from the New York City-Vintage History Facebook group, where history lovers and nostalgia enthusiasts gather to reminisce about the city's rich history.

Just like opening an old photo album, these images will let you experience the charm of New York City in the past.

So, let's dive in and explore the city's history, one captivating photo at a time!

#1. Mott Street In New York City's Chinatown, 1900. (colorized)

Source: At that time New York

#2. Brooklyn Bridge under construction, 1880

Source: History Magazine

#3. 1910 Bx. E149th St. and 3rd Ave

Source: Francis Nonnenmacher

#4. New York, 1920

Source: Ziv Dotan

#5. 5th Ave and 56th Street facing north towards the Vanderbilt House, Plaza Hotel, and entrance to Central Park (1910)

Source: John Tee

#6. The Upper West Side Circa 1906. "New York, N.Y. -- Broadway, North from 70th Street"

Source: Inma Zabalza

#7. New York World Building, New York City, New York, USA, early 20th century

Source: Inma Zabalza

#8. A Peek down Maiden Lane in Lower Manhattan in 1891

Source: J.A. Harris

"During the 1600s, there used to be a stream here where the young Maidens of New Amsterdam washed clothes."

#9. Croton reservoir on 42nd street and 5th avenue ca. 1860 where the New York public library is today

Source: Frank T Cadicamo

"The reservoir was functional from 1842 until it was demolished in the 1890s."

#10. Bleeker and Christopher Streets, nearly a century apart

Bleeker and Christopher Streets, nearly a century apart, give or take a step or two.

Source: Alan C. Schwartz

#11. An Electric Automobile being Charged in NYC in 1911

Source: J.A. Harris

#12. Jefferson Market Courthouse, New York, 1905

Source: Ziv Dotan

#13. New York 1905. 42nd Street en Park Avenue

Source: Inma Zabalza

#14. Cornelius Vanderbilt II 1883 mansion

Source: Joe Ross

"Starting in the 1850s New York City's elite started lining Central Park with some of the largest mansions you have ever seen. 5th Avenue became the premiere place to live with massive names like Astor, Vanderbilt, and Livingston moving in.

Pictured below is Cornelius Vanderbilt II 1883 mansion. Like much of Manhattan's Victorian millionaire's row, this mansion was demolished to make way for progress."

#15. Toll gate constructed by the Brooklyn, Flatbush and Jamaica Plank Road Company

Source: Frank T Cadicamo

"I found this 1895 photo very interesting. It is a toll gate constructed by the Brooklyn, Flatbush, and Jamaica Plank Road Company.

It was located on Jamaica Avenue and Hemlock Street by the Queens border to collect tolls crossing the border. It was demolished in 1897, the year before Brooklyn was incorporated into NY City in 1898."

#16. Bethesda Fountain, Central Park, New York, USA, c1900

Source: Inma Zabalza

#17. Here is NYC Police Commissioner Teddy Roosevelt hard at work in 1895

Source: J.A. Harris

#18. Cornelius Vanderbilt II house in New York

Source: Marcus Mac

"With the posting of Cornelius Vanderbilt II house in New York, not too long ago I stumbled across this photo of the same house actually during its demolition as it gets ready to be torn down and replaced just like a lot of the gilded age mansions."

#19. Halloween Party in the Home of William & Ethel Hassler

Source: J.A. Harris

"At a Halloween Party in the Home of William & Ethel Hassler at 150 Vermilyea Avenue in Inwood, Upper Manhattan.

This photo was taken on October 31, 1916."

#20. Woolworth Building under construction, ca. 1912

Source: Gustavo Aristizabal

#21. 1880's Crossing the Brooklyn Bridge on foot, by train, by trolly and horse drawn sleigh

Source: Francis Nonnenmacher

#22. Broadway

Source: Tony Santana

"The indigenous Lenape called it Wickquasgeck Trail meaning "birch bark country." It was primarily a trade route among the groups living along its proximity.

The Dutch called it the Heeren Wegh or Heeren Straat, meaning "Gentlemen's Way" or "Gentlemen's Street" – echoing the name of a similar street in Amsterdam – or "High Street" or "the Highway."

After the British took over the city in 1664 it was renamed "Broadway" because of its unusual width."

#23. Victory Arch, 5th. Av. at Madison Sq. Park, 1918

Source: Gustavo Aristizabal

#24. The Indian Cigar Store on Kent Avenue and N.7th Street in Williamsburg, Brooklyn New York, November 1918

Source: J.A. Harris

#25. New York 1906

Source: Daniel Prime Jaroš

#26. Central Park, 1889

Source: Ziv Dotan

#27. The boardwalk, Williamsburg Bridge, New York, USA, c1900s

Source: Inma Zabalza

#28. 3x Great Grandfather, Daniel W. Korner

3x Great Grandfather, Daniel W. Korner. Between 1855 and 1908

Source: Cherie N George Sikes

"Another “cool picture” from the box I’m sorting through.

This is my 3x Great Grandfather, Daniel W. Korner. Between 1855 and 1908 when he passed, he owned and lived above his grocery store. He seems to have moved a few times during those years. All the buildings still stand and it seems the grocery stores are now restaurants.

Anyway I believe this photo was taken in Sept 1907 - the picture isn’t dated but I blew up the calendar on the wall and searched for Armour Star bacon ads of the time. Anyway, it’s a cool photo I thought I’d share."

#29. At Times Square in Manhattan....December, 1912

Source: Daniel Prime Jaroš

#30. Manhattan, 1906

Source: Joe Ross

#31. "Seeing New York" (1905)

Source: J.A. Harris

#32. A view of the "Flatiron" Building from Madison Square Park in Lower Manhattan in 1905

Source: J.A. Harris

#33. Hester Street between Allen and Orchard Streets in Manhattan, New York, in 1938

Source: Joaquín To

#34. A View at Orchard & E. Houston Street on Manhattan's Lower East Side

Source: J.A. Harris

"This photo was taken on September 18, 1929."

#35. Potato vendor in winter days,1892

Source: At that time New York

#36. Manhattan in 1906

Source: Laida Fonte

"I bet some of our ancestors are in this picture."

#37. Here are two women & a dog strolling by Central Park West & W.76th Street in Manhattan in 1905

Source: J.A. Harris

#38. The Trinity Building and the United States Realty Building

Source: Frank T Cadicamo

"Constructed in 1905 and 1907 are the Trinity Building at 111 Broadway (left) and the United States Realty Building at 115 Broadway. Both were dedicated landmarks in 1988."

#39. Fifth Avenue Mansion, New York City, 1920s

Source: Inma Zabalza

#40. Bowling pinsetters, New York City, 1910

Source: Kathy Baldassare

As we reach the end of our journey through time with these 50 enchanting vintage photos of New York City's past, we hope you've enjoyed this glimpse into history.

If you're hungry for more nostalgia, there's always more to explore on our website, AUBTU.BIZ. Keep the curiosity alive and the past in your heart. Until our next journey through time!

Time-Travel Through New York City's Glorious Past With These 40 Vintage Photos

#1. Mott Street In New York City's Chinatown, 1900. (colorized)

#2. Brooklyn Bridge under construction, 1880

#3. 1910 Bx. E149th St. and 3rd Ave

#4. New York, 1920

#5. 5th Ave and 56th Street facing north towards the Vanderbilt House, Plaza Hotel, and entrance to Central Park (1910)

#6. The Upper West Side Circa 1906. "New York, N.Y. -- Broadway, North from 70th Street"

#7. New York World Building, New York City, New York, USA, early 20th century

#8. A Peek down Maiden Lane in Lower Manhattan in 1891

#9. Croton reservoir on 42nd street and 5th avenue ca. 1860 where the New York public library is today

#10. Bleeker and Christopher Streets, nearly a century apart

#11. An Electric Automobile being Charged in NYC in 1911

#12. Jefferson Market Courthouse, New York, 1905

#13. New York 1905. 42nd Street en Park Avenue

#14. Cornelius Vanderbilt II 1883 mansion

#15. Toll gate constructed by the Brooklyn, Flatbush and Jamaica Plank Road Company

#16. Bethesda Fountain, Central Park, New York, USA, c1900

#17. Here is NYC Police Commissioner Teddy Roosevelt hard at work in 1895

#18. Cornelius Vanderbilt II house in New York

#19. Halloween Party in the Home of William & Ethel Hassler

#20. Woolworth Building under construction, ca. 1912

#21. 1880's Crossing the Brooklyn Bridge on foot, by train, by trolly and horse drawn sleigh

#22. Broadway

#23. Victory Arch, 5th. Av. at Madison Sq. Park, 1918

#24. The Indian Cigar Store on Kent Avenue and N.7th Street in Williamsburg, Brooklyn New York, November 1918

#25. New York 1906

#26. Central Park, 1889

#27. The boardwalk, Williamsburg Bridge, New York, USA, c1900s

#28. 3x Great Grandfather, Daniel W. Korner

#29. At Times Square in Manhattan....December, 1912

#30. Manhattan, 1906

#31. "Seeing New York" (1905)

#32. A view of the "Flatiron" Building from Madison Square Park in Lower Manhattan in 1905

#33. Hester Street between Allen and Orchard Streets in Manhattan, New York, in 1938

#34. A View at Orchard & E. Houston Street on Manhattan's Lower East Side

#35. Potato vendor in winter days,1892

#36. Manhattan in 1906

#37. Here are two women & a dog strolling by Central Park West & W.76th Street in Manhattan in 1905

#38. The Trinity Building and the United States Realty Building

#39. Fifth Avenue Mansion, New York City, 1920s

#40. Bowling pinsetters, New York City, 1910

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