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

History of NYC - 1910 to 1915

At the dawn of another decade, New York’s expansion and cultural influence show no signs of slowing. The New York Public Library’s main branch was completed and just a few blocks away, Grand Central Terminal was rebuilt to a luxurious standard, moving thousands of commuters a day. Pennsylvania Station – an architectural marvel in its own right was also completed during this time, along with The North River Tunnels which would connect New York with New Jersey.

One of the city's busiest intersections filled with shoppers, commuters. The streets are packed with horses and carriages.

1910: Pedestrians on 42nd Street and 5th Avenue

One of the city's busiest intersections filled with shoppers, commuters. The streets are packed with horses and carriages.

Photograph of an elevated perspective of Trinity Church and its surrounding buildings.

1910: Panoramic View of Trinity Church

Photograph of an elevated perspective of Trinity Church and its surrounding buildings.

A bird's eye view of midtown Manhattan featuring the recently completed Grant Central Terminal.

1910: Aerial View of Grand Central Terminal

A bird's eye view of midtown Manhattan featuring the recently completed Grant Central Terminal.

Photograph of The Vanderbilt Hotel which was built at 4 Park Avenue, between East 33rd and 34th Street in 1910-13, and designed by Warren & Wetmore.

1910: The Vanderbilt Hotel

Photograph of The Vanderbilt Hotel which was built at 4 Park Avenue, between East 33rd and 34th Street in 1910-13, and designed by Warren & Wetmore.

Madison Square Garden at the intersection of 5th Avenue and Broadway at 23rd Street. Madison Square is named after James Madison, America's 4th president.

1910: Madison Square Garden

Madison Square Garden at the intersection of 5th Avenue and Broadway at 23rd Street. Madison Square is named after James Madison, America's 4th president.

Photograph shows the James Speyer house, to the right, a mansion at 1058 Fifth Avenue, on the southeast corner of 87th Street,

1910: Speyer House on 87th Street

Photograph shows the James Speyer house, to the right, a mansion at 1058 Fifth Avenue, on the southeast corner of 87th Street,

Aerial photograph of the newly completed Pennsylvania Station shows off the elaborate masonry and scale of this highly ambitious building.

1910: Pennsylvania Station from Above

Aerial photograph of the newly completed Pennsylvania Station shows off the elaborate masonry and scale of this highly ambitious building.

Photograph from an elevated perspective showing 32nd and 33rd Street and 7th Avenue and the facade of Pennsylvania Station as horses and carriages pass by.

1910: Pennsylvania Railroad Station Exterior Facade

Photograph from an elevated perspective showing 32nd and 33rd Street and 7th Avenue and the facade of Pennsylvania Station as horses and carriages pass by.

Pedestrians walk in front of the recently completed Penn Station - whose opulence and grand design would make it one of the city's most cherished landmarks.

1910: East Facade of Pennsylvania Station

Pedestrians walk in front of the recently completed Penn Station - whose opulence and grand design would make it one of the city's most cherished landmarks.

Photograph of pedestrians commuting at the Pennsylvania Station, where the Long Island Railroad opened to the public on September the 8th, 1910.

1910: Pennsylvania Station Interior

Photograph of pedestrians commuting at the Pennsylvania Station, where the Long Island Railroad opened to the public on September the 8th, 1910.

Passengers in the waiting room at Pennsylvania Station, with statue of Alexander Johnston Cassatt, president of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company.

1911: Waiting Room at Pennsylvania Station

Passengers in the waiting room at Pennsylvania Station, with statue of Alexander Johnston Cassatt, president of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company.

Photograph of construction workers at the Brooklyn Navy Yard building a large timber framed ship from the keel up.

1910: Keel of New York, Brooklyn Navy Yard,

Photograph of construction workers at the Brooklyn Navy Yard building a large timber framed ship from the keel up.

Photograph showing the construction of the USS New York at Brooklyn Navy Yard.

1910: Building USS New York at Brooklyn Navy Yard

Photograph showing the construction of the USS New York at Brooklyn Navy Yard.

Shoeshine stand beneath the Third Avenue elevated train in the East Village

1910: Shoeshine Stand on 3rd Avenue and 9th Street

Shoeshine stand beneath the Third Avenue elevated train in the East Village

Photograph of a Frank Villanello, tending his father's shoe shine stand located at 21 Greenwich Avenue

1910: Tending a Shoe Shine Stand on Greenwich Avenue

Photograph of a Frank Villanello, tending his father's shoe shine stand located at 21 Greenwich Avenue


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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.