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 - 1920 to 1925

Like many other cities in the aftermath of a global war and pandemic, New York was ready to kick off a decade with a spirit of celebration. Society would break much new ground, including a boon in home ownership, and the expansion of civil rights. In the US, the sale of alcohol became prohibited, but this did little to stop the speakeasies which would define nightlife. Many great traditions and institutions were established during this time, including Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and New York Port Authority, The Cotton Club and New Yorker Magazine.

A night time photograph of Broadway and Times Square looking North from 45th Street.

1923: Times Square Looking North

A night time photograph of Broadway and Times Square looking North from 45th Street.

Photograph of construction workers repairing granite stonework for the pavement on a New York City street.

1924: Granite Block Repair in New York City

Photograph of construction workers repairing granite stonework for the pavement on a New York City street.

A photograph of cars and pedestrians making their way around Columbus Circle looking north.

1921: Columbus Circle and 59th Street

A photograph of cars and pedestrians making their way around Columbus Circle looking north.

An aerial view looking towards the southern tip of Downtown Manhattan from the Woolworth Building, which was the tallest building in the world from 1913 to 1930.

1920: View of Downtown Manhattan from the Woolworth Building

An aerial view looking towards the southern tip of Downtown Manhattan from the Woolworth Building, which was the tallest building in the world from 1913 to 1930.

An illustration depicting a bird's eye view of Columbia University, South Field and surrounding campus grounds.

1922: Columbia University from Above

An illustration depicting a bird's eye view of Columbia University, South Field and surrounding campus grounds.

Photograph of downtown Manhattan's iconic skyline from the shores of Jersey City.

1921: Manhattan Skyline from Jersey City

Photograph of downtown Manhattan's iconic skyline from the shores of Jersey City.

Photograph of The New York City Public Library, looking north on 5th Avenue from 42nd Street.

1920: New York City Public Library

Photograph of The New York City Public Library, looking north on 5th Avenue from 42nd Street.

Photograph of Hudson Street, covered with snow and crowded with automobiles, trucks, wagons, and horses.

1920: Snow Storm on Hudson Street

Photograph of Hudson Street, covered with snow and crowded with automobiles, trucks, wagons, and horses.

Photograph of 11 year old Tony, who shines shoes in Union Square making anywhere from $2 to $4 per day.

1924: Shoe Shiner in Union Square

Photograph of 11 year old Tony, who shines shoes in Union Square making anywhere from $2 to $4 per day.

Photograph of The Cunard Building, also known as the Standard & Poors Building - a 22-story office building located at 25 Broadway next to Bowling Green Park.

1921: The Cunard Building

Photograph of The Cunard Building, also known as the Standard & Poors Building - a 22-story office building located at 25 Broadway next to Bowling Green Park.

Photograph of three men participating in a gardening experiment at Bryant Park.

1922: Gardening at Bryant Park

Photograph of three men participating in a gardening experiment at Bryant Park.

Photograph of a crowded street scene in front of The New York City Public Library at 5th Avenue & 40th Street.

1922: Fifth Avenue & 40th Street

Photograph of a crowded street scene in front of The New York City Public Library at 5th Avenue & 40th Street.

Photograph of Yankee Stadium with a lone figure walking towards the camera.

1923: Yankee Stadium

Photograph of Yankee Stadium with a lone figure walking towards the camera.

Photograph taken outside of Yankee Stadium's main entrance.

1923: Yankee Stadium Main Entrance

Photograph taken outside of Yankee Stadium's main entrance.

Photograph of fans waiting to buy their ticket at the right field rgandstand of Yankee Stadium.

1923: Yankee Fans Line Up at Right Field Grandstand

Photograph of fans waiting to buy their ticket at the right field rgandstand of Yankee Stadium.

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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.