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

History of New York City - 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.

Photograph of Minnie Paster, a 10 year old having to work and tend a newspaper stand at Bowery & Bond

1910: Tending a News Stand at Bowery & Bond Street

Photograph of Minnie Paster, a 10 year old having to work and tend a newspaper stand at Bowery & Bond

Young folk selling gum at the exit from the downtown side of the Lexington Avenue subway station

1910: Selling Chewing Gum Near a Subway Station

Young folk selling gum at the exit from the downtown side of the Lexington Avenue subway station

Theodore Roosevelt between Mayor Gaynor and Cornelius Vanderbilt, with hand outstretched to greet Rough Riders at a NYC parade thrown in his honor.

1910: President Roosevelt at NYC Parade

Theodore Roosevelt between Mayor Gaynor and Cornelius Vanderbilt, with hand outstretched to greet Rough Riders at a NYC parade thrown in his honor.

Dramatic image of Manhattan's downtown skyline behind the East River shows steam rising from various smoke stacks. Photographed by Alfred Stieglitz.

1910: The City of Ambition

Dramatic image of Manhattan's downtown skyline behind the East River shows steam rising from various smoke stacks. Photographed by Alfred Stieglitz.

Photograph of the Manhattan Bridge, includes Brooklyn, the East River and downtown Manhattan.

1910: The Manhattan Bridge, New York and Brooklyn

Photograph of the Manhattan Bridge, includes Brooklyn, the East River and downtown Manhattan.

Aerial photograph of the Upper West Side including RIverside Drive north of 74th Street.

1910: Riverside Drive from 74th Street

Aerial photograph of the Upper West Side including RIverside Drive north of 74th Street.

Panoramic vista of the Hudson River  Narrows and its once rural environment. A large cruise ship is seen making its way north along the river.

1910: The Narrows, Hudson River

Panoramic vista of the Hudson River Narrows and its once rural environment. A large cruise ship is seen making its way north along the river.

Photograph of New Yorkers enjoying Bryant Park in front of the New York Public Library.

1910: The New York Public Library and Bryant Park

Photograph of New Yorkers enjoying Bryant Park in front of the New York Public Library.

Aerial photograph of the Herald Square elevated railroad and Sixth Avenue near 34th Street.

1910: Elevated Railroad Through Herald Square

Aerial photograph of the Herald Square elevated railroad and Sixth Avenue near 34th Street.

Overhead photograph shows Sixth Avenue packed with pedestrians and shoppers along the path of the elevated train.

1910: Christmas Shopping on Sixth Avenue

Overhead photograph shows Sixth Avenue packed with pedestrians and shoppers along the path of the elevated train.

Two young messenger boys converse in front of a carriage near Union Square. Most of the messengers worked for telegraph companies or pharmacies.

1910: Messengers at Union Square

Two young messenger boys converse in front of a carriage near Union Square. Most of the messengers worked for telegraph companies or pharmacies.

A citywide heatwave proves to be challenging for all of its inhabitants, especially horses which were still largely responsible for work and transportation.

1910: Horse Overcome by Heat on City Street

A citywide heatwave proves to be challenging for all of its inhabitants, especially horses which were still largely responsible for work and transportation.

Group of men gathered at Union Square helping local horses to stay hydrated during a particularly hot summer.

1911: Watering Horses on a Hot Day

Group of men gathered at Union Square helping local horses to stay hydrated during a particularly hot summer.

Photograph of a charity which provided free shower baths for horses exhausted from heatwaves which are typical of summer in the city.

1911: Free Shower Baths for Horses - Hot Weather Charity

Photograph of a charity which provided free shower baths for horses exhausted from heatwaves which are typical of summer in the city.

Photo shows a horse-drawn garbage wagon with its load dumped in the street during a New York City garbage strike which occurred from November 8-11.

1911: Horse Drawn Garbage Wagon on Strike

Photo shows a horse-drawn garbage wagon with its load dumped in the street during a New York City garbage strike which occurred from November 8-11.


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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.

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.

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
How many historical Images are on this site?

There are currently 714 photos, lithographs, illustrations and maps on this site. Each one has been digitally restored and cleaned up by hand, which makes this collection truly unique.

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.

Can I purchase prints of the historical images available on the site?

History101.nyc is an ad-free and non-profit learning resource. We do not sell prints of these images. All operational costs are covered by Fine Print NYC

Do you accept admissions to this collection?

Absolutely! Feel free to send us an email with a preview of the image and we will let you know if it's a good fit for the archives.

How do you handle feedback or corrections regarding the historical context of images?

We welcome any feedback that you may have. If it proves to be historically accurate the changes will be reflected on the site shortly after our correspondence.

Do you collaborate with other historical societies or archives?

We have collaborated with NYC's Municipal Archives, The Tenemant Museum, Bronx Historical Society and a number of prominent NYC photographers to produce a series of limited edition postcards which free of charge, but only available via street distribution, primarily in Manhattan.

Do you also provide image restoration as a service for personal photos?

Yes, we can repair, restore and cleanup your old family photos, slides and negatives. You can either send us the digital files or the original photos to be professionally scanned.

Can you repair any type of image damage?

We can restore just about any level of damage or signs of aging, within reason. As long as most of the photo is intact we cn work with it. The one flaw we cannot fix is source material that is blurry. A poorly take photo can only be improved so much.

@History101NYC

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History101.NYC is an ad-free learning resource available to the public at no charge.
This project is dedicated to exploring New York’s fascinating heritage through the restoration of vintage photographs and prints.