Curated by Joseph A. Gornail & Steven D. Garcia of Fine Print New York • 315 Madison Avenue • Email Us • 212.619.5446

History of NYC - 1915 to 1920

After years of growth and success, the City faces some of its most harrowing challenges in the form the Influenza Epidemic, which would later become a full-blown pandemic due to its spread during World War 1. All of the city’s workers were issued face masks for protection and citizens were socially distanced to minimize the impact of the virus which would eventually claim the lives of over 50,000 New Yorkers. By contrast, the end of this time period was one of celebration, as the virus subsided and the city celebrated the Allied victory of the Great War, setting the City up for a full decade of decadence.

An illustration depicting an elevated perspective of New York Harbor, buzzing with activity from many ships.

1915: Birds Eye View Lower Manhattan

An illustration depicting an elevated perspective of New York Harbor, buzzing with activity from many ships.

Aerial photograph of downtown Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridge spanning the East River.

1915: Brooklyn Bridge

Aerial photograph of downtown Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridge spanning the East River.

Photograph shows a horse-drawn carriage and automobiles on a city street in strong sunlight.

1916: Horse-Drawn Carriage and Automobiles

Photograph shows a horse-drawn carriage and automobiles on a city street in strong sunlight.

General George R. Dyer, Benjamin Strong, Seward Prosser, J.P. Morgan, Charles H. Sabin, Gates McGarrah and Frank A. Venderlip at NYC's 3rd Liberty Loan Parade.

1918: Multi-Millionaires March in Liberty Loan Parade

General George R. Dyer, Benjamin Strong, Seward Prosser, J.P. Morgan, Charles H. Sabin, Gates McGarrah and Frank A. Venderlip at NYC's 3rd Liberty Loan Parade.

Photograph of military procession at Union Square drumming up support and enlistments for World War 1.

1917: World War I-Recruiting Parade

Photograph of military procession at Union Square drumming up support and enlistments for World War 1.

Photograph of parked cars, locked in place by piles of snow after a blizzard.

1917: Snowbound Automobiles

Photograph of parked cars, locked in place by piles of snow after a blizzard.

Photograph of female transit workers wearing face masks for protection from the highly contagious and deadly flu which was spread far and wide by the war.

1918: Conductorettes Wearing Masks During Pandemic

Photograph of female transit workers wearing face masks for protection from the highly contagious and deadly flu which was spread far and wide by the war.

Mask worn by a street cleaner to check influenza spread. The catch phrase of the New York Health Board to wear masks has been headed: "Better ridiculous than dead"

1918: Influenza Epidemic - Street Cleaner Wearing Mask

Mask worn by a street cleaner to check influenza spread. The catch phrase of the New York Health Board to wear masks has been headed: "Better ridiculous than dead"

Photograph of a mailman wearing a face mask during the deadly avian flu which was sweeping the world.

1918: Influenza Epidemic - Letter Carrier Wearing Mask

Photograph of a mailman wearing a face mask during the deadly avian flu which was sweeping the world.

Photograph of a policeman wearing a mask during the Spanish Flu pandemic. 1700 of these masks were distributed to police throughout the city for protection.

1918: Influenza Epidemic - Policeman Wearing a Mask

Photograph of a policeman wearing a mask during the Spanish Flu pandemic. 1700 of these masks were distributed to police throughout the city for protection.

Photograph of the famous African American regiment arriving home - they never had one of their men captured, and received the Croix de Guerre for their bravery.

1918: 369th Infantry on the Transport Decks

Photograph of the famous African American regiment arriving home - they never had one of their men captured, and received the Croix de Guerre for their bravery.

Photograph of crowds waiting for the parade of the famous 369th Infantry (Harlem Hellfighters).

1918: Crowds at Parade of the Famous 369th Infantry

Photograph of crowds waiting for the parade of the famous 369th Infantry (Harlem Hellfighters).

Some of the men of the 369th Infantry Regiment (aka Harlem Hellfighters) who won the Croix de Guerre for gallantry in action.

1919: 369th Infantry

Some of the men of the 369th Infantry Regiment (aka Harlem Hellfighters) who won the Croix de Guerre for gallantry in action.

Photograph of the 369th Infantry, commonly referred to as "The Harlem Hellfighters" waving an American flag and their infantry colors.

1918: Colors of the 369th Infantry

Photograph of the 369th Infantry, commonly referred to as "The Harlem Hellfighters" waving an American flag and their infantry colors.

Aerial photograph of Victory Way on Park Avenue, showing two pyramids that were covered in German helmets to celebrate Allied victory in the Great War (WW1).

1919: Victory Way on Park Avenue

Aerial photograph of Victory Way on Park Avenue, showing two pyramids that were covered in German helmets to celebrate Allied victory in the Great War (WW1).


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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
Can I License Any of These Images?

Digital licenses are available for educational institutions (schools, universities, non-profit organizations). Please contact legal@fineprintnyc.com to discuss conditions for licensing.

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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This project is dedicated to exploring New York’s fascinating heritage through the restoration of vintage photographs and prints.