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History of NYC - 1890s

The 1890s were a pivotal point in NYC history. Washington Square Arch, Carnegie Hall are built and the New York Public Library established while the U.S. Immigrant Inspection Station begins operating on Ellis Island. The City of Greater New York created, consolidating the existing City of New York with the eastern Bronx, Brooklyn, most of Queens County, and Staten Island.

The Port of New York - a bird's eye view from the Battery, looking south.

1890: Aerial View of The Battery

The Port of New York - a bird's eye view from the Battery, looking south.

The Dewey Arch was a triumphal arch that stood from 1899 to 1900 at Madison Square in Manhattan. It was erected for a parade in honor of Admiral George Dewey.

1898: Dewey Arch

The Dewey Arch was a triumphal arch that stood from 1899 to 1900 at Madison Square in Manhattan. It was erected for a parade in honor of Admiral George Dewey.

An aerial photograph of Park Row, also known as Newspaper Row as it became the epicenter of 19th century news.

1890: Newspaper Row

An aerial photograph of Park Row, also known as Newspaper Row as it became the epicenter of 19th century news.

Photograph of commuters waiting to board a New York City streetcar, headed towards 23rd Street and Broadway.

1890: New York Streetcar

Photograph of commuters waiting to board a New York City streetcar, headed towards 23rd Street and Broadway.

Photograph of a horse drawn trolley in front of the Astor House Hotel.

1893: Horse Trolley at Astor House Hotel

Photograph of a horse drawn trolley in front of the Astor House Hotel.

Photograph of a young messenger posing with his bicycle.

1896: New York City Bicycle Messenger

Photograph of a young messenger posing with his bicycle.

Photograph of the Waldorf-Astoria built in 1893 on 5th Avenue, south from 35th Street.

1899: The Waldorf Astoria

Photograph of the Waldorf-Astoria built in 1893 on 5th Avenue, south from 35th Street.

Photograph of a busy East side street lined with Jewish markets and filled with pedestrians.

1899: Jewish Market on the East Side

Photograph of a busy East side street lined with Jewish markets and filled with pedestrians.

Aerial photograph above Union Square filled with people and horses and the Lincoln Statue in the foreground.

1893: Union Square, Looking NorthEast

Aerial photograph above Union Square filled with people and horses and the Lincoln Statue in the foreground.

Photograph of the Decker Building overlooking Union Square. The structure was completed in 1892 for the Decker Brothers piano company, and designed by John H. Edelmann.

1894: The Decker Building, Union Square

Photograph of the Decker Building overlooking Union Square. The structure was completed in 1892 for the Decker Brothers piano company, and designed by John H. Edelmann.

Photograph of a hansom driver standing in front of horse and cab.

1896: Union Square Cab Driver

Photograph of a hansom driver standing in front of horse and cab.

Photograph of Broadway near John Street filled with carriages and pedestrians.

1895: Broadway and John Street

Photograph of Broadway near John Street filled with carriages and pedestrians.

Photograph showing elevated railroad, delivery wagons, streetcars, buildings and people in lower Manhattan.

1896: Along the Bowery

Photograph showing elevated railroad, delivery wagons, streetcars, buildings and people in lower Manhattan.

Photograph of the Statue of Liberty with her torch illuminating the sky over New York Harbor.

1890: Statue of Liberty

Photograph of the Statue of Liberty with her torch illuminating the sky over New York Harbor.

Photograph of the Fulton Ferry crossing the East River with the Brooklyn Bridge in the background.

1895: Fulton Ferry Brooklyn Bridge

Photograph of the Fulton Ferry crossing the East River with the Brooklyn Bridge in the background.

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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.

What Time Periods, Eras, Decades of NYC History are available?

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,

Here's a current list of what is covered:

Dutch Era: When New York Was New Amsterdam

NYC in the 1600s

Georgian Era

NYC in the 1700s • NYC from 1800 to 1850

Victorian Era

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

Progressive Era

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

World War 1

NYC from 1915 to 1920

Art Deco

NYC from 1920 to 1925 • NYC from 1925 to 1930

Depression Era

NYC from 1930 to 1935 • NYC from 1935 to 1940

World War 2

NYC from 1940 to 1945

MidCentury Modern Era

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

Energy Crisis

NYC from 1970 to 1975 • 1975 to 1980

Reagan Era

NYC from 1980 to 1985 • 1985 to 1990
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NOTE: Any form of commercialization or redistribution of these images, either as tangible goods or third party licenses, is expressly forbidden.

Who started History101.nyc?

Joseph Gornail, printer/photographer and founder of Fine Print New York. Joseph grew up in SoHo, Manhattan and is part of a long lineage of NYC printers, learning the family trade from his grandfather. While working for Dolo Records/Stretch Armstrong in 1996, Joseph founded All City Marketing & Printing, and in 1999 Co-Founded the legendary street wear company "Orchard Street " with lifelong friends Benjamin Holloway and Greig Bennett. Fine Print NYC was established in 2004 with a Nike project being the launchpad for a commercial printing company that has not only survived, but thrived in the digital age.

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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