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History of NYC - 1880s

The 1880’s NYC would see increased commerce and growth in outer boroughs with the completion of both the Brooklyn and George Washington Bridges. Other iconic moments during this decade include the dedication of the Statue of Liberty, the opening of Katz’s Delicatessen and the building of Hotel Chelsea and The Dakota. The Great Blizzard of 1888, also known as the “White Hurricane”, paralyzes the Eastern seaboard, causing temperatures in New York City to fall as much as 60 degrees.

Photograph of workmen constructing the Statue of Liberty in Bartholdi's Parisian warehouse workshop before it was shipped to New York.

1882: Statue of Liberty Construction

Photograph of workmen constructing the Statue of Liberty in Bartholdi's Parisian warehouse workshop before it was shipped to New York.

Photograph of a the trolley tracks on the Brooklyn Bridge. A city worker is seen cleaning the platform on the left while commuters are seen walking on the right.

1898: Brooklyn Bridge Trolley

Photograph of a the trolley tracks on the Brooklyn Bridge. A city worker is seen cleaning the platform on the left while commuters are seen walking on the right.

Various Companies Operated Local Trolley Lines over the Brooklyn Bridge.

1898: Brooklyn Bridge Trolley Station

Various Companies Operated Local Trolley Lines over the Brooklyn Bridge.

A view looking down elevated railroad tracks. A train is approaching around the curve.

1880: New York Elevated Railway

A view looking down elevated railroad tracks. A train is approaching around the curve.

View north along Sixth Avenue shows the Third Judicial District Courthouse, 425 Avenue of the Americas, currently known as Jefferson Market.

1880: Jefferson Market

View north along Sixth Avenue shows the Third Judicial District Courthouse, 425 Avenue of the Americas, currently known as Jefferson Market.

Aerial photograph of City Hall with its neighborhood buildings and surrounding park in downtown Manhattan.

1880: New York City Hall

Aerial photograph of City Hall with its neighborhood buildings and surrounding park in downtown Manhattan.

Aerial photograph of Fifth Avenue looking south with Rutgers Female College on left and Croton Reservoir on right.

1880: Croton Reservoir Looking South

Aerial photograph of Fifth Avenue looking south with Rutgers Female College on left and Croton Reservoir on right.

Photograph of 660 Fifth Avenue - the mansion of William K. and Alva Vanderbilt.

1885: The Vanderbilt Mansion

Photograph of 660 Fifth Avenue - the mansion of William K. and Alva Vanderbilt.

Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi's "Statue of Liberty" is erected on Bedloe's Island, in New York Harbor, becoming a symbol of American freedom and opportunity.

1886: Statue of Liberty Completed

Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi's "Statue of Liberty" is erected on Bedloe's Island, in New York Harbor, becoming a symbol of American freedom and opportunity.

Magazine Illustration depicting the completion of Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science & Art

1853: Construction of Cooper Union

Magazine Illustration depicting the completion of Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science & Art

Photograph shows a view of Fulton Street toward the ferry after snow plows have cleared a path through the blizzard.

1888: Blizzard of 1888 - Fulton Street

Photograph shows a view of Fulton Street toward the ferry after snow plows have cleared a path through the blizzard.

Photograph shows piles of snow taller than a group of men posing in front of a storefront during the Blizzard of 1888.

1888: Blizzard of 1888 - Piles of Snow

Photograph shows piles of snow taller than a group of men posing in front of a storefront during the Blizzard of 1888.

Photograph of pedestrians walking the Promenade of the Brooklyn Bridge, New York City.

1888: The Brooklyn Bridge Promenade

Photograph of pedestrians walking the Promenade of the Brooklyn Bridge, New York City.

An early photograph of the recently opened Brooklyn Bridge promenade - a much needed connection between Manhattan and Brooklyn.

1883: Entrance to Brooklyn Bridge Promenade

An early photograph of the recently opened Brooklyn Bridge promenade - a much needed connection between Manhattan and Brooklyn.

Photograph of East River boats passing underneath the Brooklyn Bridge overpass.

1885: Under The Brooklyn Bridge

Photograph of East River boats passing underneath the Brooklyn Bridge overpass.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What Is History101.nyc?

Welcome to the History of New York City - A Unique Online Gallery of NYC's Origins, Curated and Digitally Restored by Fine Print New York.

We're opening our archives to present this Collection of Vintage Photos, Historical Images and Rare Lithographs. This Exclusive Series of High Quality Art Prints are only Available for Purchase Exclusively on this Site.

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We cover a great portion of the city's history, ranging from its earliest days as New Amsterdam to the late 1980s. Artists are currently working on photos from the 90s to present day,

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Dutch Era: When New York Was New Amsterdam

NYC in the 1600s

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NYC in the 1700s • NYC from 1800 to 1850

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NYC in the 1850s • NYC in the 1860s • NYC in the 1870s • NYC in the 1880s

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NYC in the 1890s • NYC from 1900 to 1905 • 1905 to 1910 • 1910 to 1915 • 

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NYC from 1915 to 1920

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NYC from 1920 to 1925 • NYC from 1925 to 1930

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NYC from 1930 to 1935 • NYC from 1935 to 1940

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NYC from 1940 to 1945

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NYC from 1945 to 1950 • 1950 to 1955 • 1955 to 1960 • 1960 to 1965 • 1965 to 1970

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NYC from 1980 to 1985 • 1985 to 1990
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Steven Garcia, designer/illustrator and creative director of Fine Print New York. Born and raised in Bushwick, Brooklyn. Steven attended Fashion Industries High School and F.I.T. before building a successful career at Saatchi & Saatchi for as a professional retoucher and storyboard artist in 1995. Steven started ShinyDesign in 1998 and partnered with Fine Print in 2004 as the exclusive design firm for the company. Steven has independently worked on major advertising campaigns for many brands over the years, such as Snapple, The Waldorf Astoria and Sony to name a few.

Together, Joseph & Steven are responsible for the curation and direction of the History101.nyc project, which has been under development since 2006. They have a long history of collaborating together, going back as far as 2001 when Joseph was gallery manager and Steven was a curator at The New York City Urban Experience, an art gallery & museum that was located at 85 South Street and owned by Mike Saes of the Nike Bridge Runners and True Yorkers.

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